Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Reality Single UK: Acetate

This rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves another early Marc Bolan recording from the final days of 1965. Produced by Jim Economides and recorded at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, the acetate forms part of an important group of surviving demonstration discs documenting Bolan's songwriting and recording activity before his commercial breakthrough.
The disc contains a single recording, Reality, and survives as a studio reference acetate rather than a commercial release. Its significance has been reflected in its desirability among collectors, with a surviving example achieving a substantial auction price decades after its creation.

RECORDING
The recording was made at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
Production duties were handled by Jim Economides.
The acetate is dated December 30, 1965 and survives as a single-sided EMIDISC recording blank.
The handwritten artist name and song title on the label were written by music director Mike Leander.
STYLE & THEMES
Reality belongs to Marc Bolan's formative recording period and represents part of the body of work created before the emergence of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The surviving acetate offers a glimpse into Bolan's early songwriting development during a pivotal stage in his career, when he was still establishing his musical identity.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Reality – Early Marc Bolan recording preserved on a rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate.
• Blank.
RELEASE HISTORY
The acetate was produced on December 30, 1965.
No commercial release information has been supplied.
The recording survives as a studio acetate created for evaluation and reference purposes.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter
Jim Economides — producer
Mike Leander — handwritten label annotations
PRODUCTION
Producer: Jim Economides
Studio: Decca Studios
Location: Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London
Format: Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate
Recording Date: December 30, 1965
NOTES
• Recorded on December 30, 1965.
• Produced by Jim Economides.
• Recorded at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
• Issued as a single-sided EMIDISC acetate.
• Features Reality on the A-side.
• Reverse side is blank.
• The handwritten artist name and song title were written by music director Mike Leander.
• The acetate was created as a studio reference recording rather than a commercial release.
• The label identifies the artist as Marc Bolan.
• This acetate sold at auction for £2,350.00 on April 30, 2002.
• Surviving examples are extremely rare.
• The recording belongs to Bolan's pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex period.
RELATED RELEASES
• Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Highways Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Rings Of Fortune Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (September 14, 1965) – The Wizard Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (September 14, 1965) – Beyond The Risin' Sun Single UK: Acetate
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Label | Catalogue Number | Format | Notes |
UK | EMIDISC | Unknown | Single-Sided Acetate | Reality |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate | Unknown | Side One • Reality Side Two • Blank |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate | Contains Reality only |
Mike Leander Label Copy | Artist name and title handwritten by Mike Leander |
Auctioned Copy | Sold for £2,350.00 on April 30, 2002 |
OURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
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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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