Marc - Show #6 September 28th, 1977 (Marc Bolan, Generation X, Eddie and the Hot Rods, David Bowie)

[@KingOFuh]

Steve Summers, guitarist for Lip Service: "I was guitarist in the band and at the point of doing the show, we’d been together a couple of years, although with different line-ups. At the time of the show, the band was Mick Hayes on bass, Brian Tan-Brown on vocals, Simon Conway on Drums and myself on guitar. Lasted about 5 years in total. Brian and I carried on writing and made some demos, but these didn’t amount to much. Unfortunately, I’ve lost touch with him now. He was a really great singer, and talented writer. Mick and I are still good friends, and he has never stopped playing, and eventually becoming lead singer with Raider, and latterly Randy and the Rockets. Norman lives in Hawaii and is still playing as far as I know. I’m currently fronting the Steve Summers Band, playing Blues-Rock and original material, doing local gigs. For the show, lots of ego trips going on, and as the only non-famous band on the show, I think we felt a bit overwhelmed. I did at least. Bowie was great, if a little aloof, Generation X - with Billy Idol - who were being touted as the next big thing - were very full of themselves, speaking to no-one. Eddie and The Hot Rods were there. They got very angry, since because of union restrictions, they weren’t actually allowed to perform and smashed up one of the changing rooms in protest. The reason they weren’t allowed to perform was because David and Marc wanted to have a jam - the one you see on the show - and the recording of the show was already running late. The Rods piece that was broadcast was actually filmed later in London and added to the show before transmission (the show was filmed in Manchester at the old Granada studios). There are reports that Bowie’s security cleared the studio before Marc & David could perform with Marc’s management getting rather irate over it. Tempers were certainly strained over the ‘jobsworth’ attitude of the unions, but certainly we were all there to witness the ‘historic’ jam. Possibly the last time Marc played live… most of the stuff on the show was mimed, apart from the Bowie/Bolan jam and Generation X… not sure how they swung that. You can see on the jam that it ended prematurely after someone ‘pulled the plug’. Not the way rock-stars of their ilk are usually treated. Both guys were pretty pissed off in the bar later, although they took the time to talk to us. Marc was especially nice. At the time, you weren’t actually allowed to mime to your record and had to re-record it in the Granada studios. This was a real pain since we’d spent ages recording the single. I later found out that trick was to go into the studio and record it then at the last minute, switch the master to the one already recorded. I’m sure this is what Bowie did with Heroes since it sounds very much like the record, including Robert Fripp from King Crimson on guitar, and he was nowhere to be seen at the show. Bowie did sing it live though, and very good it was too! So the version we mime to on the show was the one we’d recorded in the previous 2 days in the Manchester studio. Still, I was quite happy with it. The show was great fun to record, I talked to Marc a lot. He liked my guitar (a Les Paul Black Beauty) and when I asked him about his original 1958 Les Paul that he was famous for, he told me he’d had it stolen, and had sent his roadie out to get 20 new ones and he’d pick the one that felt closest to his old one. The guitarist from Gen X played one of Marc’s guitars I think, since their gear was held up en-route. Marc was complimentary about the song and the guitar solo in it. I knew he lived in Barnes, which is very close to where I worked at the time in Mortlake, and he invited me round to jam with him and Brian May (of Queen) who also lived nearby. Very exciting, but of course it never happened after he tragically died shortly after the show was recorded. Marc treated us all very well. He was utterly charming, and it was a great pleasure to meet him. He was very natural, we just talked like a couple of guitarists about songs, song writing, guitars and so on. He was really chuffed to have David on the show since they were old mates from before either of them had ‘made it’. After the show, we all went to the bar. I did chat to Marc a bit and he was still livid that the plug had been pulled on his jam with Bowie. David was there too of course, and he and Marc went into a bit of a huddle then left fairly shortly after a quick drink with those who were there. Marc did thank us for doing the show, wished us luck and said he’d be in touch with me. I don’t recall the Rods or Generation X being in the bar, but they were all very stand off-ish anyway, very into their own thing. At that time Marc had been on a health kick and lost lots of weight. Some say he was looking too thin and gaunt. Others say he was still taking stuff. He was really on the ball I’d say, sharp and witty, so no sign of drugs or booze. Of course, he was quite small and rather thin anyway, and he certainly looked it that day. I remember his hair looked a bit rough - not the glorious cork-screw mane of old - but then again, maybe it had always been like that. He seemed high energy and full of beans to be honest, but if he’d been dieting, that would account for the hair looking a bit iffy. It was a great experience that I’ll never forget. I was absolutely gutted when I heard on the radio a few weeks later that he’d died. Couldn’t really believe it, especially since it looked like I might get a chance to hang out with him. A great loss to all fans, and to me at the time, it also felt a bit personal. All the memories come flooding back whenever I hear his stuff, but especially Deborah, since he performed that on the show we were on. The show itself is a fantastic memory and it was great to see it finally released on DVD a couple of years ago. I had an old VHS recording of the show that was hardly watchable anymore. A great record of a great period of my life.

