Marc Bolan (September 13, 1979) Grabräuber bei Marc Bolan

A German‑language feature marking the second anniversary of Marc Bolan’s death, reflecting on his legacy as the star of T. Rex and the continuing devotion of fans who visit his grave each September.

Writer: M. Reitz Artist: Marc Bolan Date: September 13, 1979 Length: 1 page feature

The article commemorates the second anniversary of Marc Bolan’s death on September 16, 1977, and describes how fans continue to visit his grave at Golders Green in London. It discusses the controversy surrounding souvenir hunters who remove items from his gravesite, referred to in the headline as “Grabräuber” (grave robbers). The piece recalls Bolan’s career as the glitter rock idol of T. Rex and his impact on teenage fans in the early 1970s. Photographs show Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn in performance, Bolan with Gloria Jones and their infant son Rolan, and his grave decorated with flowers. The layout is typical of Bravo’s late‑1970s memorial features, combining nostalgia with fan‑culture reportage.

PUBLICATION

Publication: Bravo Magazine (Germany)

Date: September 13, 1979

Country: Germany

Section / Pages: Feature Article

Als Star der Glitzer‑Gruppe T. Rex (mit Mickey Finn, l.), ist Marc bis heute unvergessen.

THE STORY BEHIND IT

Marc Bolan’s death in 1977 was a defining moment for the glam rock generation. By 1979, his music and image remained deeply embedded in European pop culture, especially in Germany where Bravo had chronicled his career since the early 1970s. This feature served as a tribute to his enduring influence and to the fans who continued to celebrate his life each year. It also highlighted the emotional connection between Bolan’s audience and his memory, showing how his glitter era persona remained iconic long after his passing.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: Memorial feature on Marc Bolan’s death anniversary

Era: 1979

Tone: Reverent and nostalgic

Photography: Performance and family images plus grave site photo

Audience: German pop magazine readers and T. Rex fans

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Bravo’s coverage of Marc Bolan reflects the magazine’s role as a bridge between British rock and German youth culture. The article balances personal recollections with fan tributes, illustrating how Bolan’s music and style continued to inspire a new generation. The headline “Grabräuber bei Marc Bolan” adds a sensational tabloid edge to the otherwise affectionate memorial, typical of Bravo’s blend of pop journalism and fan emotion.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Marc Bolan – Bravo Memorial Features (1977–1980)

• T. Rex – German Press Coverage Archive

• Gloria Jones and Rolan Bolan – Family Tributes in Bravo

Additional related entries can be found via the tag index at the foot of the page.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

---

Marc lives on," grieving Bolan fans engraved into the tree in the community park in front of Barnes, where Marc Bolan died in a car accident on September 16, 1977. Thousands of fans will make a pilgrimage to his grave in Golders Green Cemetery on the anniversary of his death to remember him. In their hearts, the T. Rex star, the teen idol of the early 1970s, lives on.

A simple rosebush is all that adorns Marc's grave. The nameplates were repeatedly removed by fans. Until his family gave up trying to put up new ones. "Grave robbers" no longer have a chance. He is buried as he lived, simply and without pomp. For his stage show with his own group, T. Rex, however, nothing was too expensive or too elaborate. For them, he was full of ideas and always had new glittery costumes designed come up with tricks and make-up tricks to keep the fans on their toes. They regularly got their money's worth and enjoyed themselves from the first to the last second of each of his shows. Nevertheless, he adamantly insisted that they never had to pay more than 50 pence (2 marks) for his concerts. Everyone should be able to see him.

Marc, the teen idol, is as timeless as his songs. Even today, every party is in full swing when "Ride a White Swan," "Hot Love," or "Get It On" are played. With "20th Century Boy," Marc paved the way for today's punks as early as 1973. Before David Bowie, crazy make-up and multi-colored manes were his style, and with the electric guitar, he was the first to put on wild stage shows. No one knows better than his fans: Marc was unique. A full-blooded musician with vision and the right feel for what's going on with teenagers. No one could beat showmaster Bolan and his hold a candle to his partner, Mickey Finn.

Privately, he was less happy: his marriage to June Child broke up. She once earned the pennies for both of them so he could devote himself solely to songwriting. He was always grateful to her for that, and today she doesn't regret a single minute of her years with Marc.

He had a happy home and life partnership with Gloria Jones, who drove the ill-fated car. She performed with him on stage and is the mother of his only son, Rolan Bolan, for whom he had big plans: "He'll be a dollar millionaire by 21," Marc announced, and he would certainly have made it happen, for he was just as clever as a businessman and a showman. Unfortunately, his fate was that he had to die shortly after his great role model, Elvis Presley. But his fans remain loyal to him even beyond his death.