Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Song For A Soldier Single UK: Acetate
This rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves another early Marc Bolan composition from the final days of 1965. Produced by Jim Economides and recorded at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, the disc forms part of an important group of surviving acetates documenting Bolan's songwriting development before his first commercial success.
The acetate contains a single recording, Song For A Soldier, and was created as a studio reference disc rather than for commercial release. Today it survives as one of the most desirable artefacts from Bolan's earliest recording period.
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 was cut onto 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
Song For A Soldier belongs to Marc Bolan's formative songwriting period and reflects the body of material he was creating before the emergence of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The recording survives as evidence of Bolan's early creative ambitions and demonstrates the breadth of material being recorded during his Decca-associated sessions.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Song For A Soldier – Early Marc Bolan recording preserved on a rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate.
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 demonstration, 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 Song For A Soldier 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) – Reality Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Rings Of Fortune Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (December 30, 1965) – Highways Single UK: Acetate
• Marc Bolan (September 14, 1965) – The Wizard Single UK: Acetate
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Label | Catalogue Number | Format | Notes |
UK | EMIDISC | Unknown | Single-Sided Acetate | Song For A Soldier |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate | Unknown | Side One • Song For A Soldier Side Two • Blank |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate | Contains Song For A Soldier only |
Mike Leander Label Copy | Artist name and title handwritten by Mike Leander |
Auctioned Copy | Sold for £2,350.00 on April 30, 2002 |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, 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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