Marc Bolan With John's Children (1967) – Hippy Gumbo / Desdemona Acetate UK: 8"
This rare 8-inch double-sided acetate documents the brief but significant period when Marc Bolan was working with John's Children following his departure from the group as an official member.
The acetate couples Hippy Gumbo with Desdemona, two recordings closely associated with Bolan's creative partnership with the band during 1967. Surviving examples are particularly important because they preserve recordings from a period that bridged Bolan's work with John's Children and his subsequent solo recordings.
One example owned by Andy Ellison was later sold at auction, providing documented provenance for at least one surviving copy.
RECORDING
Both tracks were produced by Simon Napier Bell.
Recording took place at Spot Studios, South Molton Street, London.
The acetate was manufactured as an 8-inch double-sided studio reference disc.
The supplied label clearly identifies the recording as "Marc Bolan With John's Children".
STYLE & THEMES
Hippy Gumbo demonstrates the whimsical lyrical style that would become a hallmark of Bolan's later work, while Desdemona remains one of the most famous recordings associated with John's Children.
Together the two tracks represent a fascinating transitional point between Bolan's beat-group period and the imaginative songwriting style that would soon flourish in Tyrannosaurus Rex.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
SIDE ONE
• Hippy Gumbo – Acetate version credited to Marc Bolan with John's Children.
SIDE TWO
• Desdemona – One of the defining recordings associated with the Bolan and John's Children period.
RELEASE HISTORY
The acetate dates from 1967.
Produced as a studio reference disc, it was not intended as a commercial release.
A copy formerly owned by Andy Ellison and bearing the inscription "Marc Bolan With John's Children" sold at auction on January 18, 2025.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter
John's Children — performers
Simon Napier Bell — producer
Andy Ellison — former owner of documented acetate copy
PRODUCTION
Producer: Simon Napier Bell
Studio: Spot Studios
Location: South Molton Street, London
Format: 8" Double-Sided Acetate
Year: 1967
NOTES
• Produced by Simon Napier Bell.
• Recorded at Spot Studios, South Molton Street, London.
• Issued as an 8-inch double-sided acetate.
• Side One contains Hippy Gumbo.
• Side Two contains Desdemona.
• The supplied example is inscribed "Marc Bolan With John's Children".
• Created as a studio reference acetate rather than a commercial release.
• Surviving examples are extremely rare.
• Andy Ellison sold his copy at auction on January 18, 2025.
• According to the supplied source, the acetate realised approximately £400 at auction.
• The recording documents an important transitional period in Marc Bolan's career.
RELATED RELEASES
• John's Children (1967) – Desdemona Single UK: 7"
• Marc Bolan (November 25, 1966) – Hippy Gumbo / Misfit Single UK: 7"
• Marc Bolan With John's Children Acetates
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Year | Format | Notes |
UK | 1967 | 8" Double-Sided Acetate | Hippy Gumbo / Desdemona |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Tracklisting |
8" Double-Sided Acetate | Side One • Hippy Gumbo Side Two • Desdemona |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Andy Ellison Copy | Label inscribed "Marc Bolan With John's Children" |
Studio Acetate | 8-inch reference pressing |
SOURCES 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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