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Photo used with permission of Colin Hill

Bolan plays Kidderminster

Marc Bolan and his band Tyrannosaurus Rex play an "all-nighter" at the legandary Frank Freeman's club in Kidderminster.

Marc Bolan's appearance at Frank Freeman's club in Kidderminster is the stuff of legends - and there is an urban myth attached to the gig as well.

Bolan played Kidderminster on Sunday 14 April 1968, as part of Tyrannosaurus Rex - his band who were later to metamorphosise into T-Rex, the glam-rock pioneers.

Flyer used with permission Richard Jones

The photo of them taken on that night by Colin Hill, shows that they were a long way from glam in those days.

Marc Bolan sits cross legged, playing an acoustic guitar, with Steve 'Peregrin' Took playing the bongos.

The gig was an an 'all-niter', and Tyrannosaurus Rex didn't get on stage until about three o'clock on Monday morning.

Also on the bill were Doctor K's Blues Band and Junior Eyes.

Legend has it that Marc Bolan slept on someone's floor in Kidderminster after the gig - if it was your floor, then please let us know.

Country House

At the height of his fame Marc Bolan planned to return to this area, buying himself a the kind of country mansion that was an essential purchase for rock mega-stars.

Weston-under-Penyard vicaridge - once owned by Marc Bolan

The house that Marc bought

His choice was The Old Rectory at Weston-under-Penyard, which he bought in 1972.

Although he spent a lot of money on it, he never did move in.

It was sold three years later for £70,000.

The Grade II listed William and Mary property dates back to 1690.

_{More on the music scene around Kidderminster in the 60's is in the book 'Get Your Kicks on the A456'. by John Combe. ISBN-0-9550482-0-6. Price £12.99.}

last updated: 23/09/2009 at 16:17
created: 16/09/2008

Have Your Say

If you were at this gig, or have any other memories of famous gigs in this area, we'd love to hear from you.

it was a great time
Did we realize that it was just the start of a great musical movement to come? Yes, I think we did. There was something in the air, the way that new music came around, new fashion, films and arts. Mostly you can only tell if many years have gone by what importance a special occasion did have, this was one of the rare moments when you actual felt that you were part of an enourmous movement that would change if not all, change a lot!Howard Melvin, London

Martin Bowen
The best all-nighter ever,i think locomotive played and also Eddie Boyd that night or was it the flower power night? (give me a break it was 40 years ago)great memories.

Marc Hartley
Does anyone have any pics of Marc playing at the castle rock event at dudley zoo from 1970? pics to date have elluded anyone, surely some must have been taken? the zoo and castle are about 2 miles from me and i'd love to see pics of my hero playing there.

Stevie
Obviously I don't doubt that Marc ever played in Kiddeminster - there is photographic evidence as you can see. However, I very much doubt that it was in 1965. Marc Bolan didn't meet Steve Peregrin Took until Autumn 1967.

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