U.S.A. (NYC) Remembers Marc in a beautiful Tribute
During that wonderful month of September 1997 it seems the world woke up, once again, to the magic of Marc Bolan. Yes it was a mixture of sadness and celebration ...in the end it was a glorious month. In the U.K. there were many events marking the 20/50 milestone. The unveiling of the Plaque, the Cambridge concert, the London Party etc. Here in the United States there too were events in various cities. By far the biggest and best was the one held in New York City on October 3rd, 4th the added show on the 5th. I attended one of the shows as did fellow Tiller Zoom. As you will see from this Program it was quite an extraordinary group of artists that performed. As important as all the events were I think that the U.S.A.finally recognising Marc's importance (something he so longed for) was the Icing on the cake.
September 22, 1997
Joey Ramone, Patti Rothberg, Others To Play T. Rex Tribute Show
A host of New York-
based musicians and singers will perform at a two-day tribute concert to Marc Bolan and T.
Rex at the downtown New York club Fez on Oct. 3 and 4, to commemorate both the 50th
anniversary of Bolan's birth and the 20th anniversary of his death. Those scheduled to
play include Joey Ramone, Patti Rothberg, Lloyd Cole, Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, Jim
Thirlwell (Foetus), Colleen Fitzpatrick of Eve's Plum, Richard Lloyd of Television, Theo
of the Lunachicks, Mychael Lamorte and Joshua Crookham of Mini King, and Cynthia Sley of
Bush Tetras. More special guests will be announced later.
In addition, the house band will include, among others, drummer Clem Burke of
Blondie, James Mastro (the Bongos) on guitar, Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith Group) on bass,
Clem Waldmann (Ui) on percussion, and Jane Scarpantoni (Lounge Lizards, Nirvana) on cello.
Also performing will be veteran British producer Tony Visconti, the man credited with
shaping the T.
Rex studio sound in the early '70s, as well as most of David Bowie's early
albums.This year's show actually resumes a series of T. Rex anniversary tributes that had taken place in New York from 1987-92, all of which were organized by local musician Joe Hurley of Rogue's March, who is also producing -- and playing in -- this year's event. "This year is such a big anniversary, we felt like we had to do it again," says Hurley. "Plus, with Elvis Presley getting all the attention on the 20th anniversary of his death, we felt like Marc Bolan, who also died in '77, deserved a big show of his own. Most of the musicians playing were heavily influenced by him."
Appropriately enough, the Mercury Chronicles label will release three classic T. Rex albums on Oct. 21: Messing with the Mystic, Light of Love, and Live '77, some copies of which will be given away at the event.
T. Rex is best known in America for the hit "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," but they were also one of the most influential bands of the '70s. Their psychedelic- tinged pop helped define the glitter rock era, with such albums as Electric Warrior and The Slider. Singer/ guitarist Bolan died in a car crash in 1977 at the age of 30.
John Bitzer
Fanx to Zoom Pix from Tony Visconti collection.