[@stevehearne]

Very interesting thanks

[@jameshodgkins559]

Marc played Portsmouth Mecca just before he died, supported by the Dammed

[@johncairns2637]

Fantastic tale from behind the scenes/for me.......a great memory for you Steve. Keep on rocking, all the best.

[@tenparkdrive]

At the end I seem to remember it being that Marc tripped over and stopped playing - Bowie laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Theres more footage of that somewhere.

[@stansirlmkhope2312]

@@tenparkdriveyou are correct

[@johnkay8629]

Good to see the complete final Marc show in good quality. Great performance of Groove A Little by T.Rex & Bolan & Bowie ending the show. Keep a little Marc in your heart❤

[@officialblueboy1509]

Thanks for uploading this gem. What it lacks in production values, it more than makes up for in nostalgia and is a curious but sad epitaph for Marc who actually died in between the broadcast of shows 4 and 5 on 16th September 1977. Nice touch with Bowie laughing at the end as the song ends abruptly. Also noticed Herbie Flowers here on bass who died just recently on 5th September 2024.

[@redwandennaoui4508]

This particular show dates 28th September, he dies on 16th? He must have recorded a few shows in advance? Miss him still . RIP ❤

[@ricardolorrio8228]

I saw this when it first was broadcast ... what a line, Gen X and the Rods performing live !

[@annawitter5161]

Amazing trip down memory lane, i am 13 again and dancing to Mark Bolan and TRex

[@HamptonGuitars]

The best thing on this is seeing Billy Idol as a toddler.

[@Wowjustwow37]

Omg, so precious!

[@dalakerdaniel9240]

The birth of the rebel fist lol

[@killianlpc]

Nice upload remember the show well, and this episode in particular, used to run home from school to catch it. I am nearly sure this got broadcast after Marc's death in the the car crash. I read David Bowie's autobiography David Bowie A Life by Dylan Jones a brilliant book and he refers to this in it. Sad to think he died so young, was a great 70s Icon.

[@bollockchops]

Believe it or not ,my mates dad brought my mate to school with marks mini on the back of his recovery truck in Fulham straight up this was the morning after ,how lax it was back then ❤🇬🇧🇮🇪

[@paulmanley1318]

The great thing here is how he was open to all the new music that was exploding at the time, my favourite band TheJam were on it, he was truly great, beautiful talking voice❤

[@Neptuneman07]

Ive heard above this show for 20 years and only seen the Jam clip from it. Thanks for sharing. It rocks.

[@alvarosanchezlocutor]

This is gold!

[@Dragondave1000]

Wow Deborah and Ride a White Swan Classics, and hamming it up to the end, Marc was back on his way up, what a shame there was never a second series! Herbie Flowers RIP

[@brianfergus839]

So surprised to hear a single from the Tyrannosaurus Rex years. I think it’s better as an acoustic with the bongos, but very cool!

