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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.
Marc Bolan (July 15, 1967) Leaves John’s Children & Single Announcement – Melody Maker
The July 15, 1967 edition of Melody Maker announces a new single by John’s Children titled “Come And Play Me In The Garden”, noting that singer and songwriter Marc Bolan has recently left the group to form his own band, Tyrannosaurus Rex Publication: Melody Maker Date: July 15, 1967 Country: United Kingdom Section: News / Singles Announcement The short news item reports the upcoming release of John’s Children’s new single and informs readers that Marc Bolan has departed the b
John's Children
Jul 14, 19671 min read
John's Children (July 14, 1967) – “Come And Play With Me In The Garden” / “Sara, Crazy Child” Single: UK
This single by John's Children appeared in the United Kingdom during July 1967 on the Track Record label under catalogue number 604005. One source lists the release date as the fourteenth of that month while another places it on the twenty-first. The disc was issued in a hurry following the withdrawal of an earlier Marc Bolan-composed track titled Midsummer Nights Scene. Musically the A-side amounts to little more than a reworking of a previous John's Children B-side called R
John's Children
Jul 13, 19673 min read
John's Children (July 7, 1967) – "Midsummer Night's Scene" Acetate UK: EMIDISC
Cut on July 7, 1967, this rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves an early recording of "Midsummer Night's Scene" by John's Children during the group's final and most creative period. Produced shortly before Marc Bolan's departure from the band, the acetate offers a snapshot of the material being developed at the height of the group's psychedelic phase. Unlike a commercially issued single, this acetate was produced in extremely limited numbers for reference and evaluation
John's Children
Jul 6, 19674 min read
John's Children (July 7, 1967) - "Midsummer Night's Scene" / "Sara, Crazy Child" Single: UK
This single stands as one of the rarest United Kingdom 45 rpm releases ever produced. After Marc Bolan departed the group the record was withdrawn from circulation. Estimates indicate that only approximately fifty copies ultimately survived. Between twenty-five and fifty pressings were distributed free of charge at the band’s club venue in Leatherhead. A further limited number were supplied to radio disc jockeys for promotional purposes, while the remaining stock was destroye
John's Children
Jul 6, 19672 min read
Marc Bolan (June–July 1967) – "The Lilac Hand Of Menthol Dan" Single UK: Single-Sided Acetate
This single-sided acetate features the Marc Bolan composition "The Lilac Hand Of Menthol Dan". Dating from June–July 1967, the recording was produced by Simon Napier-Bell and was prepared as an acetate rather than a commercial release. The supplied information notes that John's Children served as the backing band for the session, linking the recording to Bolan's time working with the group during 1967. Produced by Simon Napier-Bell. Recorded at Advision Studios, Gosfield Stre
Marc Bolan
May 31, 19672 min read
John's Children (May 26, 1967) – "Desdemona" b/w "Remember Thomas A. Becket" Single UK: Double-Sided Acetate
This double-sided acetate documents the pairing of "Desdemona" and "Remember Thomas A. Becket" by John's Children. Dated May 26, 1967, the acetate carries the Track Record catalogue number 604003 and was produced during the group's 1967 recording activities. The supplied acetate labels identify both recordings as John's Children performances. Produced by Simon Napier-Bell. Recorded at Advision Studios, Gosfield Street, London. Marc Bolan did not contribute to the B-side recor
John's Children
May 25, 19672 min read
John's Children (May 26, 1967) – "Desdemona" b/w "Remember Thomas A. Becket" Single UK: 7"
Released in the UK during May 1967 on the Track Record label, "Desdemona" was issued as a 7-inch single backed with "Remember Thomas A. Becket". The single carried catalogue number 604003 and was produced by Simon Napier-Bell. "Desdemona" was written by Marc Bolan during his tenure with John's Children, while the B-side was credited to Andy Ellison and John Hewlett. Although Bolan contributed to the A-side, he did not participate in the recording of "Remember Thomas A. Becket
John's Children
May 25, 19673 min read
Mark Bolan (Early 1967) – Jasmine '49 / Horrible Breath Acetate UK: Double-Sided Acetate
This rare double-sided acetate preserves two recordings from Marc Bolan's productive post-Hippy Gumbo recording period. Featuring Jasmine '49 and Horrible Breath, the disc captures material recorded during the Simon Napier Bell sessions that helped shape Bolan's musical direction immediately before the emergence of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Unlike the commercial Hippy Gumbo single, these recordings remained unreleased at the time and survive through a small number of reference aceta
Marc Bolan
Mar 1, 19672 min read
Marc Bolan (Early 1967) – "Horrible Breath" Advertising Jingle Acetate UK: Audiodisc
"Horrible Breath" is an unusual and highly obscure Marc Bolan recording created as a commercial advertising jingle rather than a conventional song release. Recorded during the early months of 1967, the acetate was produced to promote Amplex Tablets, making it one of the rare surviving examples of Bolan's involvement in advertising-related recordings before achieving fame with Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex. The recording survives as a single-sided Audiodisc acetate and provides
Marc Bolan
Mar 1, 19672 min read
Marc Bolan With John's Children (1967) – Hippy Gumbo / Desdemona Acetate UK: 8"
This rare 8-inch double-sided acetate documents the brief but significant period when Marc Bolan was working with John's Children following his departure from the group as an official member. The acetate couples Hippy Gumbo with Desdemona, two recordings closely associated with Bolan's creative partnership with the band during 1967. Surviving examples are particularly important because they preserve recordings from a period that bridged Bolan's work with John's Children and h
Marc Bolan
Jan 1, 19673 min read
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