David Lister, Scotland Correspondent
Win a £1500 Raymond Weil watch
To his fans he was an irreplace-able genius who ushered in the era of glam rock with his glitter and camp clothing, and defined the 1970s with his screeching guitar sounds.
But nearly 30 years after Marc Bolan died in a car accident his unfinished songs have been completed by a tribute band from Glasgow.
Hot Love, named after one of his most famous hits and headed by the guitarist and vocalist Alex “Midge” Peebles, has spent the past six months bringing to life music and lyrics that have been gathering dust for three decades.
Under a deal agreed with Bolan’s estate, the tribute band has turned 39 snippets of music into 15 tracks to be released next month at a party to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the former T-Rex frontman’s death.
Mr Peebles, 48, said yesterday: “It was such a great honour, but at the same time it was really daunting. When I first heard the melodies, I was blown away. But they were only a couple of lines long and we needed to make an album. It was a lot of work.”
Bolan was at the forefront of the glam rock era before he died in a car crash in September 1977, weeks before his 30th birthday. His death left a trail of devastated fans all desperate to hear more of his music. Now Hot Love are hoping they can give the fans what they crave.
Mr Peebles, a father of two, said: “We didn’t want to copy him. We wanted to pay a tribute and introduce a bit of ourselves as well. There has never been anyone like Marc Bolan.”
He was given a CD containing some of Bolan’s last recorded melodies and snippets of lyrics after meeting Andy Gardner, a former head of the Bolan Society fan club, at a charity concert in Glasgow in January.
Mr Gardener said last night: “The music Hot Love have produced is absolutely tremendous. They have done an incredible job and all the Bolan fans who have heard [it] are just amazed.”
The Hot Love tracks are on an album called 21st Century Stance, released on July 21 in Glasgow. Mr Peebles will release the album under his own record label, Unicorn, and is negotiating with record companies over distribution rights.
As part of a series of events to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death, Universal Music will release a special CD in September containing 40 of Bolan’s greatest hits.
As well as being cited as a major influence by Johnny Marr and Morrissey, Bolan’s music has been covered by the Fratellis, and has featured in three films – Moulin Rouge, Jarhead and Billy Elliot.
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train
In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
1998
£47,955
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
Check your free Experian credit report before applying
Car Insurance
£100,000
Barnardos
UK
PwC’s Consulting practice helps businesses of all shapes and sizes work smarter and grow faster
PwC
£37,000
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Currently £36,285
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth
Find out about shared ownership.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
Includes flights, accommodation with room upgrades, transfers city tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok.
PremierHolidays.co.uk
For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.