It's Gonna Be Grand When You Take The Hand Of

"...The Liquid Gang!"

LIQUID: A substance that flows readily and is difficult to compress
GANG:   A group of persons who work together for a common goal

" So Rick, who the hell are 'The Liquid Gang'? "

In the beginning

there was the "Slider" list. A place that was a meeting spot for all fans of Marc Bolan & T-Rex. For those who are not familiar with Internet mailing List's they are places for people with common interests to "meet" and discuss their chosen subject.

The "Slider"

mailing list (named after the T-REX album of the same name) is run by Ned Raggart, a man with a great deal of patience. As our list has, at times, had some quite heated debates (which if done without any personal attacks makes for very lively and varied discussions) regarding our personal feelings about posthumous Marc Bolan releases Etc..

Ned oversees the list and reminds us, when neccassary, of his obligation to his list server for what is "proper list subject matter" and what is not. I would like to extend a personal thanks to Ned for starting up the Slider list in the first place!

Now you have the "genesis" for the formation of "The Liquid gang"...

Mid way

though 1996, during our daily postings to the list, Russ and I noticed a similar attitude in our feelings about Marc's music and the direction we thought would help keep his music alive and reach more people. This lead to our writing each other outside of the list. In turn we became close friends.

Here's a little "fantasy" that Russ posted to me on the Slider mailing list... "And just for you Rick: - here's a little known outtake from 'Telegram Sam'... Ricky aint slack Ricky's on track He's a Bolan surfin' net punk With a silver studded Mac... I understand Marc dropped it from the final studio cut because he couldnt find you to sign a release form for the use of your name!

Russ has

THE Best Marc web site - by profession Russ is a computer programmer and after much discussion between the three of us on direction and content Russ began work on his web site - at the time known simply as "Beltane"- though now has spread into the Ultimate Marc Bolan Interactive site "The Hidden Riders of Tomorrow".

With the gist of his site planned, Russ began his web-authoring. What a long night it was! As each step moved onto the web we all were writing back & forth, giving our comments, feedback and ideas etc. Finally the site was born -- as was the unbreakable Bond between the three of us!

As you read

through each person's entry below, along with their name and the address of their website etc. you'll see another entry just called "Scroll" - These are from an ever growing section at Russ's web site. Included there is a section called The Ancient Scrolls Of Beltane where anyone can add, thru a series of questions, their own relationship with Marc and in what way he touched their lives. You can see by our links there just how personal they are...

Now we come

to The TOMB. This is one of Russ's most accomplished works. It has become the center piece for all the various Web sites, Fan clubs, Shops to purchase T-Rex music, and many other Marc Bolan related points of interest. This is one global effort, that reaches from the shores of the U.S.A. to as far off as Russian Fan clubs and sites. It really is quite an achievment...

James and I

followed along a similiar path in our becoming good mates. A little insight into James, in the past year he has gone by the names of Cyberpunk, Plateau Skull, Baby-Strange, Iscariot & Bopster, this is one of his many endearing qualities.

James has his fantastic "Plateau skull" Bolan site. James is a man that would give you the shirt off his back. And is quite knowledgable about Marc and his music (a close 2nd to me :-)) He can quote Marc's lyrics and more importantly his Poems & Prose.

The logistics between the three of us are as follows: James and Russ live approx. 20 miles from each other in the U.K. I on the other hand live across the mighty Atlantic ocean on Long Island, New York, U.S.A. But thanks to the magic and speed of E-mail we might as well be next door to each other.

If I could have grown All upon my own If I could have grown I grew If I could have grew I do   If I had a throne You could call it Home if I cry my tears are yours To open any frozen doors   Hey,let's do it like we're friends Let's do it, do it hey let's do it like we're FRIENDS" - Marc Bolan

So it's Tanx

to these three dear friends that I now too have a Marc Bolan Website - my "Messing with the Mystic!!!" site.

Each of

our sites includes first and foremost our Thanks to the other three. I named us "The Liquid Gang" for two reasons, one is that it is the title of one of my favorite T-REX songs. The other being the above dictionary definition suits us perfectly. We are an inter-locking puzzle of pieces that help each other and are truthful & honest about our feelings. I have never had three better Friends.

So From "The Liquid Gang" to all of you that spent your time reading this remember:

KEEP A LITTLE MARC IN YOUR HEART

(Because, after all, it is not the internet but MARC BOLAN that brought us together...)

So, there you have it - that's The Liquid Gang...
We are all different and love Marc for various reasons, and yet, magically, those differences are a bonding force between us..... We try to remember Marc's gentle side and carry that with us each & everyday.

Because I know, if we do, it will keep Marc's soul at peace...

Website: Rick's Home Page
E-Mail: Rick Dalvano
Location: Long Island, USA
Nationality: Italian-American
Scroll: My Scroll

How did I discover Marc Bolan?

I was a mere

lad, age 16, when I was in a terrible funk due to a "Teenage Dream" -Love gone bad- When my two best friends came to visit me in my darkened (tongue-tombed) room...

Totally out

of the blue they decided to bring me this LP by, at that time, an unknown band. It was the first T-REX LP (with "Is it Love" etc. see pic) They paid their visit and left. On to my turntable the LP went... and no words could explain the sheer JOY these songs brought to me- they were a lifeline and I can honestly say my life would not be what it has been without Marc's songs, poetry etc. It may sound silly but I feel he had a hand in making me the person I am today!

