Marc Bolan & David Bowie Rehearse "Standing Next To You"

[55kudu]

This looks like the time when Marc Bolan fell off the stage before the singing began and Bowie quipped something like "Can someone get a pine box for Marc". This mishap was aired across Britain. In a short time Bolan would be killed in a car crash. Awhile later Bowie sang his famous duet with Bing Crosby, and shortly thereafter Bing died. For about a year no one wanted to work with David because they thought he was a harbinger of death LOL. Poor David losing his best friend. Bolan, not Bing!!

[55kudu]

All this discussion over who's greater. The truth is Bolan was a tremendous influence on Bowie by his own admission, but Bowie was better know in the States, where Bolan held the title for leading British Glam rocker according to, in part, a poll conducted in the UK in 1971. That's before Bowie's "Ziggy' or "Aladdin Sane". But both started with folk-style music and evolved into "spacier" forms. I had to scour New York City for T-Rex albums in 1968-1971, but I found Bowie albums relatively easy.

[arealOpia1991]

aww bowie ..." fuck it !... arr i'm trying too hard now"

[dukebox]

Great clip. It's rare to hear Marc's natural voice. He was always affecting some kind of accent...always aware of a microphone or camera (there are so many clips where you can see him watching himself on the studio's TV monitors!). This must be one of the few times I can say he acts sounds pretty natural. Thanks for the clip.

[asimpleusername]

this would've been such a good song if they had ever recorded it!

[luvdastuf]

Soooo great. Marc was the superior guitar player and they both knew it. Marc under rated to this day as a guitar player was being wicked because Bowie was the ultimate star and they both knew it. God bless them both!!!!

[kassetter333]

Mark Bolan's not near Bowie musically. Bowie must say that the land must stop talking 2 times. Mark is not cool. Mark is not good. Just a howling joke

[TheThroney]

@kassetter333 thats not true and he doesnt tell him to stop talking he tells him to start. weirdo.

[iloveyoumarc1]

Marc was the tutor for so many future dandies!

[Joeyland]

Two of the biggest, most original, artists of rocks golden age, the 70's

[beastlycad]

very intresting item this!, damn pity it is so far outta synch though!

[theopellate]

OMG two aliens in the same room!

[5winston]

Love 4:28, Marc: "Ok, David Bowie, and that was the best thing I've heard in my whole life..." intro. LMAO!

[chaostheory1117]

Love these guys both... Great to see that I am not the onlyone who experienced practices that way... Awesome musicians and artists

[TheThroney]

is there any finished versions of this song?

[missoctober77]

Love this! Thanks for posting.

Wish there were more of those two together!

[ellemint]

thanx honey!

[ChemtrailsEire]

Thanks for the great uploads Honey! :O)

[wisesatyr72]

these guys were like paper & glue..best mates forever!

[ZLUGGO]

Marc was a betetr guitar player than David.

[ChemtrailsEire]

@ZLUGGO What a stupid comment. Who bloody cares man!

[ZLUGGO]

Well, I do, apparently.

Marc was a better guitar player than David was.

[slawek033]

333  thanks, dude!

[rubyrose456]

Thanks, Honeysprite, for these Excellent Videos-sound recordings, All of them, SO GOOD!!!

[whsonic]

yes, parts of this are mirrored. look at the writing in the lower left corner at 0:22.

[lesoo3]

hey marcs playing left handed look at 2.03

[sealion234]

I think that some of it is mirrored. Bowie also looks like he's playing left handed at 5:12, but the same right handed guitar has also suddenly become left handed.

[MoonchildMindaugas2]

it is actually a flipped footage, and it is from rehearsals but not from this very moment ;)

[bonbon1995]

God, they are both so amazing. And of course David Bowie went on to become the most amazing man (though he was still brilliant then) It's just such a shame (understatement of the century) Marc died, he could have been so brilliant. Fuck that pisses me off.

