MARC Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the original glam rock era. With Bolan’s special ingredient of Rock-a-Boogie songs throughout the 1970s including ‘Telegram Sam’ and ‘Jeepster’ he was able to obtain what would be yet another Top 20 record in 1976 that has since become one of the most memorable and everlasting signature tunes, ‘I Love to Boogie’.

T.Rextasy have now been performing around the world for over 20 years and there's a chance to catch them bringing the music of Marc Bolan to life at Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre on May 20.

The band is now accepted as the world’s only official live tribute band and the only band endorsed and approved by Marc Bolan’s family and original ex-members of T.Rex.

T-Rextasy frontman Daniel Z recently answered questions about the show.

Why do you feel the interest in Marc Bolan has never waned?

Marc’s reputation as a musician, writer and performer has risen in stature even more so in recent years due to the unoriginality of many of today’s ‘stars’, who come across as no more than ‘boy-next-door’. Marc was self-made. He wrote his own songs, styled himself, and was a live in-concert musician with intelligence, who could talk anyone under the table when confronted with rock’n’roll histrionics. His songs and the way they were recorded stand the test of time, his live performances were filled with good-time attitude and it was almost like ‘the church of Bolan’ at his concerts - which is why even younger fans seek out clips and videos of Marc just to get ‘that feeling’ that is difficult to obtain with bands from our digital age. Marc’s persona also had plenty to do with why his still held in such high esteem. Although he instigated the glam rock scene, a good year before the likes of his good friend Bowie, or Slade or Sweet, he always kept his Mod roots, so was able to glam-up with finesse and panache without looking ridiculous.

Have you had to work at sounding and looking like him or is it something that comes naturally?

I have never studied Marc’s movements or sound as I have always been a fan since the 1970s, so therefore everything has always been natural to me. If I did study to any extent, it would come across as a stage-production, or musical, and that’s not what I’m about, and it’s not what Marc was about - he was pure rock’n’roll, as I am still to this day. I am fortunate to be the same height as Marc (5’ 7”) and similar build. I learnt to play guitar when I was a teenager to T.Rex records, so it’s like second nature to me. As I am a good friend of ex-original members, especially Tony Visconti (Marc’s producer), I have been able to obtain facts about Marc’s amplified sound, so I have been able to recreate this, as well as having my Gibson Les Paul reconstructed to look like Marc’s own prized instrument. I also own Marc’s original clothing (although I never wear them on-stage) so I have been able to have stage clothes made to spec., which of course enhances the gig itself.

Were you aware of T Rex and his music before you took on the singing part?

I saw Marc Bolan live in concert four times and have been a dedicated fan since the 1970s. In the 1990s I even had an original member join T.Rextasy. His name was Dino Dines - a keyboard player that Marc used from the mid-1970s until 1977. He was with my band until he sadly died from a heart attack a few years ago. Since then I have had many original members from T.Rex guest on stage with us.

What can you tell us about the forthcoming show?

The great thing about a T.Rextasy gig is that it can appeal to all generations. We have fans now who are T.Rextasy fans as well as T.Rex/Marc Bolan who come along in T.Rextasy t-shirts as well as those who come wearing Marc Bolan shirts. Our youngest attendees have been 8 or 9 years of age, the oldest being 92. Our general demographic falls between teens to those in their 50s. Our gig comprises of all the well known hits, a few B sides for the die-hard fans, and an acoustic session to bring in some light and shade. All in all it’s for anyone who wants an enjoyable and lively experience of a Marc Bolan/T.Rex concert. It’s a build up for a boogie-party for those who want to leave the venue singing out to the strains of ‘Hot Love’ (one of Marc’s biggest No.1 hits)!

Catch T Rextasy’s I Love to Boogie-40th Anniversary Tour at The Borough Theatre Abergavenny on Friday May 20 at 7.30pm Tickets: £19.50 Concessions £17.00 call 01873 850 805 for details.