[@michaelodowd4807]

Indeed , The 80’s would have been kind to Bolan, New Romantics etc , could have seen him even make inroads into the USA by supporting Prince .

[@cosmiccat6708]

Great, groovy upload. Thank you very much. Always keeping a little Marc in my heart and of course, David Bowie too. Love them both. 😻💖🎸🌠

[@stevedriver1376]

Those we have loved and lost..

[@michaelturner5443]

Marc has on of those magic les Paul guitars ......not even plugged in sounds wonderful

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

This was awesome thanks...Generation X are an underappreciateted band. Kiss Me Deadly is one of my favorite songs

[@RnR-Rebel]

Agree, quite underrated. One of my fave songs by them also! 🧡🎸🎶⚡️🤘🦋🏍

[@ACDZ123]

I remember the first time I heard dead on arrival on a juke box . Couldn't get my money back 😅

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

@@RnR-Rebel it's a song from the 70s that somehow manages to use the words "teenage sex" without being at the very least cringe inducing or at worst admissible in court. That's an accomplishment

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

@@ACDZ123 that's mean

[@ACDZ123]

@@FrithonaHrududu02127 I'm dirty ,mean and mighty unclean

[@Cracktaculus]

Raw Bowie vocals, no studio overdubs....Love It!

[@snoqueen313]

Marc Bolan, Billy Idol, David Bowie, and the Rods IN ONE MOMENT? Someone grab the smelling salts, I am about to swoon!

[@sejmayr3928]

I used to watch this when I was 11ish and was utterly bemused. Why was Marc Bolan doing childrens' TV ? I think is the final show of the series. Marc's last appearance on telly - falling off the stage singing with Bowie. 👍 RIP Marc, I always saluted the tree as I drove past it, when I worked up that way.

[@pmojl2]

Funny I used to think the very same to be honest . Was cognisant that his career was on the slide at the stage ..got overtaken by the very bands appearing on the show ! Great show though featuring some seminal bands !

[@ATMFC]

Bowie's version of Heroes on the show has T.Rex as the backing band with Marc on lead guitar. Herbie Flowers and Tony Newman had worked with Bowie before on Diamond Dogs but were now members of T.Rex

[@walkingtheboogie]

Thanks for confirming this. So was it all live?

[@whitevanadventures4116]

The backing is a bit bland, let’s be honest. But amazing to see Bowie in his prime and hitting the high notes

[@walkingtheboogie]

@whitevanadventures4116 Well, it isn't as good as the Top of the Pops one in my opinion.

[@paulmacca]

Herbie is really overplaying that bassline

[@TheLobohobo]

Wunderbar. ✨

[@MarkHuisman6]

thanks for this never seen it! I"m subscribing good stuff

[@michaelturner5443]

RIP herbie flowers .....great muscian

[@janetsimpson4799]

I love this guy so him so many times in concert im 68 now my youth

[@redrix3731]

Generation X 's drummer wearing a tshirt that is clearly a nod to Keith Moon while playing a song called Your Generation is an amusing detail.

[@BigSky1]

Mark Laff

[@jamieb0nd]

I've always loved that Debra song ❤️thanks for uploading!

[@giorgiobeltrandi1650]

The very gems are Gen X and Eddie & The Hit Rods!

[@michaelodowd4807]

The Rods for me wow what a tune .

[@Robin-lz5ct]

Best rendition of Heroes by David ever, he really wanted to support Marc's comeback, so tragic how it ended for wonderful Marc

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Can it really be 47 years ago? Rushing home from school to watch this on ITV. The production values are shocking- it looks like a school talent show but of course we are witnessing some iconic artists performing live. Amazing to see Bowie with absolutely zero charisma in this performance he just looks like he would rather phone it in. Billy Idol at the start of his career, still working on his stage act- no sneer! The Gonzales disco track written by Gloria would be a massive hit in the Manhattan clubs including Studio 54 and would eventually be a UK Top 20 hit in 79. Marc looks quite sad throughout this show. One of his final TV appearances.

