Celebrate Summer with T Rex

It’s a funny coincidence that I was listening to the Trilobites I Can’t Wait For The Summer To End when I got the email tip about this song. “Summer’s not a bummer. It’s a stunner, and it’s now.” Sure, Marc Bolan was not known for the depth of his lyrics, but rather for being the the supreme effeminate glam rock guitarist and vocalist whose half shirts, onstage mincing, high heels and general rocking cool stage presence and persona were not even approached again until the likes of Prince.

Marc must have had a fascination with skateboarding too. This is Skateboard Music features a demo of his titled “Skateboard,” and this video clip performance of “Celebrate Summer” from his UK variety show simply titled “Marc” features skateboarders performing in front of a blue screen. Unfortunately, the song and performance are pretty flat. Not exactly a good introduction to T Rex for the uninitiated. Apparently, Marc was also an advocate for skateparks. You can watch the video and read an excerpt from an interview with Mr Bolan talking about the exciting new sport of skateboarding and what government officials should be doing to promote “skateboard tracks.” – Thanks to Eric Shea for the tip

Marc Bolan on Skateboarding

This is allegedly from Marc Bolan’s column in the August 6th, 1977 edition of the Record Mirror. I only say allegedly because the paper is defunct and I’ve only seen the interview in html on the web.

…It came about because Grenada’s big chief Johnny Hamp wanted someone to host a rock show which would bridge the gap between today and tomorrow and generate a genuine feeling for young people. Someone who would be accepted by the new wave, the old wave, super-novas, black holes in space and skateboarders (more about that little explosion later)…

…My new T. Rex single ‘Celebrate Summers has a very definite new wave feel about it. If anyone thinks it is deliberate they am quite right. I know a good thing when I hear it, and am young enough to enjoy adrenaline-rush rock.

On TV I intend to do it against the background of a genuine skateboard team called ‘The Benji Boarders’. I hope you’ll feel I’m moving with the times cos I gave up doing re-make of Sun record oldies with ‘I Love To Boogie’. If you like the one – wait till you hear the one I’ve got in mind for the TV theme tune.

Let’s rap a little about skateboarding which, not too many of our older administrators seem to have realised, is going to be the new recreation for the young. I doubt if one local council in 10 is thinking about tracks for skateboarders, even though you can hardly walk along the pavements for them.

Skateboarding is already a monster sport in America. Over here the only contribution I’ve heard of local officials making was to spread gravel over a park to stop kids doing it.

What we want are proper skating areas. All you need is a banked rink, you can rent the protective gear for this healthy sport that’ll keep you trim, outdoors or in. Given some rock and roll music to move to, you’ve got the best combination since surfing and the Beach Boys.

Some oldies were drumming up publicity to prevent the punk and ted war, which never existed until they publicised it. They’d have done better to donate funds to this new sport.

And… Marc Bolan on a skateboard

Celebrate Summer by Marc Bolan and T Rex The original video for this disappeared and I couldn’t find the right version on Youtube. There are three different montages for this song that were shot for the show! Here’s a crappy one from Daily Motion, if a better one becomes available, let us know.

Although his popularity was in in decline and he was seemingly out of touch with the new trends in music, Marc was a fan of punk rock and the associated sounds of the era. He featured the Jam and Generation X on his show and went on a tour with the Damned as the support act! Bolan died in a car crash in 1977. Here’s a good 1992 retrospective of Marc Bolan and T Rex from an unnamed UK TV show. It looks like it’s from a VHS dub, complete with warbling soundtrack. Perfect.