Hi, Not sure what the link is but glad you like Marc’s Shrine. Laser Love, Fee (TAG Founder and Secretary)
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Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine
Barnes, London
Landmarks Barnes | Landmarks London | Memorials Barnes | Memorials London | Music Barnes | Music London
This site is a Must Visit for everyone interested in 1970’s music. London Boy Marc Bolan & T-Rex achieved huge success as the creator of Glam Rock. Friend Ringo Starr described the hysteria dubbed ... show more
- Address:
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Gipsy Lane, Barnes, London SW15 5RG
Tube:
- East Putney Station (0.9 km)
Nearby stations:
- Barnes Station (0.7 km)
- Barnes Bridge Station (1.3 km)
- Contact us:
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Contact via email
Kevin Warner
www.Marc-Bolan.net
www.tag.mercurymoon.co.uk/
- Opening hours:
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Mon - Sat: 7:00 - 23:00
Sun: 9:00 - 23:00
The Shrine is in a private road. Please don't park in it. There is a right of way to WALK through, but please respect the neighbours rights to sleep. -
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- Downloads:
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9 reviews of Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine in English
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The Site where Marc Bolan passed over is the place where so many people say they can feel Marc when they visit and indeed the Bronze shows him looking serene and ‘at peace’ as he oversees his shrine.
It is a unique phenomenon of British (I think) that roadside deaths so frequently result in roadside tributes. I am sure most people reading this will have seen bunches of flowers and other ephemera by the sides of roads, often attached to trees, railings and other things at the scene of the accident where their loved ones either passed over or were fatally injured.
How long the tributes last depends on how long the person is remembered and how much they touched the lives of people around them. In the case of Marc Bolan, he not only touched the lives of millions of members of the public in the UK, Europe and further way, but his legacy through the use of his music in films, adverts or simply replayed on the radio means he now has many fans who were not even born when he died.
Because he touched their lives many are drawn to this place to pay their respects. Many find themselves drawn back time after time. For others it will be a ‘once in a lifetime’ pilgrimage because they live so far away or have other difficulties which restrict their ability to travel.
Although he has a rose bush to show where his ashes are buried elsewhere, it is here that he is fully remembered by the 1997 PRS Memorial, by the Bronze Bust and by the continual flow of visitors who often leave their own ‘marc’ by leaving flowers or a tribute message on the Notice Board or wooden skirt around the Tree itself.
If you visit please take your rubbish away with you and collect any other which is there. In many ways that is the best tribute. Leaving his shrine tidy. Tag visit regularly, but cannot be there 24/7.
Great to see Marc’s Shrine on BBC4 in the programme ‘Pagans and Pilgrims: Britain’s Holiest Places’ Episode 4: Shrines.
Today (23rd April) is a Special Day – its fourteen years since TAG Members Kevin Warner, Myself, and Mark Rowe visited the Shrine to measure up for the Steps, so that the plans could be drawn up and submitted as required by Richmond Borough Council and the Land owners. We were accompanied by Sean Warner and went to the Shrine before heading to Canada House opposite Trafalgar Square for the launch of the Beltane CD. It was a wonderful day made even better by meeting people like Pete Sanders, Marc’s friend and photographer with his lovely wife as well as Sir George Martin, and others.
RIP Marc – Still Rocking and Rolling in the hearts of Thousands of Fans, from us ‘oldies’ to those not born when he died.
GipsyLane77
13 reviews
13 reviews
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I visited the shrine on Sunday 20th January 2013 and managed to get some wonderful pictures of Marc Bolan’s memorial in the snow. It looked amazing covered in a blanket of white. A Marc winter wonderland. Nature is so organic creating such beauty.
Comment Be the first to comment on this review for Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine
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Comment 1 comment on this review
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feemercurymoon, 23 April 2013:Many Thanks (or ‘TANX’ as us Bolan fans say) for your photo. Laser Love, Fee (TAG Founder and Secretary)
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Beautiful Tribute to a Beautiful man. Well worth a visit. Great photo opportunities too. This is a place you can spend time at. Its very peaceful despite the busy road, trains and aircraft. I am sure Marc smiles down on everyone who go there with love in their hearts. He is blessed that there are people who do so much work for him there. I read from someone else that sometimes the place gets vandalised and think this is so mindless. Good to know that its all put right again quickly by the guardians.
