Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine facts for kids
The Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine is a special place that remembers Marc Bolan. He was a famous musician from the glam-rock band T. Rex. The shrine is located in Barnes, London, at the exact spot where he sadly died in a car crash on 16 September 1977.
Marc Bolan was a passenger in a car that hit a sycamore tree on Queen's Ride. This road is near Gipsy Lane. Years later, in 1997, a memorial stone was placed there. Then, in 2002, a sculpture (called a bust) of Marc Bolan was added to the site.
How the Shrine Started
Marc Bolan was 29 years old when he died. His girlfriend, Gloria Jones, was driving their purple Mini car when it crashed. The car hit a fence post and then stopped against a sycamore tree. This happened after the car went over a small bridge near Gipsy Lane on Queen's Ride in south-west London.
Right after the accident, fans of Marc Bolan started visiting the site. It became a special place for them to remember him. Newspapers even wrote about this "pilgrimage" by fans starting in 1978.
In September 1997, the Performing Right Society (PRS) placed a memorial stone for Bolan. It faces Gipsy Lane, at the bottom of the hill from the "Bolan Tree" on Queen's Ride.
In 1999, a group called the T-Rex Action Group (TAG) was formed. Their main goal was to take care of the shrine. TAG was given permission to look after the site and the "Bolan Tree" forever. In 2000, TAG built steps up the muddy hill between the tree and the memorial stone. They also made sure the tree was safe so it wouldn't fall.
In 2002, a bronze sculpture of Bolan was revealed. This sculpture was paid for by Fee Warner, who founded the T-Rex Action Group. A Canadian artist named Jean Robillard created it. Marc Bolan's only child, Rolan Bolan, helped to unveil the sculpture.
Remembering Other Band Members
In 2005, special plaques were added to the steps at the shrine. These plaques remember other members of T. Rex who have also passed away. They include Steve Peregrin Took, Steve Currie, Mickey Finn, and Dino Dines. A plaque was also added for Marc Bolan's wife, June Bolan. This was to thank her for helping him become so successful.
Official Recognition
In February 2007, which was 30 years after Marc Bolan's death, the work of the T-Rex Action Group was officially recognized. The English Tourist Board released a new guide called England Rocks. This guide lists 113 important rock 'n' roll sites across England.
In London, 29 sites are listed. Many of these are general places like Abbey Road or Wembley Stadium. However, only Marc Bolan, Jimi Hendrix, and Freddie Mercury are listed in the guide as specific people with their own important sites. This shows how special Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine is.