[bobbyorc]

wow this is brilliant ,allthough it sounds like david bowie's guitar is out of tune ,

marc is fabulous of course as allways,

love this i could watch it over and over again love it ,love bobby xx

[bionicbigfoot]

Bolan looks like a cross betwixt Sigourney Weaver and Tim Curry. Either way, an ugly dudw. Bang a Gong was okay, passable at best, and I really never got what all the T-Rex fuss was all about. Now shaddup.

[rickhorror]

but still youre here watching ..what does that say about you? and the jealousy that doesnt sit well..

[Snotra]

Awful guitar tone.

[ACDCFan15Swe]

Who cares what a piece of snot say?

[skilski2003]

This was about seven days before Marc died in the auto crash. I'm glad he and Bowie had fun that day. RIP beautiful man.

[Sokram1987]

Nine days before

[bzylizzy]

EXCELLENT......

[audiotrax2000]

Wow! They sound absolutely horrible - and this is coming from a fan of both. I did notice though: isn't that Marc's Strat that David is playing?

[TerraplaneTommy]

jepp

[wilbervision]

This is great hearing Bolan with child-like enthusiasm and Bowie, both having fun.

Thanks for sharing this!!

[LadyEdgar]

This is excellent audio, absolutely brilliant.

and I think we can all agree that Marc could have reinvented himself wonderfully--as well as Bowie has always been able to--if he had had more time. :(

[sphinxpuzzle]

Two of my all time faves on one stage, I can hardly contain myself!!! Owoo!

[itstoogoodtopassby]

i do admire bowie 4 sure although i cant realy get into his music apart from a few but bolan for me has that special thing you feel it hear it see it in his lyrics of poetry in his eyes in that guitar he played so well its crazy how marc performed giving us energy poetry and rock he falls down once and this is what we focus on we have all fallen at sometime he was 4 me the groover he was love its sad 2 think this was his last time on stage 2 marc his time on stage had to be right 2 perfection x

[nicbournat]

A couple of 'likely lads' from London - they were friends. Bowie wrote 'Prettist Star; about Marc.

[fatley]

its usually Angie Bowie thats associated with Prettiest star,early Ziggy performances of Lady Stardust would have Marc's face projected onto a backdrop and it was assumed this song was about Bolan and that aparantly pissed off Marc!

[honeysprite]

Fatley is correct, in terms of what is commonly held. It was "Lady Stardust" that was written for Bolan. "Prettiest Star" was for Angie.

[Sullane]

Although Bolan did play guitar on the original single version of 'Prettiest Star'. (Not to be confused with the version on Aladdin Sane which is Mick Ronson)

[dummytree]

@nicbournat And i think "London Boys" by T.Rex is about Bowie and Bolan

[222ferrett222]

bolan was doin a bad kiddywikkys tv. and bowie was doing him a huge favour doin it.

[daffodillers]

What a groove to see these cats rehearsing together.

[frenchingthebully]

this song sounds amazing. couldn't they do a finnished version my remastering bolan's vocals and things? I know that sounds tacky but it really is a great song.

[DAVWAVE]

What a crime that Bolan was groving so well and a week later, it all over for him on this earth. What a tatty drag.

[brieouttabham92]

I thought it was a bit shit the very first time I saw it, but then it actually started growing on me, even though it ain't the proper version. It's so sad Marc died over a week after he performed this on his show. But its funny AND annoying when he falls off, cause the camera just focuses on Bowie 4 the last of it! Was this ever repeated on British TV, cause if so I'd want to watch it.

[bolanledgend]

were can i find this song ?

[honeysprite]

It's a bootleg, as far as I know.

[irland1961]

@bolanledgend It is a Studio Session with Marc and David!I have a Lp from this Session

[ladymelde]

So much talent and beauty in one room.

[deadziggy]

01:06 David Bowie : and stop talking! lol

[honeysprite]

I think he says, "start" talking, because he wants to use Bolan's speech as a cue. But it's still funny. :) Bowie did seem grumpy.

[marcmickey]

this was great--you did a great job--putting the music to the video-*********

[rocknroll015]

Marc sounds... drunk XD

[chriskinch]

Think they were enjoying the 'white diet' too much this day!! God Bless 'em both! Miss this kind of talent.

