John's Children (July 7, 1967) - "Midsummer Night's Scene" / "Sara, Crazy Child" Single: UK
Updated: Oct 5
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 After Marc Bolan departed the group the record was withdrawn from circulation.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 destroyed. Contemporary collector data records eight owners and twenty-five individuals seeking the item, with a price guide value listed at six thousand three hundred and thirty-two pounds. Visual documentation distinguishes authentic original copies from later forgeries and reproductions; one counterfeit example changed hands on an online auction platform on the first of June two thousand nine for one hundred and seventy-seven dollars, equivalent to one hundred and seven pounds at the time. A subsequent British reproduction appeared in two thousand thirteen as a limited run of five hundred units, each packaged in a distinctive Japanese-influenced psychedelic sleeve.
The tracks were committed to tape at Spot Studios, located on South Molton Street in London.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Midsummer Night’s Scene — Credited to Bolan and assigned a community rating of seven point four.
• Sara, Crazy Child — Likewise credited to Bolan and carrying an identical community rating of seven point four.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was prepared for release on Track Record under catalogue number 604005 in June of nineteen sixty-seven, with one source noting a date of the seventh of July nineteen sixty-seven. It was never granted an official commercial issue. Subsequent unofficial reissues appeared in Europe in two thousand twelve (solid centre) and in the United Kingdom in both two thousand thirteen (jukebox centre) and two thousand fourteen (solid centre).
NOTES
Authentic original pressings are distinguished from later forgeries and reproductions. One documented counterfeit sold via online auction on the first of June two thousand nine. The two-thousand-thirteen British reproduction was issued as a limited edition of five hundred copies complete with a unique Japanese-style psychedelic sleeve. Both sides of the original single received community ratings of seven point four. The record remains one of the rarest United Kingdom forty-fives of its era, withdrawn following Marc Bolan’s exit from the group, with roughly fifty surviving examples.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
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