The December 13, 1966 edition of the Lincolnshire Echo reviews Marc Bolan’s single “Hippy Gumbo” (Parlophone R 5539), describing it as an arranger’s record full of musical ideas and portraying Bolan as a man of mystery with a rasping, bluesy voice. Publication: Lincolnshire Echo Date: December 13, 1966 Country: United Kingdom Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire Section: Music / Singles Review THE STORY The review highlights Bolan’s eclectic style and the song’s potential to reach

A brief but culturally important listing marking Bolan’s early national TV exposure on Ready, Steady, Go! during a pivotal moment in his artistic evolution.

In the late autumn of 1966, a young Marc Bolan released his third and final solo single before forming Tyrannosaurus Rex. “Hippy Gumbo” was a quirky, upbeat pop track with a strong beat-group feel and a touch of the whimsical, poetic style that would soon define his work with Tyrannosaurus Rex. Backed with “Misfit,” this Parlophone 7" single marked the end of Bolan’s early solo period and the beginning of his journey into the acoustic folk-rock sound that would lead to glam s

This extremely rare November 1966 EMIDISC acetate captures Marc Bolan during a transitional phase between his Mod-era recordings and the more distinctive style that would soon emerge with John's Children and, later, Tyrannosaurus Rex. Issued under the pseudonym Suzie Day, the acetate contains early recordings of "Hippy Gumbo" and "Misfit". Both titles would become important reference points in Bolan's developing songwriting catalogue and offer a fascinating glimpse into his a

This rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves an early pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex recording of Hippy Gumbo, one of the most important songs from Marc Bolan's 1966 recording sessions with producer Simon Napier Bell. The acetate is particularly notable because it features an original hand-drawn doodle by Marc Bolan on the label itself, transforming the disc from a simple studio reference recording into a unique piece of Bolan memorabilia. The surviving artwork makes this one of t

This rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves an early recording of Misfit, the B-side that would later accompany Hippy Gumbo on Marc Bolan's first Parlophone single. Produced by Simon Napier Bell and recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London, the acetate documents Bolan's songwriting during the crucial transitional period immediately before the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Together with the surviving Hippy Gumbo acetate, it forms part of an important group of s

"The Love I Thought I'd Found" was the debut UK single by John's Children, issued by Columbia Records on October 14, 1966 under catalogue number DB 8030. The group had developed from an earlier outfit formed in Great Bookham during 1965 by Chris Townson and Andy Ellison. Initially known as the Clockwork Onions, the group subsequently became the Few and then the Silence, with Geoff McClelland on guitar and John Hewlett on bass. The band's direction changed following the involv

Released in Japan during August 1966, this Victor Records single by Sylvie Vartan holds particular significance for Marc Bolan collectors because the B-side, Il Faut Trouver Son Coin De Ciel, is based on Bolan's composition Beyon' The Rising Sun. Issued only nine months after Marc Bolan had released Beyon' The Rising Sun as a B-side, the record is one of the earliest known official recordings of a Marc Bolan composition by another artist. The choice of song is especially note

An early single review in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner for Marc Bolan’s “The Third Degree”, highlighting his emerging talent as a multi-instrumentalist and poet during his pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex / hippie-folk period. PUBLICATION Huddersfield Daily Examiner Date: June 10, 1966 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Music / Singles Review Title: MARC BOLAN single review (The Third Degree) THE STORY The review praises Marc Bolan’s (then still known as Mark Feld) new single

The February 19, 1966 edition of London Life magazine features a record review column written by Marc Bolan, offering his opinions on current releases and showcasing his early role as a critic and commentator in the music scene. Publication: London Life Date: February 19, 1966 Country: United Kingdom Location: London Section: Music / Record Review THE STORY In this column, a young Marc Bolan reviews various singles and albums, commenting on artists such as The Byrds, The Kink