[arualcollie]

Bowie looks like blonde Andrew Eldritch.

I find both Marc and David ultimately talented and hot artists. Both true stars.

[killybay2]

My boy Marc was big time fried....

[Osgilaithan]

this is fantastic

[Bemywife1]

BOWIE!!!!!!!!!

[skilski2003]

Also, Marc died three days after he and Bowie did this show. Give him some respect and be happy that part of him lives in Bowie.

[BCraingirl]

great clip honeysprite! I hadn't seen this before and I've watched practically ALL Marc Bolan footage on here, lol!  He was one of a kind and will never be duplicated!

[TennesseeLBow]

Nice clip.........but come on Bowie at this point in his career did not need Bolan. Bolan needed Bowie big time at this point in his career. Thats a fact.

[skilski2003]

May be true, but Bolan helped Bowie get his start. Please don't disrespect our White Swan, his untimely and horrible death. Thank him for giving "us" a David Bowie.

[freedom232x]

i agree with both of you here. i find it difficult to believe bowie would have made it without bolan smashing the walls down. and just as you said bowie was in a great position at this point in his career unlike marc. both superb. although bowies musicianship is showing a few cracks in this clip. no wonder 95% of his playing is overdubbed by session musicians on his records lol

[mashamorgan]

From this clip it looks like Marc would be fun and easy to work with in the studio, David on the other hand could be very difficult to work with at times. Both awesome talents !!

[pargaluvva]

I always ask why are Bowie, Elton, the Stones and half the Beatles still alive when Mark is dead? Why did he hitch up with a one hit wonder who killed him?

[swordjumper]

She had a negative influence on Marc's music -he lost many fans as a result.

[pargaluvva]

Mark there was never anyone as amazing as you, gorgeous, beautiful baby. Love you.

[lamanjello]

what a blast!!

I'm so glad Bowie lives in Riverwest Now

[MusicalBob]

Oh, i love them both..

[moonuni]

you no i think those two are having a pose off

[javelin1010]

Great clip of Marc and David. Rock history 101. Thank you for posting.

[skywriter99]

Fascinating glimpse of just how shit two great artists can be. They sound like a pair of 12 year old girls. Love the conversation though.

[HotMaSherry]

Listening to this you can tell where Adam Ant got his sound from.

[Scarr]

David Bowie and Marc Bolan are geniuses !!!

[MarnonBolaw]

That´s heartening. Do you have more stuff about the Bowie Bolan friendship?

you rock

Maro

[linkreeves]

Great Find!!! luv it both r respected by me

[Zipgun1]

Sorry does Bowie think he's some kinda god Bolan your miles a head Rock on man fuck bowie

[ziggystardustbby]

bowie is a god.

thnk about it

[Zipgun1]

Yea Bowie is a god like Marc, I'll withdraw my comment was a bit pissed. Sorry.

MARC & BOWIE are gods.

Rock on

[ziggystardustbby]

Lol

its ok

^-^

but yea they both are pretty much idols.

[Zipgun1]

Nice one babe Bowie and Bolan rocks .Lol

[ziggystardustbby]

haha

:]

[MNZofPimlico]

No actually they are NOT gods. I mean, do they control the weather? Or fly through the air like gods do? NO! They walk around like people and have to have a raincoat too like you or me do if there are clouds. You don't know WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!

[honeysprite]

They're Rock Gods. ;)

[HAILPLOTS]

If you look at mythology gods do not fly unless they have a contraption to help them. Frequently only one can control the weather. Gods when descending upon earth usually live as though mortals. Plus most gods only have power within their domain, so they could be gods of rock.

[MNZofPimlico]

Oh a contraption to help them fly? Well, WHY DIDN"T YOU SAY? That's alright then.

My girlfriend and I use contraption, but she still got pregnant. And she's not a rock god either.

[Zipgun1]

Thats were you went wrong you should have used contraception, did god not tell you that.!!!

[HILL789]

you seem to take things very literally, rock gods not god himself, okay. they are the best at what they do in other words, stop taking yourself so god damn seriously.

