"Every dawn of our lives a heart is forged and
Linked with lore to one so similar
Born with blessed life dust
Stored beneath its soul
To bless and pass onto it's children
Even though the wind may blow it all away
Don't ever worry 'cos I'm your friend"
Marc's death
I had been a fan of Marc Bolan (and T.Rex) since 1971, when Hot Love hit No.1 in the charts.
I bought all the singles and albums Marc released subsequent to this song - right up to the I Love To Boogie single in 1976.
I had missed out on buying his last couple of singles The Soul of My Suit and Dandy In The Underworld. However, I had been watching his ITV show "Marc" and they were on my wish-list.
I bought all the singles and albums Marc released subsequent to this song - right up to the I Love To Boogie single in 1976.
I had missed out on buying his last couple of singles The Soul of My Suit and Dandy In The Underworld. However, I had been watching his ITV show "Marc" and they were on my wish-list.
I was 17 years old and attending 6th Form studies at my school in central London.
I woke early on the morning of 16th September 1977 and jumped in the bath. As usual, I turned the transistor radio on while I bathed. It was newstime on Noel Edmunds Radio One Breakfast Show. The newsreader suddenly announced "The pop star Marc Bolan...." (I turned the radio up, so I could hear this latest piece of news better)...."has been killed in a car crash.....".
I couldn't believe my ears. I sat in the bath stunned.
Could this be true? Surely they have made a mistake?
No, this terrible news was correct. I don't think I shed a tear - I was too shocked.
I got out the bath and continued getting ready for school. I spoke briefly to my father about Marc's death, and sullenly left the house.
I remember arriving at school and seeing my best mate Robin Dutt and a couple of other mates, who were also Marc Bolan fans. We didn't utter a word. The look in our eyes said it all. We knew that each other had heard the tragic news and at this stage we did not want to discuss things.
Later in the day, I recall our Geography teacher, Mr Woolgar, commented "What's wrong with everyone today, you're all so quiet.....?" It was then explained to him that Marc Bolan had been killed.
I woke early on the morning of 16th September 1977 and jumped in the bath. As usual, I turned the transistor radio on while I bathed. It was newstime on Noel Edmunds Radio One Breakfast Show. The newsreader suddenly announced "The pop star Marc Bolan...." (I turned the radio up, so I could hear this latest piece of news better)...."has been killed in a car crash.....".
I couldn't believe my ears. I sat in the bath stunned.
Could this be true? Surely they have made a mistake?
No, this terrible news was correct. I don't think I shed a tear - I was too shocked.
I got out the bath and continued getting ready for school. I spoke briefly to my father about Marc's death, and sullenly left the house.
I remember arriving at school and seeing my best mate Robin Dutt and a couple of other mates, who were also Marc Bolan fans. We didn't utter a word. The look in our eyes said it all. We knew that each other had heard the tragic news and at this stage we did not want to discuss things.
Later in the day, I recall our Geography teacher, Mr Woolgar, commented "What's wrong with everyone today, you're all so quiet.....?" It was then explained to him that Marc Bolan had been killed.
The facts
Marc and his girlfriend, Gloria Jones, were out in central London on the evening of Thursday 15th September 1977. They were eating and drinking in Mortons in Berkeley Square. They were accompanied by Gloria's brother, Richard Jones.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Gloria took to the wheel of the purple Mini 1275 GT (registration plate FOX 661L) and headed home to 142 Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen. However, they did not arrive there. After negotiating a humpback bridge on Queen's Ride, near Gypsy Lane, the car lost control. It left the road and crashed into a sycamore tree. Marc was killed instantly and Gloria was unconscious.
The couple had been followed home in another car containing Richard Jones. He soon came across the accident and called for help. Marc had died at round 4am.
PC David Hardman was at the scene within minutes of the crash. He has said that he thought the car was not being driven at excessive speed and he did not think that the driver (Gloria) was drunk or on drugs. He believed that a car wheel had been removed a few days earlier to fix a puncture and that this might not have been tightened properly, causing the crash....
In the early hours of Friday morning, Gloria took to the wheel of the purple Mini 1275 GT (registration plate FOX 661L) and headed home to 142 Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen. However, they did not arrive there. After negotiating a humpback bridge on Queen's Ride, near Gypsy Lane, the car lost control. It left the road and crashed into a sycamore tree. Marc was killed instantly and Gloria was unconscious.
The couple had been followed home in another car containing Richard Jones. He soon came across the accident and called for help. Marc had died at round 4am.
PC David Hardman was at the scene within minutes of the crash. He has said that he thought the car was not being driven at excessive speed and he did not think that the driver (Gloria) was drunk or on drugs. He believed that a car wheel had been removed a few days earlier to fix a puncture and that this might not have been tightened properly, causing the crash....
The funeral
I was full of grief about Marc's passing.
I needed to pay my respects and I wanted to go to his funeral.
How would I find out details of the service?
I thought long and hard, and I considered that the staff at Record Mirror must know the details. Marc had worked as a columnist at Record Mirror for a few months. He was obviously close to the people there. Surely they would know?
I phoned Record Mirror. I was advised that the funeral would be in the afternoon of Tuesday 20th September. It would be a cremation and would be held at the Golder's Green Crematorium in Hoop Lane, NW11. Marc's parents had said that fans would be welcome to attend.
I needed to pay my respects and I wanted to go to his funeral.
How would I find out details of the service?
I thought long and hard, and I considered that the staff at Record Mirror must know the details. Marc had worked as a columnist at Record Mirror for a few months. He was obviously close to the people there. Surely they would know?
I phoned Record Mirror. I was advised that the funeral would be in the afternoon of Tuesday 20th September. It would be a cremation and would be held at the Golder's Green Crematorium in Hoop Lane, NW11. Marc's parents had said that fans would be welcome to attend.
