On the road with Marc
10:00am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Music By Flicky Harrison
Living the rock and roll lifestyle has not changed drummer Paul Fenton from the down to earth Yorkshire lad who set out to make music in a bugle and drums band.
Paul is heading for Swindon next week with the current line up of T-Rex, who are all still passionate about playing the music of the legendary lead singer Marc Bolan.
Paul became pals with Marc before he toured and recorded with T-Rex, even borrowing a costume from the famous singer’s colourful collection to go on stage for a David Bowie television show.
The drummer had a meeting with Marc and record producer Tony Visconti in the singer’s home in Marble Arch, London. They talked until it was too late for Paul to get home to Teddington and back in time for the TV appearance.
Paul said: “I stayed over and Marc and Tony were working through, so I was given Marc’s bed. I was committed to doing a David Bowie Midnight Special and Marc told me to choose whatever I liked from his wardrobe. It was the whole width of the bedroom.
“That was the way he lived, all posh and very nice. The building had a concierge to show you in.”
“I saw him as a friend. We went to the speakeasy and had a lot of fun. ''
- Paul Fenton drummer with T-Rex
Paul chose a chiffon, cape-sleeved affair and the singer insisted he kept it.
“I saw him as a friend. We went to the speakeasy and had a lot of fun. It was after Marc had finished with June Childs and only just met Gloria Jones that I first met him,” said Paul.
“Tony wanted me to play on his album but Marc liked to get to know the character of the people he worked with first, to see if there was empathy.’’ The spark ignited and Paul toured with T-Rex, played live on TV and recorded with them, from the album Zinc Alloy until Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, and Marc Bolan’s untimely death in 1977.
Paul’s first step on the music ladder was as a youngster playing in a bugle and drum band with his brother Chris. His first taste of fame came with the band Christie, led by Jeff Christie. Following the release of number one single Yellow River the band toured all over the world, and were greeted like royalty and driven in limousines with outriders.
“I was a kick butt drummer – that’s why I got that gig,” said Paul. But the high life and the pop scene were not enough of a challenge for the 24-year-old drummer. He joined Carmen, the first band to mix flamenco with rock ‘n’ roll. It was during this time that Paul was asked to play with Paul McCartney’s band Wings.
“I was staying with Tony at the time and Paul (McCartney) came round. Tony played him some of Carmen’s music and he quite liked it, so I ended up at Oxford Circus studio sitting between him and Linda, playing Bluebird. I was invited to join the band but I was loyal to Carmen who were about to tour the States.’’ The current T-Rex line-up sprang from a meeting between Paul, the late Mickey Finn and Jack Green at a memorial concert for the 20th anniversary of Marc Bolan’s death.
“The crowd’s reaction was Wow! So now we tour all over Europe. It’s amazing,” said Paul.
T-Rex will be touring for the first time with the Boomtown Rats and they come to Swindon’s MECA in Regent Circus on January 28. Tickets are £14 plus booking fee from www.swindontickets.co.uk or 01793 495527.