Comment 1 comment on this review
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feemercurymoon, 23 April 2013:
Thank You Gardenia16. Laser Love and Hugs to you xxx
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This is a must see for any Mark Bolan Fan, young and old.
Very easy to get too by train, and very close to where he lived at the time of his untimely death.
After his death in 1977 it is as though he became immortalised within the surroundings of the tree that the car, driven by his then girlfriend and mother to his son, hit.
There is a wonderful peaceful feeling around the shrine dedicated to Mark, and some wonderful sentiment written by his fans and placed on a notice board that is well worth reading.
This will certainly bring back some good memories of this Poet, Wizard, Amazing Bright Star.
God bless you Mark and may you live for ever in the hearts of your true fans.
Mark Bolan RIP
Very easy to get too by train, and very close to where he lived at the time of his untimely death.
After his death in 1977 it is as though he became immortalised within the surroundings of the tree that the car, driven by his then girlfriend and mother to his son, hit.
There is a wonderful peaceful feeling around the shrine dedicated to Mark, and some wonderful sentiment written by his fans and placed on a notice board that is well worth reading.
This will certainly bring back some good memories of this Poet, Wizard, Amazing Bright Star.
God bless you Mark and may you live for ever in the hearts of your true fans.
Mark Bolan RIP
Comment 7 comments on this review show all
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gardenia16, 7 November 2012:Yes it is a lovely image isn’t it loeb123 xxx
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feemercurymoon, 7 November 2012:
Tanx for the write up loab123. Its always nice when people like the site and its one of the main reasons for putting up the notice or Memory Board. I’m still amazed at how new messages appear almost daily. My first visit to the site was just 6 days after Marc died. I’ve been a regular visitor ever since. KALMIYH. XXX
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loeb123, 7 November 2012:It is a very special place. Very warming and peaceful.
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loeb123, 7 November 2012:
Please let me know when it is finished, I would love to own a copy.
I think the picture you have on your profile is just great. -
loeb123, 7 November 2012:
No I have not. Can you please let me know the details and I will see if, maybe, I can attend.
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loeb123, 7 November 2012:
I am in the Midlands so no chance of going.
Please let me know how things go! -
feemercurymoon, 23 April 2013:
I hope you’ll be able to make it to Marc’s Shrine loeb123. But in the meantime you can find regularly updated photos on our web site and on our FaceBook Page
https://www.facebook.com/MARC.BOLANS.SHRINE
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Although ive been a fan of Marc all my life (i was 12 when he died), i only got to the tree for the 1st time on his 30th anniversary, ive travelled over from Ireland every year since, & have brought my fiancee, my son, my brother, his son… & the one thing we are all in agreement of is that its a very beautiful tranquil place, what TAG have done there is nothing short of breath taking, & in turn have given every Bolan fan a fitting tribute to the great man…. a must see
Comment 1 comment on this review
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Owner's commentKevin Warner, 24 February 2012:Thank you for letting everyone know the work TAG have done at the site. I watched a TV programme broadcast in 1997 where a tree surgeon was interviewed who stated that Marc’s Tree was dying. This was a year before it appeared in a National Newspaper. We will be putting this club up on the Free TAG Site in the History of the Tree as it shows the tree in 1997 before TAG owned it. I was also re-reading the progress reports about the project which were written during 1999 as TAG gave reports on the background work needed to build the steps
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I visited Marcs shrine at the beginning of August last year and found it a very emotional and spiritual place. I feel honoured to have been there and shall be returning very soon. If you are a Marc Bolan/T Rex fan then this is a visit that has to be done. I would just like to say thankyou again to all the people who have had or have been involved in taking care of this very significant place, you have all worked so hard :0) x x I’m sure marc is smiling down proudly :0)) Much love x x
Comment 5 comments on this review show all
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gardenia16, 7 November 2012:
You are so right they do work so hard.