[@taintedlife2618]

There are glimpses of the sneer 😂

[@andrewswatland4622]

Herbie Flowers passed away recently. What a bass player he was. Godspeed Herbie 😔

[@CamFrancisco88]

So cool!

[@DodgeDartSongs]

Bowie looks as if he regretted agreeing to do this appearance. But he sings the hell out of it.

[@brianfergus839]

He was truly on another level at this point - WAY above all the other acts on this show. Ironically, later in the year he appeared on Bing Crosby’s final TV show as well, weeks before Crosby’s death.

[@ATMFC]

Not at all. He and Bolan were good mates.

[@GB-fd6yn]

Thank you for goodbye

[@frannieo6128]

WOW! Bowie live! And Billy the Sneer. Love him.

[@karllux-d6g]

Eddie and the Hot Rods, apparently, informed the Manics (SP) a lot, 15 years on. That's good taste.

[@CarsmileSmithers]

I would have loved to hear the full version of that Bowie/Bolan number. 'Standing Next To You' I think it was to be called.

[@outtathyme5679]

My brain is exploding

[@wecu2751]

Cool!!! Gen X&Billy Idol 😎👍🎶💜

[@boogieelaine]

wow happy memories happy times he was just wow

[@rduquet]

Bowie SINGING HEROES !!! Cool,,,,,😎 Bob from Michigan

[@62keithmoon]

Und dann sind wir Helden....für eine Nacht.....Schüsse pressen die Luft🙃

[@wevans2012]

absolutely off his face lol love it

[@benben5847]

You can see the later day Billy Idol coming out in this performance. Who would have known that he’d rise to such great heights? Most musicians fade into giving up and getting normal jobs, only very few make it.

[@moodyjames7871]

Amazing that he could create that fuzzy sound with no hands on the guitar.

[@jorgejansen8198]

debborah mime was recorded and lipsynced for the TMBS! rip MB & DRJs!🎹🎷

[@gasparucciox9706]

fantastic!

[@dad_jokes_4ever226]

Billy Idol !

[@thewkovacs316]

i preferred him in gen x

[@flederzombie1960]

Never heard of "Lip Service" before. And I wish it had stayed that way.

[@liborsionko]

Christ, Lip Service were punching 😮

[@youarewhatyouare]

I think he would have revived himself came out again he had a gift for the riffs in fact when I put my beko dishwasher on it starts then stops then off again just like the intro to 20th century boy it's uncanny

[@RaveDave871]

Neil Farage very good singer for Rods 🥴

[@andrewswatland4622]

Such a shame that Marc became almost a cartoon character in his later career. I loved T.Rex up until Zinc Alloy where he was abusing coke and brandy. Tony Visconti left at that point. Any recordings after that were tinny, with little substance either musically or lyrically. He and Bowie saved my teenage years.

[@michaelturner5443]

R.i.p.david bowie

[@stephendallison1465]

Eddie and the Hot Rods mint band

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Marc and his Les Paul!

[@teamblitz1990]

That's what modern music lacks is that fire and enthusiasm that punk provided. Nowadays is bland and boring

[@ReinholdRehberg]

😍🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗👌

[@Juan_lauda]

Marc could have been the weird British Elvis

[@sergejisd]

Eddie and the Hot Rods: why Dave Higgs was not here ?

[@marSLaZZ66]

16:55 Paul Gray's bass !

[@Malegys]

Do you have the episode where AC/DC appear on his show? I think it's also from 1977. Cheers

[@AndrewAHayes]

The T Rex band were on wages while Marc made a fortune, they were not the best of musicians and so T rex gigs were not the best, even Bolan was not a proficient guitarist, I loved T Rex and still do, however the lyrics to the first song Deborah could never be described as good song writing, in fact for the majority of the song he is just making stupid noises. Eddie And The Hot Rods were a great band, great musicians, especially the bass player Paul Gray, he went on to play with The Damned and UFO and now has rejoined The Damned, another great British Band I remember watching this show and my dad calling him the P word.

