Marc Bolan - the name of the guitarist, songwriter and performer is known to every rocker. His short, but very bright life can be an example of the unbridled pursuit of excellence and leadership. The leader of the legendary band T. Rex forever left a mark on the history of rock and roll, standing on a par with such musicians as Jimi Hendrix, Sid Vicious, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
Childhood and youth of Marc Bolan
Mark Feld, who later adopted a pseudonym in honor of the famous musician Bob Dylan, was born on September 3, 1947 in Hackney, in a poor area of London, in a family of simple workers. From early childhood, along with a passion for science fiction and history, the guy was interested in music.
Then there was a new rhythmic style of music - rock and roll. Like many of his peers, young Mark saw himself on stage, saying hello to millions of fans.
The first instruments that the guy mastered were drums. Then there was the study of guitar art. From the age of 12, the young musician participated in school concerts. However, the freedom-loving character of the rebel showed up too early, and the guy was expelled from school when he reached 14 years old.
By this time, the guitarist was no longer interested in studying, all his dreams were about the big stage. With a firm determination to become a star, he left the educational institution.
Difficult road to glory Marc Bolan
The first steps towards future popularity were acoustic performances with the first written compositions in London pubs. The guy began to be recognized, but this success was not enough to satisfy ambitions. At the same time, Mark met Alan Warren, who produced the musician. The collaboration resulted in two compositions recorded at a professional studio - Beyond the Rising Sun and The Wizard.
Significant success was never achieved, and this was the reason for parting with an unproductive producer. Mark survived the period of apathy by getting a job as a model. But soon he regained his strength, found an old friend, Simon Nappy Bell, who arranged the musician in one of the John's Children projects. The quartet, performing music in the style of punk and rock, was distinguished by insane behavior on stage with constant scandals.
The work in the team quickly got tired of the author of the compositions, who was not allowed to perform his own songs. Mark could not be on the sidelines, he had to become the leader of a new group. Soon he left the band and found a young drummer Steve Took, with whom he created the band Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The guys began to perform songs composed by Mark in acoustic form. The musicians allocated insignificant earnings for recording. So their compositions began to appear on the radio. The group recorded three albums for two years, which could not become successful.
The Rise of Marc Bolan's Popularity
The situation began to change in the 1970s. It was then that Steve Took left the band, and Mickey Finn took his place. After that, Mark decided to change the acoustic guitar to an electric one. At the same time, he proposed to his longtime girlfriend June Child. And after the wedding, the artist took a short break to prepare new material.
Another producer, Tony Visconti, helped to record the composition Ride a White Swan, thanks to which the author became popular. The change in the band's sound coincided with the shortening of the name to T. Rex and the expansion of the band's membership. The pioneers of glam rock began to record studio albums, where almost every song became a XNUMX% hit.
The popularity of the team has increased like an avalanche. They were invited to television, such luminaries as Ringo Starr, Elton John and David Bowie, who became a close friend of the leader of the group, wanted to cooperate with them. Constant touring and disagreements in the team gradually led to the fact that the composition of the group began to change.
This could not but affect the quality of the band's sound, and popularity began to decline. Mark's divorce from his wife was a serious blow, after which he left the stage for three years. But he continued to work on material for new songs.
Decline of Marc Bolan's career
The singer's health began to deteriorate. He began to use drugs, gained extra pounds, practically did not follow his appearance. The saving straw was the acquaintance with Gloria Jones. Their romance developed rapidly, and soon the singer gave the musician a son.
Mark pulled himself together, lost weight, began to appear more often in public. Trying to regain the former glory and popularity of the group, he tried to build relationships with former members. However, creative differences could not be overcome.
Mark became a member of several popular TV shows. His last show was a duet with old friend David Bowie in September 1977. And just a week later, the musician's life was tragically cut short. He died in a car accident while returning with his wife. Mark was in the passenger seat when the car crashed into a tree at high speed. Only two weeks left until the 30th anniversary.
Marc Bolan passed away in the prime of life, like many talented musicians. It is not known what other peaks he could achieve in his work. But it is clear that his singing has become an inspiration for many bands, as well as the desire for success has been an example for hundreds of aspiring musicians.
