Glitter in the Sky: June Child

The Glam Rock Muse Who Shaped Marc Bolan’s World

'She filled in all the pieces that were missing in his (Marc Bolan) life.' Tony Visconti.

June Ellen Child (later Feld-Bolan), born August 23, 1943, in London, England, was a trailblazing music industry figure, model, and manager whose sharp instincts and nurturing spirit propelled the career of T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan. As his wife, lover, and creative confidante during the height of glam rock's glittery explosion, June was far more than a footnote in rock history—she was Bolan's anchor, driver (literally, since he couldn't drive), and a key influence on his flamboyant style. Her life, though cut short, wove through the psychedelic and glam scenes of 1960s-70s London, leaving an indelible mark on music and fashion.

Early Life

Raised in Fulham, London, alongside her sister Sandra, by working-class parents; attended Holland Park Comprehensive School.

After leaving school, she worked in fashion as an importer for Veroniques before transitioning to photography assistance in Hanover Street studios.

By the late 1960s, June had entered the burgeoning music business at Blackhill Enterprises, a management firm handling acts like Pink Floyd. There, she briefly dated and supported the fragile genius Syd Barrett during his mental health struggles, honing her skills as a fixer in the chaotic rock world.

Relationship with Marc Bolan and T. Rex

Met Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld) in 1968 at a London party; four years his senior, she was instantly captivated by his poetic ambition and elfin charm. They fell "madly and totally in love," moving in together after just days.

June became Bolan's unofficial manager, booking gigs, arranging interviews, and chauffeuring him to shows. Dyslexic and bookish, Bolan leaned on her to read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit aloud in bed, fueling his mythic songwriting style.

Married on January 30, 1970, in a simple ceremony; she took his surname, becoming June Feld-Bolan. Their union inspired Bolan's shift from folkish Tyrannosaurus Rex to the electric glam of T. Rex, with hits like "Ride a White Swan" (1970) and "Hot Love" (1971).

June nurtured Bolan’s vibrant wardrobe of satin and sequins, complementing the glam rock aesthetic pioneered by stylist Chelita Secunda, who applied glitter to Bolan’s cheeks for his iconic March 1971 Top of the Pops performance of “Hot Love,” a moment that ignited the glam revolution and influenced peers like David Bowie.

The couple had no children together, but their home was a hub for rock's elite, blending bohemian creativity with high-society glamour.

Career and Influence

As a model in swinging London, June rubbed shoulders with photographers like David Bailey and appeared in magazines, embodying the era's mod-to-glam aesthetic.

Her business acumen at Blackhill extended to T. Rex; she handled logistics during their breakthrough, including the psychedelic soul of albums like Electric Warrior (1971) and The Slider (1972).

Post-separation, June remained a guardian of Bolan's legacy, contributing to documentaries, reissues, and fan events. Her support for tribute acts like T.Rextasy, the premier T. Rex tribute band, ensured Marc’s music lived on authentically through electric performances and Tyrannosaurus Rex-era folk tributes.

Personal Life and Later Years

The marriage frayed by 1973 amid Bolan's affairs, including his relationship with American singer Gloria Jones (with whom he had a son, Rolan, in 1975). They separated but never finalized a divorce—June remained legally his wife until his death.

In her later years, June enjoyed a long-term relationship with drummer Paul Varley (of Dave Allen & The Arrows) starting in 1976 and had a daughter, Ilona, in 1978. She lived quietly in London, occasionally attending T. Rex tributes and reflecting fondly on Marc as her "best friend."

Struggled with health issues, including alcohol abuse; passed away on August 31, 1994, at age 51, from a heart attack while on holiday in Turkey, just days after her 51st birthday. Her death echoed the tragic symmetry of Bolan's fatal car crash on September 16, 1977 (at age 29), in which Gloria Jones was driving.

Legacy

June's story underscores the unsung women of glam rock—mentors who turned raw talent into stardust. Without her, Bolan's Tolkien-fueled fantasies might never have reached the stage.

Her influence endures through T. Rex revivals like T.Rextasy, endorsed by Bolan’s estate, and in books like Mark Paytress's Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar. At what would be 82 in 2025, June endures as a symbol of rock's romantic, rebellious heart—glamorous, grounded, and gone too soon.