Bolan fans mark anniversary

Bolan died in a car crash 25 years ago

A life sized bronze bust of glam rock star Marc Bolan was unveiled in London on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.

Bolan's son Rolan attended the ceremony at the Memorial Gardens in Barnes, south west London, just yards from where the former T Rex frontman was killed in a car crash.

Other guests included Bolan's brother Harry Feld and his former T Rex bandmates Mickey Finn and Paul Fenton, who read a poem dedicated to his memory.

The bust, worth around £7,000, was commissioned by the T Rex Action Group (TAG) which maintains the Memorial Gardens as a shrine for Bolan fans.

It was created by Canadian sculptor Jean Robillard, and has taken two years to produce.

"Bolan is an icon. It is amazing how many fans he still has and the influence he has had on music," said TAG spokeswoman Fi Warner.

"His songs still sound as good today as when they were released 30 years ago".

Rare photos

Bolan, real name Mark Feld, died on 16 September 1977 while returning home from a night out, when the Mini driven by his girlfriend Gloria Jones crashed into a tree.

Rolan Bolan is the son of the late rock star

Jones - also a singer - recovered from serious injuries sustained in the accident.

The couple's son Rolan, 26, is also a musician.

T Rex were one of the biggest bands of the 70s, topping the charts four times with the singles Hot Love, Get It On, Metal Guru and Telegram Sam.

Their other hits include 20th Century Boy and Children Of The Revolution.

The 25th anniversary of Bolan's death is also being marked with an exhibition of rare photos of the star at the Proud Central Gallery in London, which runs until Monday.

A four-CD box set and a new biography, Marc Bolan: The Rise And Fall Of A 20th Century Superstar by the exhibition's co-curator Mark Paytress, are also being released.