I remember that I went to school as normal that day.
Despite my efforts talking to some of the Bolan fans, nobody wanted to come with me to the funeral. My friends were too upset. I therefore bunked of school in the afternoon (I think I missed sports) and headed to Golders Green. I knew the area well, as I only lived 10 minutes drive away in West Hampstead. However, I had not been to the crematorium before, but found it without trouble.
As I arrived, I waited in the car park at the front of the crem, near to the main chapel.
The car park was full with a couple of hundred people standing around. I would say half were friends, family and celebrities. The other half were fans.
I recall seeing Sally James (presenter of LWT's Saturday Scene) and Mike Mansfield (presenter and producer of LWT's Supersonic show) huddled together with Tony Visconti and wife Mary Hopkin looking very somber near the arches.
I seem to recall Dave Vanian and Rat Scabies (The Damned) standing around. Rod Stewart turned up in a limo, wearing dark glasses and a dark suit. He mixed with the fans. Two blonde fans hooked onto him, and they all walked around looking at the floral tributes and reading the cards.
David Bowie swept in. He was in an enormous limo. He jumped out wearing shades and a trilby hat. He was ushered by security straight into the chapel. He didn't make contact with anyone.
I remember seeing Marc's Mum (who was visibly distraught) and Dad, together with his brother Harry and other family members. Richard Jones (Gloria's brother) was there, dressed in a cape, hat and dark glasses. He walked around talking to people.
Then the hearse arrived with Marc's coffin. All eyes were on it. Fans wept as the coffin was carried in to the chapel. The coffin was so small - you just knew it contained Marc.
It was announced that the actual service could be attended by invited family and friends only. Friends and family were ushered into the chapel.
However, loud speakers had been placed outside - so that fans could hear the service. I recall Rabbi Henry Goldstein mentioning in the service about there being two Marcs. Marc Feld - the loving son and father, and Marc Bolan - the pop star. Also, I recall Marc's mum Phyllis being so distraught you could hear here sobbing throughout the proceedings.
Also, during the proceedings Martin Lee and Sandra Stevens (singers in Brotherhood of Man) left early. Martin was wearing a kippah for the Jewish ceremony. Sandra had been overcome with emotion and decided to wait outside.
I remember looking at all the floral tributes for Marc. The was a enormous white swan (depicting his first big hit single, Ride A White Swan). This had been sent my Marc's manager Tony Howard. Also, there were flowers from Cliff Richard, Elton John, Keith Moon, Gary Glitter and Slade.
Other attendees at the funeral
Other attendees of the funeral, not already mentioned, were:
Jake Hooker (from The Arrows) and Lorna Luft
Mickey Finn
Tony Newman
Herbie Flowers
Jack Green
Steve Currie
Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel)
Colin Wild (Marc's clothes designer)
Linda Lewis
Alvin Stardust
Jake Hooker (from The Arrows) and Lorna Luft
Mickey Finn
Tony Newman
Herbie Flowers
Jack Green
Steve Currie
Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel)
Colin Wild (Marc's clothes designer)
Linda Lewis
Alvin Stardust
After the funeral
At the end of the funeral I mingled with fans and read the cards attached to the floral tributes.
I was upset that some fans were asking pop stars for their autographs. I seem to remember Rod Stewart quite rightly refusing.
The two young Bolan girls who had tagged on to Rod left with him in a car. The Daily Mirror journalist, Hilary Bonner, approached me. I thought she was going to ask me how sad I was at Marc's death and how it had affected me. Instead, she was more concerned as to whether I knew the fans of the girls who had gone off with Rod. That's the press for you...
I was upset that some fans were asking pop stars for their autographs. I seem to remember Rod Stewart quite rightly refusing.
The two young Bolan girls who had tagged on to Rod left with him in a car. The Daily Mirror journalist, Hilary Bonner, approached me. I thought she was going to ask me how sad I was at Marc's death and how it had affected me. Instead, she was more concerned as to whether I knew the fans of the girls who had gone off with Rod. That's the press for you...
Why I published this site
I was deeply affected by Marc's passing.
I was touched by being able to attend his funeral and pay my last respects.
Wherever I am, I always remember the 16th September, the day Marc was killed. For the first few years following Marc's death I always went back to Golder's Green on the day - to pay my respects.
I now no longer live in London, so this journey is more difficult. However, when possible I still try to attend.
I am amazed that there is so little on the internet about Marc's death and his subsequent funeral. I therefore I would write these few pages for fans to read my account of the day - and to formalise my memories and document this piece of history on the web.
David Kemp
August 2011
If anyone wants to contact me, please email [email protected]
I was touched by being able to attend his funeral and pay my last respects.
Wherever I am, I always remember the 16th September, the day Marc was killed. For the first few years following Marc's death I always went back to Golder's Green on the day - to pay my respects.
I now no longer live in London, so this journey is more difficult. However, when possible I still try to attend.
I am amazed that there is so little on the internet about Marc's death and his subsequent funeral. I therefore I would write these few pages for fans to read my account of the day - and to formalise my memories and document this piece of history on the web.
David Kemp
August 2011
If anyone wants to contact me, please email [email protected]
ETERNAL FLAME
By Jack Horne
You rose above the wreckage of the car,
And danced your way into the sky,
The screams and sirens like guitars:
They wailed, ‘Too beautiful to die.’
I see the spot your ashes lie,
With roses planted by your name.
Your smile is etched upon the clouds;
Your memory eternal flame.
By Jack Horne
You rose above the wreckage of the car,
And danced your way into the sky,
The screams and sirens like guitars:
They wailed, ‘Too beautiful to die.’
I see the spot your ashes lie,
With roses planted by your name.
Your smile is etched upon the clouds;
Your memory eternal flame.