Marc Bolan (November 1966) – Misfit Single UK: Acetate

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This rare single-sided EMIDISC acetate preserves an early recording of Misfit, the B-side that would later accompany Hippy Gumbo on Marc Bolan's first Parlophone single.

Produced by Simon Napier Bell and recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London, the acetate documents Bolan's songwriting during the crucial transitional period immediately before the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Together with the surviving Hippy Gumbo acetate, it forms part of an important group of studio reference discs prepared ahead of the commercial release of Hippy Gumbo / Misfit.

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RECORDING

Misfit was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London.

Production was handled by Simon Napier Bell.

The recording survives as a single-sided EMIDISC acetate dating from November 1966.

Unlike the Hippy Gumbo acetate, which carries an original Marc Bolan doodle on its label, the Misfit acetate features a simpler handwritten title and artist credit.

STYLE & THEMES

Misfit captures a more reflective side of Bolan's songwriting and provides a contrast to the whimsical and playful atmosphere of Hippy Gumbo.

The acetate preserves an important recording from Bolan's pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex period, documenting the continuing development of the lyrical and musical ideas that would soon define his work.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

SIDE ONE

• Misfit – Early studio acetate version later issued as the B-side of Hippy Gumbo.

RELEASE HISTORY

The acetate dates from November 1966.

Produced as a studio reference disc, it predates or accompanied preparation for the commercial Parlophone release of Hippy Gumbo / Misfit.

The recording survives as a single-sided acetate rather than a commercial pressing.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter

Simon Napier Bell — producer

PRODUCTION

Producer: Simon Napier Bell

Studio: De Lane Lea Studios

Location: Kingsway, London

Format: Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate

Recording Date: November 1966

NOTES

• Recorded during November 1966.

• Produced by Simon Napier Bell.

• Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London.

• Issued as a single-sided EMIDISC acetate.

• Features Misfit on the recorded side.

• Reverse side is blank.

• Prepared as a studio reference acetate.

• The label identifies the artist as Marc Bolan.

• The label includes the handwritten notation "1.56", indicating the running time.

• Forms a companion piece to the surviving Hippy Gumbo acetate.

• The Hippy Gumbo acetate from the same period features an original doodle by Marc Bolan.

• Surviving examples are extremely rare.

• The recording predates the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

RELATED RELEASES

• Marc Bolan (November 1966) – Hippy Gumbo Single UK: Acetate

• Marc Bolan (November 25, 1966) – Hippy Gumbo / Misfit Single UK: 7"

• Marc Bolan (1966) – Mustang Ford Acetates

• Marc Bolan (1966) – Cat Black Acetates

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Country	Label	Catalogue Number	Format	Notes
UK	EMIDISC	Unknown	Single-Sided Acetate	Misfit

TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)

Format	Catalogue Number	Tracklisting
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate	Unknown	Side One • Misfit Side Two • Blank

SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS

Variant	Notes
Single-Sided EMIDISC Acetate	Contains Misfit only
Studio Reference Acetate	Produced prior to commercial release
Handwritten Label Copy	Includes running time notation "1.56"

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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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