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bevguinea, 7 November 2012:
Yes they do, I visited just last week , even though the leaves are falling, it is still such a spiritual place….Unfortunately there seem to be certain people on here that call themselves Bolan fans but just like to make sarcastic comments about something they obviously know NOTHING about…Rock On ..Peace and Love x
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DaveHarrison, 7 November 2012:I have been to Marcs shrine twice this year, I agree that it is such a spiritual place. I remember what it was like back in the mid 80’s, i never had the feeling that i have now when i am there, it is so much more of a wonderful place to be. The work that has been done there has i believe saved the site of Marcs tragic and heartbreaking death, for future fans to come and pay respects for many years to come. The work that has been done by all involved is very much appreciated …. I am sure that Marc is smiling down proudly :0)) x x
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feemercurymoon, 9 November 2012:
Many Tanx Dave for the feedback. I know what you mean, although others may disagree, I found the site to be filled with so much sadness when I used to visit in 1977 – 1978 when I moved to London and I was so hurt by the honest review in the 1995 review of the site that commented on the rubbish trapped in the undergrowth and the sense of neglect.
I know that many like the fact that there are steps and the noticeboard. In 2000 when we asked the residents if we could include benches they refused and would not let us add handrails either. Its a balancing act working within the wishes of the residents and within what the majority of Marc Bolan fans want.
I was over joyed when the site was included in the Enjoy England (English Tourist Board) guide to important sites of Rock ‘n Roll sites in 2007.
I think that is of benefit to Marc’s Memory and promoting his name in a positive way worldwide is what it is all about.
I am just so lucky to have had the dream of making the site safe and a positive Tribute to the man I first discovered at the age of eleven, made reality by my husband of thirty three years and our good friend Mark Rowe, neither of whom are actual Marc Bolan fans. But by doing what they did for me, they benefit Marc’s fans everywhere.
xxxxxx -
gardenia16, 9 November 2012:
I’m sure he would be Dave xxx
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This is the place where Marc Bolan crashed and died.
Location: Queens Ride, Putney, London
Watching QI reminded me of this. I remember the sadness at the time and also the jokes about his last hit being a tree. People always make fun of tragedy.
This is the place, and you can even find the specific tree, where glam rock god Marc Bolan died on 16 September 1977. The T Rex singer hit a tree here in his girlfriend’s Mini, and there’s a shrine there too.
Marc was killed instantly, Gloria (who was driving) was severely injured but survived, and once she had recovered, returned to America.
The car was not being driven at excessive speed. The driver was not drunk, or on drugs. The policeman at the time had reason to understand that a wheel had been removed to have a puncture repaired a few days before the crash. There is a possibilty that the wheel had not been retightened enough, came loose, and affected the steering.
Safety crash barriers were installed after the accident. There had been crashes at this spot before.
Mourners at his funeral at Golders Green Crematorium included Rod Stewart, Elton John and David Bowie. Flowers and wreaths were sent from Keith Moon, Gary Glitter and Cliff Richard. His ashes are spread under a rose bush in the Keats Rose Bed, at Golders Green.
On the 20 anniversary of Marc’s Death, their son Rolan, who has no memories of his father, unveiled a monument at the site of the crash, and announced plans to launch his own rock and roll career.
People stand around playing guitars etc..very peaceful. Hard to believe it is over 30 years.
Comment 4 comments on this review show all
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REDSTAR999, 21 September 2008:Well written but so sad. He really was a true icon. RIP.
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podding_about, 21 September 2008:i watched that on QI too
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dele520, 20 March 2010:I will now visit the tree
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gardenia16, 7 November 2012:
I did a few weeks ago dele520. I will upload some photos when I figure out how xx
Comment 3 comments on this review show all
Thanks Fee, Marc Bolan fans owe you so much. Rock On.
Thanks for the thanks :-) xxx
No probs