I saw Marc 5 times. Once opening for Mountain at the Fillmore East, then as headliner at Capital Theater in Jersey, once at the Acadamy in N.Y.C. Then came the lean years... seeing him in a Club again in New Jersey, and the last time was a great show yet sad as he opened up for Three Dog Night at the Nassau Collasium (he had his whip & was so overweight but I was in the 3rd row and I was in Heaven)...

It is hard

to be objective when describing oneself. So I will give a compact account of what followed that day... after my discovering T-REX & Marc Bolan.

I had always

been interested in the Music and Art fields and I chose these two areas to pursue in one form or another. I discovered (to my dissapointment) I would never make it as a musician due to being a terrible guitarist and worse still having a voice the world is better off never hearing :-) Instead, after High school, I became involved in the retail end of the Music business. I went on to become a buyer for Record World and managed several popular New York area record stores. I also went on to college at the "School of Visual Arts" in N.Y.C. studying Photography and Free-Form Drawing. This took a back seat to the music field and is still a hobbie of mine.

I am just a Man I understand the wind and all the things That make the children cry   What can I do We just live in a zoo All I do is play The Spaceball Riccochet   Deep in my Heart There's a house, that can Hold Just about all of you... From "Spaceball Ricochet" by Marc Bolan

As I said, Marc Bolan had a hand in shaping me into the person I am today. His lyrics, the Poetry, the joyful music, his very being and insight helped me to chose music as a way of life and also inspired me to be, what I feel is an open-minded and compassionate man. Since my "Teenage Dreams" the only true constant in my life has been my continued love and enjoyment of all that Marc has left us!

Another aspect of my involvement in the music business is my interest in record collecting. One look at my T-Rex collection (follow the link below) will attest to this. I also have one of the rarest Janis Joplin collections in New York.

Thank You ...
  Marc,
    Russ,
      & James
 

Website: Russ's Home Page
E-Mail: Russ Thomas
Location: New Jersey, USA
Nationality: UK
Scroll:

Russ Thomas is

a very Dear and Giving friend of mine. Even though the "Gang" started from the Slider list, Russ runs a close second to Marc Bolan himself for bringing about the formation of the "Liquid Gang".

I can speak

only for myself but it was Russ's generosity of spirit that brought me to the point I am at now. He encouraged me when I needed it to bring about this, my very own Marc Bolan "Messing with the Mystic" site.

It is a testement to the genius that was Marc Bolan that even today some 30 years after he started his career and almost 20 years since his death that fresh ears, hearts and minds are discovering the beauty that was...      Marc Bolan,       His music,          His words.   - Russ Thomas

At right is a direct quote from Russ that used to appear at his site - maybe it will help you understand his feelings about Marc and his fans...

This gives you some insight into Russ "the Marc Bolan fan". Now I will give you a little insight into Russ "The Man".

With me

being of Italian decent and Russ from Welsh decent we are quite similar in our temperament. The difference being the Italian trait of "Family First" no secrets. Russ is a very private man. He let's his actions speak for who he is. A nobel way to live and one we could all learn from.

Russ is a very

well-respected and talented computer programmer. One quick stop at his site The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow will prove my point. The site is named after the Marc Bolan album "Zinc Alloy and The Hidden Riders of Tomorrow" (pictured left). So instead of me continuing my praises for his work take the time to Go There Now - and be prepared for a pleasent journey...

Trucking down by the roadside Met a man with a starhide He said Boy would'nt you like to Rock But could it give me love Give me little love Give me little love from your heart And then we'll Walk..."   From "Beltane Walk" by Marc Bolan.

In closing...

I want to personally thank you Russ for being the person you are.

....A lyric from Marc Bolan says it all for me....

- Rick  

Website: James's Home Page
E-Mail: Baby Strange
Location: Amersham, England
Nationality: English
Scroll: James's Scroll

As you can

see from James's Poem he is a quite talented person. Upon first reading his posts to the list I noticed his way with words. At first I found them a little confusing but as time went on I began to relaize the tought process he was working on.

A Mind Ripping Rainbow Rainbows ripping highways, A one way negative of the Sun, Lost Skulls dancing in the Hallway The Stallions of Wisdom have begun. A Thing King, cobbled and skyward, preyed upon the Untruth Tooth. The Unseen Queen, gilded with clean, Stemmed with Unicorned hearts hoof. Prophecy of plateau Plateau of Peace Fragrent and shadowed His Skull underneath - Plateau Skull...( AKA James Ryder)

I do not

claim to be an expert in the area of Prose & Poems, what I do know is I appreciate his style. Even his closing signature on his letters is constantly changing (like his name :-) ) Even if it is an obscure lyric from an old Marc Bolan song, he finds the one that I've either forgotten or one that went right over my head.

James is probably not even aware of the insight he has passed on to me in this area. I now find myself searching out the poems of Patti Smith & Jim Morrisson. We also have another person Zinc (Brian) on the list that has written books of his Poems.

Marc Bolan was at one time the Biggest selling poet in England and His beautiful writings touched us all.

When talking to

James he is the first to admit "I had it bad" meaning his love and appreciation for Marc's music and writings. James, we ALL had it bad, and had we not then the memory of Marc Bolan might have died that night along with him. If it wasn't for your comittment to keeping his Name, Music & Poetry alive we might not have this growing generation of younger people to pass on the Magic.

James and I

share this feeling that until the internet opened the doors we were the only people that still carried these feelings for Marc's music. Well I am glad to say there are many more, and for all the people just discovering T-REX join the mailing list visit all the web sites and don't forget.....

       .......We Love to Boogie 
                We Love to Boogie 
                   High School Boogie
                     Jitterbug Boogie
                       We love to Boogie on a Saturday Night......