[MNZofPimlico]

Careful saying that! Don't say god damn because what if it came true!

And I didn't say they were literally rock gods. They are OBVIOUSLY not made of rock! They are FLESH AND BLOOD! Can't you see?

[HILL789]

your stupid, don't talk to me anymore.

[izabelabar]

Oh Yeah

[bolanbabe]

really lovely.....tanx !! x x deborah x

[onepixedpup]

Honeysprite I love you.

[thevisitortjn]

Excellent.

Thank You for sharing.

I have never heard this more full audio of this track.

Poor Marc i think he might have had one too many brandys and / or coke during this session.

R.I.P.

BTW: No question in my mind Marc was the inventor of Glam before Bowie / Ziggy inspite of Bolan been unable to crack the U.S. market.

[mashamorgan]

First time I have ever heard this right through other than what they played on the Marc show. Thanx !! By this time Bowie had achieved everything no disrespect to Marc !!

[bartrichbarton]

just remember who started glam rock...........yeah bolan...........but if it hadnt been for mungo jerry singing in the summertime in a similar bolan style......maybe glam wouldnt have happened and remember bowie had 14 singles out before he had a hit.......

[DrArgument]

Not wishing to cause yet another hopeless/ pointless/ irreverant argument, Bolan was not the first. In 1970, the Hype's Concert at the Roundhouse was the first example of 'Glam' rock. Bolan was next to the stage, dressed as a Roman Ceturion. Hype Members: - David Bowie (Rainbow Man), Toni Visconti (Hype Man), John Cambridge (Cowboy Man) & finally the late great Mick Ronson (Gangster Man). Apparently, the show wasn't well received, but it is the first example of 'Glam' rock.

[rockinrex]

That's just Great!Anyone got a clip of a little Rolan on his dad's show?I've seen pics of them from the show,would be great to see the clip.

[iggyziggy3]

the really great shame is that they never finished this song either in rehearsal or on the final take of the show.rumour has it they were both pissed (and no american folk...i dont mean angry)

[RolinBolan07]

i just love the sound of marcs singing voice and talking voice , i could liten to him all day ... infact for the rest of my life !!

[eddysteele]

i really enjoyed this my 2 main men together wish they had done more together. Great visuals.

love it

5 stars

Eddy

[Stud1NY]

Great! Thanks for posting this.

[londonpenda]

Good job on the visuals. Bowie was in Marc's shadow back then.

[matjohnjudge]

Don't be stupid. Bolan had lost his recording contract, hence presenting this durge for Granada. As for Bowie being in Bolans shadow, Bowie was at his creative height, having cracked America (Something Bolan never did) and by this point having sold over 80 million albums, as opposed to Bolans 10 mil. If you're stupid enough to think I'm talking shit, you can always scour Google or even Toni Viscontis site for a definitive angle.

[honeysprite]

Argument well-made, but London's perspective doesn't make him stupid.

[DrArgument]

That's not a perspective, it's an ill informed opinion. Looks you you just stole his 'Crown'.

[motellife]

it only makes him incredibly mis-informed on his rock history 101.

no doubt bolan was the one who started the whole glam rock movement, but it was Bowie who was able to make it to the top through his constant reinvention. the reason I think Bolan declined so much was because unlike other artists, he wasn't so well-versed in the art of reinvention, which we all know is NECESSARY if you're going to last a long time in the music business. he was getting the hang of it his last year but then: crash

[honeysprite]

I have to disagree, respectfully. Bolan was all about the reinvention. Mod, Hippie, Rocker, Glam, Boogie, Pre-New Wave New Wave... He changed his look, his sound, he even changed his voice several times throughout the years.

[bluesrus1]

yes yes yes iagree very much from along time fan cheers

[motellife]

what i meant that he wasn't so well-versed in the art of reinvention was that even though he changed (i admit it now) he somehow, i don't know why, didn't make it work for the public and that's why he declined from his earlier days. but that happens, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and sadly it didn't work as much as i would've hoped for for Bolan.

