Tyrannosaurus Rex (January 16, 1970) “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” / “Find A Little Wood” – Single 7" UK

A shimmering piece of folk-psych mysticism, “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” captures Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took at the final threshold of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era. Dreamy, acoustic, and steeped in Bolan’s mythic lyricism, this single stands as the last release under the full Tyrannosaurus Rex name before the transformation into T. Rex and the birth of glam rock.

RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Tyrannosaurus Rex Label: Regal Zonophone Date: January 16, 1970 Catalogue: RZ 3025 Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: UK Genre: Folk Rock Style: Folk, Psychedelic A-Side: “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” Written by: Marc Bolan Produced by: Tony Visconti B-Side: “Find A Little Wood” Written by: Marc Bolan Produced by: Tony Visconti

TRACK LIST UK 7" Commercial Single (RZ 3025)

A. By The Light Of A Magical Moon

B. Find A Little Wood

LINKED RELEASES / VARIANTS 

Main Commercial – RZ 3025 (Stereo) Promo copies exist

PERSONNEL

• Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar

• Steve Peregrin Took — percussion, vocals

• Tony Visconti — producer

THE STORY

Released on January 16, 1970 on Regal Zonophone (RZ 3025), “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” / “Find A Little Wood” was the final single under the full Tyrannosaurus Rex name. Produced by Tony Visconti, the tracks reflect the duo’s intimate folk-psych sound at the end of their acoustic era. Just months later, Bolan shortened the band name to T. Rex and embraced electric glam rock.

CONTEXT & NOTES 

The single did not chart but remains a symbolic closing chapter of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era. Variants include push-out and solid centre pressings in standard Regal Zonophone company sleeves. The release marked the end of an era and the beginning of Bolan’s transformation into a glam icon.

International Issues Australia

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Festival — Australia · 1970

France

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Stateside — France · 1970

Germany

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Polydor — Germany · 1970

Ireland

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Regal Zonophone — Ireland · 1970

Netherlands

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Stateside — Netherlands · 1970

New Zealand

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Festival — New Zealand · 1970

Contemporary Reviews (1970)

Chris Welch (Melody Maker): "Marc Bolan with new sidekick Mickey Finn has another crack at the singles market with a typical Bolan Child vocal, but an untypical backing with some nice Beatley guitar sounds and unusual chord changes. It will be nice to see them get a hit after all this time. Let's hope the DJs cough up with some plays."

Peter Jones (Record Mirror): "Never am too sure about this team. Sometimes they lose me or I lose them. This is a gentle moody piece of light-hearted writing, with good vocal line and some intriguing guitar spasms. At least try it, please."

Derek Johnson (New Musical Express): "Rex is looked upon by many people as an ‘album group.' Maybe so, though I am confident that it's turn in the singles chart will come. But whether or not it will be with this disc is a moot point. It's hauntingly insistent, has a colourful lyric and throbbing beat, and highlights some sizzling guitar work. It reminds me slightly of Donovan's “Goo Goo Barabajagal" and is certainly distinctive enough to merit a Chart entry. But somehow I have my doubts."

RELATED MATERIAL

Tyrannosaurus Rex (1970)

A Beard of Stars (Album)

T. Rex (1970) Ride a White Swan (Single)

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES Discogs, 45cat, 45worlds, Official Charts, Wikipedia

All single artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.