Bolan's Rock Shrine
Encyclopedia
Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine is the memorial to Marc Bolan
where he died when the car in which he was a passenger hit a sycamore tree on Queen's Ride in Barnes
, London
on September 16, 1977.
" are the lines "Easy as Picking Foxes from a Tree" and "Woman from the East with her headlights shining". From the very day of the accident the site became a place of pilgrimage to Bolan fans and this was reported in various newspapers from 1978 onwards.
In September 1997 the Performing Right Society installed a Memorial Stone for Marc facing into Gipsy Lane at the base of the embankment from the 'Bolan Tree' located in Queen's Ride. The Memorial Stone was unveiled by Marc's only child - Rolan Bolan. In late 1998 the Daily Mail reported that the Tree was in danger of falling as it was by a busy main road and was becoming unsafe. In 1999 the T-Rex Action Group (TAG) was formed with the specific aim of caring for the site. TAG were granted an in perpetuity lease on the site with ownership and full responsibility for the 'Bolan Tree'. During 2000, TAG built steps up the muddy embankment between the 'Bolan Tree' on Queen's Ride and the PRS Memorial facing Gipsy Lane and took the action needed to make the 'Bolan Tree' safe so that the threat of falling was removed.
In 2002 Marc's only child Rolan Bolan unveiled a Bronze Bust of his Father at the site, paid for exclusively by TAG Founder Fee Warner and sculpted by Canadian sculptor Jean Robillard.
In 2005 Memorial Plaques were fitted to the Steps to remember other members of T-Rex who have also 'passed over': Steve Peregrin Took
; Steve Currie
; Mickey Finn
and Dino Dines
. A Memorial Plaque was also included for June Bolan (née Child) as recognition for her contribution to Marc's success.
In 2007, appropriately the 30th anniversary of Marc Bolan's death, the work done by TAG since 1999 was recognised by The English Tourist Board in their New Guide of Sights of Rock 'n' Roll Importance - 'England Rocks', published in February. The Guide 'England Rocks' features 113 sites in England. In London 29 sights are listed, but many are 'general sights' such as Abbey Road & Wembley stadium which are not 'person specific'. In fact only Marc Bolan
, Jimi Hendrix
& Freddie Mercury
make it in to the Guide in their own right.
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
where he died when the car in which he was a passenger hit a sycamore tree on Queen's Ride in Barnes
Barnes
Barnes is a riverside London suburb in southwest London and in terms of local governance falls under the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is located around west south-west of Charing Cross in a loop of the River Thames, with Hammersmith Bridge at the north end...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on September 16, 1977.
Origins
Marc Bolan died, aged 29, when a purple Mini in which he was travelling as a passenger, collided with the sycamore. Ironically the registration number of the car was FOX 661L and within the lyrics of his single "Solid Gold Easy ActionSolid Gold Easy Action
-External links:* at LyricWiki...
" are the lines "Easy as Picking Foxes from a Tree" and "Woman from the East with her headlights shining". From the very day of the accident the site became a place of pilgrimage to Bolan fans and this was reported in various newspapers from 1978 onwards.
In September 1997 the Performing Right Society installed a Memorial Stone for Marc facing into Gipsy Lane at the base of the embankment from the 'Bolan Tree' located in Queen's Ride. The Memorial Stone was unveiled by Marc's only child - Rolan Bolan. In late 1998 the Daily Mail reported that the Tree was in danger of falling as it was by a busy main road and was becoming unsafe. In 1999 the T-Rex Action Group (TAG) was formed with the specific aim of caring for the site. TAG were granted an in perpetuity lease on the site with ownership and full responsibility for the 'Bolan Tree'. During 2000, TAG built steps up the muddy embankment between the 'Bolan Tree' on Queen's Ride and the PRS Memorial facing Gipsy Lane and took the action needed to make the 'Bolan Tree' safe so that the threat of falling was removed.
In 2002 Marc's only child Rolan Bolan unveiled a Bronze Bust of his Father at the site, paid for exclusively by TAG Founder Fee Warner and sculpted by Canadian sculptor Jean Robillard.
In 2005 Memorial Plaques were fitted to the Steps to remember other members of T-Rex who have also 'passed over': Steve Peregrin Took
Steve Peregrin Took
Steve Peregrin Took was an English musician. He is best known for his membership of the duo Tyrannosaurus Rex with Marc Bolan...
; Steve Currie
Steve Currie
Steve Currie was born in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England. He was best known as the bass player and long term member of the English glam rock band T.Rex....
; Mickey Finn
Mickey Finn (musician)
Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn , was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex , and later, the 1970s glam rock group, T.Rex...
and Dino Dines
Dino Dines
Dino Dines was a keyboardist best known for his work with T. Rex. He also worked with The Apostolic Intervention, The Keef Hartley Band, P.P. Arnold and The Hollies. Dino died of a heart attack in 2004.-External links:*...
. A Memorial Plaque was also included for June Bolan (née Child) as recognition for her contribution to Marc's success.
2007 Official Recognition of the Site as Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
& Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
make it in to the Guide in their own right.