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1967: A Midsummer Night's Scene
The year Marc Bolan continued his journey through London's underground music and arts scene. From the later days of John's Children to his growing reputation as a distinctive songwriter and performer, 1967 was a period of experimentation, creativity and transformation. This category explores the concerts, recordings, photographs, press coverage and memorabiThough short-lived, this rebellious era helped ignite Marc’s path to stardom. Explore the raw energy and chaos of his first proper band days.
Tyrannosaurus Rex (December 3, 2021) – Strange Orchestra Double Album: LP
Strange Orchestra is a double LP archive collection released by Easy Action Records in December 2021. Drawn from tapes supplied by the Light of Love Foundation and the Official Marc Bolan Merch Co., the set focuses on rare recordings, demos, alternate takes, working versions and studio sessions from the Tyrannosaurus Rex era. The release offers an in-depth look at Marc Bolan's creative process during the group's formative years, presenting multiple versions of songs alongside
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Dec 3, 20214 min read
Marc Bolan And John's Children (April 1, 1984) – Beyond The Rising Sun Double Album: LP, TC.
Beyond The Rising Sun is a double-album compilation released by Cambra in April 1984. The collection brings together recordings by Marc Bolan and John's Children, documenting material associated with Bolan's pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex career and the period surrounding his brief but significant involvement with John's Children. The set combines solo Marc Bolan recordings with tracks by John's Children, creating a retrospective overview of some of his earliest surviving studio work.
John's Children
Mar 31, 19843 min read
John's Children (October 6, 1967) – "Go Go Girl" b/w "Jagged Time Lapse" Single: UK
Released on October 6, 1967 by Track Record, "Go Go Girl" was the final single issued by John's Children and is notable for featuring an A-side written by Marc Bolan after his departure from the group.Although Bolan had already left John's Children by the time of release, his influence remained significant. "Go Go Girl" was adapted from a Bolan composition that he would later revisit under the title "Mustang Ford" on Tyrannosaurus Rex's debut album My People Were Fair And Had
John's Children
Oct 5, 19673 min read
John's Children (September 1967) - “Come And Play With Me In The Garden” / “Sara, Crazy Child” Single: GER
A rare 1967 German 7" single by John's Children featuring the provocative A-side “Come And Play With Me In The Garden” and the Marc Bolan-penned B-side “Sara, Crazy Child.” RELEASE DETAILS Artist: John's Children Label: Polydor Date: September 1967 Catalogue: 59 116 Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Germany A-Side: “Come And Play With Me In The Garden” Written by: Ellison, Hewlett B-Side: “Sara, Crazy Child” Written by: Marc Bolan TRACK LIST Germany 7" Commercial Single (59 1
John's Children
Aug 31, 19671 min read
Marc Bolan (August 1967) – Jasper C. Debussy Acetate UK: Single-Sided Acetate
This rare single-sided SPOT acetate preserves Jasper C. Debussy, one of twelve recordings completed by Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took during two recording sessions held at Spot Studios during August 1967. These sessions represent a key turning point in Bolan's artistic development and document the earliest stages of the musical partnership that would soon become Tyrannosaurus Rex. RECORDING The recording was produced by Simon Napier Bell. Recording took place at Spot Stud
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Jul 31, 19672 min read
Marc Bolan (August 1967) – Lunacy's Back Acetate UK: Single-Sided Acetate
This rare single-sided SPOT acetate preserves Lunacy's Back, one of twelve songs recorded by Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took during the August 1967 Spot Studios sessions. The acetate survives as an important document from the period immediately preceding the creation of Tyrannosaurus Rex and offers a glimpse into Bolan's rapidly developing songwriting style. RECORDING The recording was produced by Simon Napier Bell. Recording took place at Spot Studios, South Molton Street
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Jul 31, 19672 min read
Marc Bolan (August 1967) – Jasmine '49 Acetate UK: Single-Sided Acetate
This rare single-sided SPOT acetate preserves Jasmine '49, recorded during Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took's August 1967 recording sessions at Spot Studios, London. The acetate forms part of a remarkable group of twelve recordings completed during two sessions that helped lay the foundations for the music that would shortly emerge under the Tyrannosaurus Rex name. RECORDING The recording was produced by Simon Napier Bell. Recording took place at Spot Studios, South Molton
Marc Bolan
Jul 31, 19672 min read
John’s Children (July 22 1967) – “Come and Play with Me in the Garden” Review – Melody Maker
This short review from July 1967 praises John’s Children’s new single Come and Play with Me in the Garden on Track Records. Following the near‑success of Desdemona, the piece describes the band’s latest release as loud, forceful, and perfectly tuned to the flower‑power groove of the era. Publication: Music Paper Date: July 22 1967 Country: United Kingdom The review notes that after Desdemona narrowly missed the charts, John’s Children quickly returned with another energetic
John's Children
Jul 21, 19671 min read
Tyrannosaurus Rex (July 22, 1967) – “Formation and First Performance” Timeline Chronicle – London Underground Scene
On July 22 1967, Marc Bolan officially formed Tyrannosaurus Rex after leaving John's Children. Initially conceived as a four‑piece electric rock band, the group played its first and only show at the Electric Garden in Covent Garden, London - a performance so chaotic that it prompted an immediate reformation into the acoustic folk duo that would define Bolan's early career. THE STORY Following his departure from John's Children, Marc Bolan assembled a new band under the name T
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Jul 21, 19672 min read
John's Children (July 21, 1967) – "Come And Play With Me In The Garden" b/w "Sarah Crazy Child" Test Pressings UK:
Issued during the final phase of John's Children's recording career, "Come And Play With Me In The Garden" and "Sarah Crazy Child" represent recordings from the group's late-1967 sessions produced by Simon Napier-Bell. Unlike commercially released copies, the surviving test pressings provide a fascinating insight into the manufacturing process before the single reached production. Several distinct preview and test-pressing variations are known, each showing different combinat
John's Children
Jul 20, 19675 min read
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