A COLOURFUL Manchester character or a truly awful busker who makes shoppers cringe and keeps his neighbours awake at night?
Opinion is divided on Marc Bolan, who changed his name in honour of the legendary frontman of glam-rockers T-Rex.
Marc has become as much a part of city centre landscape as the cathedral after 18 years busking on the streets.
Marc's next-door neighbour Russell Martin says his monotone din has disrupted his sleep more times than he can remember over the six years they have been neighbours at the Trafford Court council flats in Lucy Street, Old Trafford.
"It's got so bad, I'm moving out," said Russell, a 41-year-old dispatch rider.
He has kept a log since September, detailing 80 noise disturbances in just four months. It has been handed to Trafford council environmental health officers.
"He's like a headless chicken,"said Russell. "It's absolutely horrendous. He plays T-Rex material but he just sounds like a dinosaur. That's about as close as it gets.
"The council has told me it will install a noise monitor ands evict him if the noise levels are proven."
Russell, father of two girls aged six and seven, has asked to be moved to alternative accommodation.
The last straw came during a disturbance on January 8. Police are investigating after a brick was thrown through Russell's window.
Marc defended himself and his music when the M.E.N. found him busking, as usual, in the city centre.
Denying being inconsiderate, he said: "I do sometimes play music quite late when I have friends round. I am not excessively loud and I am not a bad neighbour."
He currently plays outside Boots on Market Street, in direct competition with a string mini-orchestra.
For some, his distinctive two-chord renditions, frantic strumming and erratic hollers give a new meaning to the word "thrash".
To others, he is another vital note in the offbeat melody of Mancunian life.
A Trafford council spokesman declined to comment on the allegations of noise nuisance.
What do you think of Marc's music?
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Jamie Dixon, Audenshaw Manchester (31/01/2004 at 14:27)
We got his signature one day when walking past and thought the whole "marc bolan" thing was just an instance joke, but turns out we were wrong.
Although Marc could be seen as untalented and a general nuisance, he has brought depth to the streets of Manchester and is now part of the scenery.
Anyone who can throw a guitar 20 feet up in the air and catch it, immediately to start strumming the same two broken strings, is a god among men.
Well, that's my two cents
Tom, Crumpsall, Manchester (31/01/2004 at 19:51)
David, Hulme (31/01/2004 at 22:41)
Marc, Manchester (31/01/2004 at 23:31)
Leave him alone... -_-
Steve Williams, Sydney (formerly Baguley) (01/02/2004 at 22:49)
Thomas Roberts, East Didsbury, Manchester (02/02/2004 at 12:15)
Anon, Manchester (02/02/2004 at 13:57)
Jemma Gor, mcr (03/02/2004 at 13:06)
Mary, Didsbury, Manchester (03/02/2004 at 13:18)
Michelle, City Centre, Manchester (03/02/2004 at 13:32)
He manages to bemuse and amuse every shopper that passes him by and needs to be listed as a tourist attraction.
He always raises a smile or makes people jump out of their skin as they hear his unique sound with its distinctive fluctuations in volume.
Who wants to hear a busker that could be in the charts? Marc definatly adds something extra to the Manchester shopping experience.
It would be interesting to read what others think of his talent plus he deserves recognition for his enthusiasm for live music and performance.
Amadeus Dante, Manchester West (03/02/2004 at 17:11)
MANC-NETISM.
Pop culture has more to do with "Personality" than ability. When you walk past him you can see and feel the reaction that he generates. Given the right opportunity he could make himself and no doubt others a fortune. I'm really surprised he's not already been snapped up by some enterprising individual. I look at him and see pound/dollar signs. Keep on rockin MANC !
Christopher Etherington, Middleton (03/02/2004 at 19:24)
Leave this Marc Bolan alone. He is a colourful character that puts a smile on peoples faces that cant be bad.
matthew hoyte, old trafford (03/02/2004 at 19:54)
gordon simpson, oldham (04/02/2004 at 01:39)
AJ, Manchester (07/02/2004 at 05:12)
Juu, California, USA (07/02/2004 at 05:14)
Besides, I'd be glad to be his neighbor. ^_^
Philip Robinson(The Electric Warrior), Lincoln,Lincolnshire (09/02/2004 at 16:40)
Leonie, Oldham, Lancashire (12/02/2004 at 12:52)
Tony, Official Marc Bolan Fan Club (23/02/2004 at 23:54)
John Rothery, Withington (01/03/2004 at 10:59)
odash, da lev (15/03/2004 at 11:57)
Big Matt, Manchester (19/03/2004 at 13:11)
Many a time I've passed him on Market Street and smiled. Can he play and sing for toffee? No, but is he the best busker in the world? Without a doubt.
Marc, I salute you.
Alex, Salford (07/01/2005 at 12:24)
Wayne Green, Old Trafford (27/09/2005 at 19:21)
the pedestrians, collyhurst (18/10/2005 at 17:38)
that scream thing he does at random points of walkin past him... pure genius