[AshtonArcher]

Bolan was able to reinvent himself, although as you allude to, he wasn't as successful as Bowie. Bolan embraced soul long before Bowie, but Bowie did it more successfully. I.E. getting top Philly session artists on Young Americans whereas Bolan just had his girlfriend and her friends (not exactly worthless musos, but not the top notch artists that Bowie was working with).

This clip is great though. Amazing hearing these two in private.

[motellife]

yeah, that's true. i admit bolan was able to revinvent himself, but not as successfully as Bowie, he didn't know how to make it work for him, that's what i should've said in my first comment.

[honeysprite]

That's a good point about the Philadelphia sound.

[pargaluvva]

Are you sure Marc had lost his recording contract?? Never been a fan of Bowie, just think he got lucky.

[DrArgument]

Positive. AS for 'getting lucky', I'd say it's only luck if something happens once or twice - enough to create hysteria perhaps? Maybe; but the fact remains that love him or loathe him, his body of work is still independently seen as one of, if not the most important to date. But different strokes for different folks.

[Elijah2x]

Truth is Marc had lost the plot for about 3 years (maybe more) but with Dandy in the Underworld he was getting it together again. I knew he was in trouble when I heard Groover. It sounded tired. But when I heard New York City I knew it still there. He took something simple and turned it into magic!

[skilski2003]

You can thank Ms. Jones for that. Marc moved to California with her and dropped out for about three years, then wanted to go home to England. I don't even want to start about her.

[Elijah2x]

One of Bowie's strength was working with the greats. Lou Reed: Transformer; Iggy Pop, the Idiot / Lust for Life and may others. He wrote the great anthem of the of Glam Rock: All the young Dudes. Marc should have produced and work with others. Imagine if Marc had produced Souxsie and the Banshees. I know if he had offered they would have said yes. I like Prince but there is no doubt that Marc is an influence - admited or not

[motellife]

i don't know how you can mention Prince in the same paragraph as bowie or bolan. the guy is ok, but i don't really see how big of a contribution to music he has given as much as bowie and bolan did. and yes, the bolan influence is there.

btw, prince look like jafar from aladdin. dont u think?

[Elijah2x]

Image wise the line from Hendrix - Bolan - Prince is obvious. It is not so obvious musically but it is there, if you listen.

Prince is huge in America, don't underestimate this fact. I grew up listening to Parliment Funkadelic along side Bolan; Bowie as well as Bob Marley....

[Elijah2x]

It's about opinions, but Marc bolan has musically had very little influence on black (I hate these terms) music,

and Bowie has had a subtle yet permanent influence.If you know your history - Plastic Soul, Soul Train, Luther Vandross etc you will understand.

[Elijah2x]

And Bowie made it cool to be into Soul - that's the big different. The same way Clapton made it cool to be into Reggae

[delflord]

Also remember that Bolan dipped into 'black' music earlier than Bowie with his "left hand luke" track from TANX in 1973 and then the whole ZINC ALLOY album in 74. The Brits and indeed the U.S were not ready for glam/soul.

Delf n Kaz x

[motellife]

i never really thought about that, Bowie's influence on "black" music (i know, i hate those terms too, ive gotten into an argument about this before in a blondie comment). he really was great, going from rock to soul, and making it work like crazy. i think his biggest "contribution" is Luther Vandross, you know, by somehow discovering him (or giving him his first break into the business) i'm not sure how it exactly went but ah..

[uberhund1966]

bowie was pretty much talked into working with a very large Vandross back then. thank god too, since his backing vocals were amazing

[motellife]

if he had gotten "luckY" he would've just been a one-hit wonder with a couple of good song and his good fifteen-minutes of fame. but the man came out with so many different albums in the 70s, each incredibly influential on later music, that i just wouldn't call it luck. he's in the same real of rock "gods" as Bolan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and countless other amazing acts, you can't really deny that.

[KIERSZTEN]

wish i could have seen them together again such a shame rip main man

[delflord]

bet they had great fun doing this!

Delf and Kaz x