The Untold Truth Of T. Rex

Marc Bolan worked as a model, appearing in magazine spreads and cardboard cutouts in clothing stores; years later, Bolan would draw upon his model work and become the long-haired, tight-pants-wearing, glitter king of the 1970s, according to the Independent. Bolan would gravitate towards music and eventually meet musician and vocalist Steve Peregrin Took. They called themselves Tyrannosaurus Rex and wrote psychedelic folk songs for their first four records. The duo would form a bond and work with producer Tony Visconti who helped them achieve their sound. "What I saw in him was raw talent," Visconti said in an interview with the Guardian. "I saw genius. They were a folk duo, but I saw a potential rock star in Marc – right from the minute, the hour I met him."

In 1968, the band's first single, "Debora," peaked at number 34 and their debut album, My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair...But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brow, reached number 15 on the UK Album Chart, per Discogs. Tyrannosaurus Rex would release three more albums hoping for more success, but their sound and look limited them to the underground market. Bolan wanted to remain on top in the genre but his artistic reach and need for an even bigger spotlight would only remain stunted until taking a leap of faith and changing everything about the band only a few years later.

Before Bolan reached his success with T. Rex, the legendary rocker began a friendship with another Brit who would later become the face of the glam rock movement: David Bowie. Bolan and David Bowie first met while painting an office. Bolan introduced himself as "King Mod," and followed up with, "Your shoes are crap," per Rolling Stone. The kids would form a deep friendship and a rivalry that would challenge each other's artistry. As Bolan's career rose with T. Rex, Bowie's still lagged behind at that point.

In 1969, Bolan invited Bowie to open for T. Rex, not as a musical artist, but as a mime. Bowie performed a one-man routine of a mime portraying China's invasion of Tibet, as per Mental Floss. As it turned out, Bowie actually had experience as a mime and trained under choreographer (and Marcel Marceau protégé) Lindsay Kemp. Bowie's act was "ruined by heckles of left-wing students and hippies irate over his damning portrayal of China's Red Guard," wrote Simon Goddard in Ziggyology: A Brief History of Ziggy Stardust, via Mental Floss. Bowie's performances were received negatively, and Bolan got a kick out of it (as would anyone), but it wouldn't be long until Bowie's career would take off with the release of his album Space Oddity. The two would remain friends, however, their relationship would strain over the years.

T. Rex made friends with lots of other famous musical artists during their career. One of their most notable fans and friends was none other than Ringo Starr of the Beatles. Starr took a liking to Bolan and the band whose prominence in England was compared to his former band. Starr would team up with the band, filming the concert movie Born to Boogie, their March 1972 concert at an arena in Wembley, as per Courant. The movie featured lots of trippy footage in between songs filmed from their evening concert, one of two shows the band performed that day.

Fans of both T. Rex and the Beatles were treated to clips of Starr dressed up like a dormouse sitting next to Bolan while driving a '48 Cadillac convertible down an airport runway; in the background is a cut-out of Bolan, drifting across the screen. Another scene features Bolan playing "Tutti Frutti" and "Children of the Revolution" with Elton John and Starr. And it gets even weirder. There's another scene of English actor, Geoffrey Bayldon, serving hamburgers to a group dressed like nuns and other random people in John Lennon's yard.

According to Louder, in June 1976, Marc Bolan released a single called, "I Love to Boogie," which placed number 13 on the UK charts and helped set him up for a comeback after a string of declining record sales. The song led to a one-off TV special, Rollin' Bolan, which later turned into an offer for a TV series Bolan would host, called Marc. "He was very excited — as you would be," musician Steve Harley said in an interview. "He saw every little appearance on the small screen as making him more famous in Sainsbury's. Marc loved it all. He loved all the adulation and the recognition. He thrived on it."

"Marc was grateful to have a second chance," Tony Visconti said. "He loved kids and he loved kids' TV shows. That was how Geoffrey Bayldon [the actor in Catweazle] got a part in the Born to Boogie movie. Marc was back on form. He was the cosmic punk again." T. Rex would perform, playing new versions of old hit songs, and other artists, both upcoming and well-known, would get a chance to perform on the show. Punk bands would be showcased. The show only lasted for 6 episodes, with the last show airing after Bolan's death.

In the spring of 1974, Marc Bolan distanced himself from T. Rex. The glam rocker would go on cocaine and booze binges and eventually dedicated much of his time to his new love, American singer, Gloria Jones, per Louder. Over the next few years, Bolan would try to straighten himself out. By 1977, Bolan had gotten rid of his drug habit, had become humbler, taken better care of his physical health, and his songwriting was getting better. However, all that progress would come to an end, and the world would lose one its most innovative rock stars of the 1970s. It started when Jones had recently come back to England after recording an album in California.

On September 16, 1977, Bolan and Jones went to Morton's restaurant and stayed out until around four o'clock in the morning. The two left in a purple Mini 1275 GT and made their way home to their house in Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen. Just before five o'clock, Jones, who had been driving, crashed into a tree. They were almost a mile from home. Bolan was kill instantly and Jones was badly injured. Bolan passed away only two weeks shy of his 30th birthday.

After Marc Bolan passed, his son, Rolan, was only two years old, and his mother, Gloria Jones, was still injured from the crash. Bolan's passing also came at a time when the singer was trying to slow down his lifestyle and be there for his family. Since Bolan was still legally married to partner June Child, Jones and Rolan wouldn't have access to Bolan's estate. According to Far Out Magazine, both Rolan and his mother were relatively destitute: "My mother went from a millionaire lifestyle to virtual poverty," Rolan explained. "We lived in Los Angeles and things got very tough."

Just when things seemed they couldn't get any worse, there was a light shining from a Starman, who gracefully stepped up to help out his fallen friend's family. David Bowie had been appointed the godfather of Rolan. Bowie would put his efforts into making sure both Jones and Rolan were doing well financially until 1994, after Bolan's legal wife passed.

"David's generosity helped us to survive," Rolan said. "It wasn't just the financial help — He kept in regular touch by phone and his first and last words were always: 'Don't hesitate to tell me if there's anything I can do.'" David Bowie truly lived up to his song, "Heroes."