Who Is Marc Bolan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on September 30, 1947, Marc Bolan's life was tragically cut short when he passed away on September 16, 1977, at the age of 29. Though he lived a brief life, his impact on music continues to resonate through various genres. Bolan's innovative style and sound shaped an entire generation of musicians and fans. He founded the band T. Rex in 1967, leading to the band's soaring popularity in the early 1970s with hits like "Get It On" and "20th Century Boy."
| Occupation | Rock Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1947 |
| Age | 29 Years |
| Birth Place | Homerton, London, England |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 16 September, 1977 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Marc Bolan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Marc Bolan stood at an approximate height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and weighed around 140 lbs (63.5 kg) during his peak years. Known for his flamboyant fashion sense, Bolan often sported glittery outfits and platform shoes, embodying the essence of glam rock. His slender physique contributed to his distinctive on-stage presence, making him a beloved figure among fans.
Later in 1977, Granada Television commissioned Bolan to front a six-part series called Marc in which he hosted a mix of new and established bands and performed his own songs. By this time Bolan had lost weight, appearing as trim as he had during T. Rex's earlier heyday.
The show was broadcast during the post-school half-hour on ITV earmarked for children and teenagers and it was a big success. One episode reunited Bolan with his former John's Children bandmate Andy Ellison, then fronting the band Radio Stars.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Due to the nature of his brief life, details about Marc Bolan's personal relationships remain of significant interest. He was in a long-term relationship with singer Gloria Jones, who was not only his muse but also the mother of his son, Rolan Bolan. The couple's relationship was complicated by the demands of fame and its toll on personal lives. Throughout his life, Bolan also had various romances, but Gloria remained the most prominent figure in his love life.
His father was an Ashkenazi Jew with roots in Russia and Poland, while his mother was English, originally from Fulham. Moving to Wimbledon, southwest London, he fell in love with the rock and roll of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Arthur Crudup and Chuck Berry and hung around coffee bars such as the 2i's in Soho.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Marc Bolan's estimated net worth was about $10 million, largely derived from his music career, record sales, and tour revenues. Considering inflation and the lasting popularity of his music, one could speculate that his estate continues to generate income through royalties and licensing deals. Bolan's influence in pop culture, particularly through T. Rex's iconic tracks, has ensured that his legacy remains financially fruitful even decades after his passing.
In 1972, he achieved two more UK number ones with "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru" taken from The Slider, and two number twos in "Children of the Revolution" and "Solid Gold Easy Action". In the same year he appeared in Born to Boogie, a documentary by Ringo Starr about T. Rex including a concert filmed at London's Wembley Empire Pool in March 1972.
Mixed in were surreal scenes shot at John Lennon's mansion in Ascot and a session with T. Rex joined by Ringo Starr on a second drum kit and Elton John on piano. At this time T. Rex record sales accounted for about six per cent of total British domestic record sales. The band was reportedly selling 100,000 records a day; however, no T.
Rex single ever became a million-seller in the UK, despite many gold discs and an average of four weeks at the top per number one hit. No T. Rex record was certified until 1985, as the record company had to pay for it, which Bolan's did not in the 1970s.
Career, Business, and Investments
Marc Bolan's career took off with the formation of T. Rex, which became one of the leading bands of the glam rock movement. His ingenious songwriting and performance style earned him a massive following and solidified his status as a rock legend. Besides his music career, Bolan also ventured into film and television, often appearing as a guest on various shows in the 1970s. Although his life and career were cut short, Bolan's impact on the music industry is still celebrated.
In the late 1960s, he rose to fame as the founder and leader of the psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex, with whom he released four critically acclaimed albums and had one minor hit "Debora". Bolan had started as an acoustic singer-writer before heading into electric music prior to the recording of T.
Rex's first single "Ride a White Swan" which went to number two in the UK singles chart. From 1970 to 1973, T. Rex encountered a popularity in the UK comparable to that of the Beatles, with a run of eleven top ten singles, four of which reached number one: "Hot Love", "Get It On", "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru".
The 1971 album Electric Warrior, with all songs written by Bolan, received critical acclaim, reached number 1 in the UK and became a landmark album in glam rock. From 1973, he started marrying rock with other influences, including funk, soul, gospel, disco and R&B.
Social Network
In 2025, fans of Marc Bolan can keep alive his legacy through various social media platforms dedicated to his music and influence. While Bolan himself was not part of contemporary social media, posts about his music, interviews, and fan tributes can be found on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook under hashtags such as #MarcBolan and #TRex. These channels ensure that new generations continue to discover and appreciate his work.
Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter and poet. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex. Bolan strongly influenced artists of many genres, including glam rock, punk, post-punk, new wave, indie rock, Britpop and alternative rock.
He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of T. Rex.
Education
Marc Bolan did not have extensive formal education as he began focusing on music at a young age. He attended the well-known Chiswick Community School, which served as a breeding ground for his artistic talent. His passion for music and performance was evident early on, and he largely educated himself through his experiences within the music industry.
With his lasting influence and relentless spirit, Marc Bolan is a figure that will forever remain in the hearts of music enthusiasts around the world. As we look back at his extraordinary life in 2025, his contributions continue to inspire countless artists and fans to this day.
Bolan was a pupil at Northwold Primary School, Upper Clapton. At the age of nine, he was given his first guitar and began a skiffle band. While at school, he played guitar in "Susie and the Hula Hoops", a trio whose vocalist was a 12-year-old Helen Shapiro.
During lunch breaks at school, he would play his guitar in the playground to a small audience of friends. At 15, he was expelled from school; according to one of his friends: "He'd done something wrong and he went to see the headmaster, or the deputy headmaster, Mr Pearson. He said he was going to give him the cane and Mark said no.
He told him to hold out his hand and Mark nutted him."