[@jacquelineperry1960]

David Bowie!❤❤

[@InfoWithheld]

Damn, Eddie from the Hot Rods looks like the dad of the singer of the Strokes.

[@Caesarianus9]

My god, somebody, please use Ai to complete their last song, Standing Next To You!

[@teresaharrison5773]

You've got the date wrong, Marc died on the 16th September 1977.

[@steelworkerrecords]

Date is correct. Air date, not recorded on date. "The final show was recorded on 7 September 1977, but not broadcast until after Bolan's funeral on 20 September 1977, which was also attended by David Bowie and Rod Stewart, among others."

[@johnlemon1863]

The camera work is terrible.

[@thewkovacs316]

granada tv had no budget

[@KebabMusicLtd]

This was 1977 when Punk and New Wave was on the rise. TV pop shows tried to create an irrelevant feel to accompany the irrelevant music.

[@ugustrnar]

Straight bowie.❤

[@dorcasbass5585]

Did that bloke ever plug his guitar in whilst he's miming|?

[@brianfergus839]

23:55 😢

[@michaelturner5443]

R.i.p.herbie flowers ...great mission you can here him play bass on walk on the wild side

[@MarcioSilva-ssiillvvaa]

Pop star wannabes may try to emulate any of their heroes and perhaps pull it off, but no one can even try to copy Marc Bolan.

[@danholm4952]

bolin was done in '77,

[@stansirlmkhope2312]

A little coke goes a long way..Ahhh I miss the good old days

[@mooghead]

He is so fucked up 😞

[@philipbonner6486]

Why ?

[@mooghead]

@philipbonner6486 he just looks completely out of his tree. It's sad really.

[@rancholuna8076]

Its show business

[@philipbonner6486]

@@mooghead I agree with you yes it's sad about Marc Bolan .

[@michaelwilson2340]

At this point Bolan had changed his life. He'd given up the drugs and booze and lost the extra weight and had a new baby. Became a sort of Godfather of the punk scene and had been working with The Damned. Then he died when it was all coming together.

[@hooareya6261]

From hero to zero. We couldn't watch it .

[@memory-nownow-anticipation7087]

Ironically Generation X was comprised of Boomers.

[@TheNextGoogification]

This vid makes me want to burn my bra! Off to the store to buy one!

[@skygazer6898]

Over the top miming at its best or worse

[@davidglow3]

Everybody's dead now

[@flederzombie1960]

I don't think Billy Idol would agree.

[@davidglow3]

@@flederzombie1960 He did come within an inch of his life ending,with a very serious motorcycle crash in downtown Hollywood in the early 1980s..l actually saw generation X in 1977 at Guildford university with Hazel O'Connor also on bill..Price of admission was l believe £4.50...

[@Lensman864]

Context: I'm 60 so I was the target audience of this show. NO-ONE watched it! It was disastrously uncool. Bolan's inexplicable popularity from several years before had vanished by this time and he was desperate for both money and exposure so he agreed to do this terrible children's show and it WAS a children's show because it was broadcast in ITV's children's early evening output. By this time no-one even liked Bolan and he had zero cultural traction unlike Bowie etc; he was seen as a bad joke. The only merit of the show was the guests and band performances but most of those were ropey. It's a sad metaphor that this episode was the last in the series and the very last scene was Bowie laughing at Bolan who had just fallen off the stage. Full marks to David for trying to support Mr Feltz by appearing but it was too late ...

[@puma55792]

Lets be honest its Shite,

[@crisprtalk6963]

Bolan was completely overrated.

[@ATMFC]

By who?

[@jld593]

...and you were completely under-oxygened as a child 😂

[@MarcioSilva-ssiillvvaa]

Bolan IS Rocknroll.

[@michaelturner5443]

R.i.p Dave Higgs of the hot rods and Barry masters .....the good die young

[@sergejisd]

But why Dave is not here ?

[@babetopaz]

Herbie Flowers RIP.