Tyrannosaurus Rex (January 16, 1970) – By The Light Of A Magical Moon / Find A Little Wood Single UK: 7"
Updated: Oct 6
Released on January 16, 1970, By The Light Of A Magical Moon was the first Tyrannosaurus Rex single to feature Mickey Finn following the departure of Steve Peregrin Took. Issued on Regal Zonophone under catalogue number RZ 3025, the single marked the beginning of a new chapter in the group's history.
Although the release failed to chart in the UK, it remains a significant recording in the Tyrannosaurus Rex catalogue, documenting the first officially released recordings featuring the Bolan and Finn partnership that would continue through the remainder of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era and into the early T. Rex years.
Both tracks were recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
Production was handled by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions.
Both sides were issued in stereo.
An AdVision single-sided acetate of the A-side is known to exist and survives as one of the more desirable pre-release variants associated with the single.
STYLE & THEMES
"By The Light Of A Magical Moon" retains the fantasy imagery, mystical atmosphere and poetic lyricism associated with Tyrannosaurus Rex while hinting at the more focused songwriting that would soon emerge on later releases.
"Find A Little Wood" complements the A-side with the whimsical and pastoral qualities that remained central to Marc Bolan's writing during this period.
Together the two tracks capture the transitional phase between the original Tyrannosaurus Rex sound and the more streamlined direction that followed.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• By The Light Of A Magical Moon – The first Tyrannosaurus Rex single featuring Mickey Finn and one of the final Regal Zonophone releases before the group's transformation into T. Rex.
• Find A Little Wood – A companion piece reflecting the band's trademark blend of fantasy, folk and lyrical imagination.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released by Regal Zonophone on January 16, 1970 under catalogue number RZ 3025.
Most copies were mistakenly issued with the title printed as "By The Light Of The Magical Moon" rather than the correct title "By The Light Of A Magical Moon".
Correctly titled copies are considerably scarcer than the misprinted version.
Commercial copies were issued with Regal Zonophone's red centre labels and were available in both push-out and solid-centre formats.
CHARTS
Chart | Peak Position |
UK Singles Chart | Did Not Chart |
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar
Mickey Finn — percussion, vocals
Tony Visconti — producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Tony Visconti
Production Company: Straight Ahead Productions
Studio: Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London
Label: Regal Zonophone
Country: UK
Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM, Stereo
Catalogue Number: RZ 3025
Publisher: Essex International
NOTES
• Released on January 16, 1970.
• First Tyrannosaurus Rex single to feature Mickey Finn.
• Recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• Both tracks were issued in stereo.
• The single failed to chart in the UK.
• The correct title is "By The Light Of A Magical Moon".
• Most copies were mistakenly pressed with the title "By The Light Of The Magical Moon".
• Correctly titled copies are significantly more difficult to locate than the common misprinted version.
• Promotional copies were also issued bearing the incorrect title.
• Both push-out and solid-centre commercial variants were manufactured.
• A solid-centre version exists with the correct title.
• An AdVision single-sided acetate of the A-side is known.
• No original picture sleeve was issued with the UK release.
• The commonly encountered picture sleeve was produced during the 1990s by Paul Johnson for the Marc Bolan fan club.
• The Paul Johnson sleeve is not an original 1970 issue.
RELATED RELEASES
• Tyrannosaurus Rex (July 25, 1969) – King Of The Rumbling Spires / Do You Remember Single UK: 7"
• Tyrannosaurus Rex (1970) – A Beard Of Stars Album UK: LP
• T. Rex (1970) – Ride A White Swan Single UK: 7"
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Date | Format | Catalogue Number |
UK | January 16, 1970 | 7" Single, Push-Out Centre | RZ 3025 |
UK | January 16, 1970 | 7" Single, Solid Centre | RZ 3025 |
UK | 1970 | Promo Single | RZ 3025 |
UK | 1970 | AdVision Single-Sided Acetate | Unknown |
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Country | Year | Label | Catalogue Number |
France | 1970 | Stateside | 2C 006-91133 M |
Germany | 1970 | Polydor | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Germany | 1970 | Polydor Promo | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Netherlands | 1970 | Stateside | 5C 006-91133 M |
Scandinavia | 1970 | Polydor | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Australia | 1970 | Festival Records | FK-3521 |
New Zealand | 1970 | Festival Records | FK-3521 |
Canada | 1972 | Blue Thumb Records | BTA 212X |
USA | 1972 | Blue Thumb Records | BTA 212 |
UK | 2014 | A&M Records Reissue | 376 713-4 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
7" Single | RZ 3025 | Side One • By The Light Of A Magical Moon Side Two • Find A Little Wood |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Side | Matrix / Runout |
Side One | 7YCAR 6975-1U / 1 I M |
Side Two | 7YCAR 6976-1U / 1 KT P |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Promo Copy | Usually carries incorrect title |
Push-Out Centre | Standard UK issue |
Solid Centre | Standard UK issue |
Correct Title Variant | Scarcer pressing with "A Magical Moon" |
Misprinted Variant | Uses "The Magical Moon" |
AdVision Acetate | Single-sided acetate of the A-side |
1990s Fan Club Sleeve | Produced by Paul Johnson |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, RockfilesUK.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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