Mark Bolan (September 14, 1965) – The Wizard / San Francisco Poet / Beyond The Risin' Sun Single UK: Acetate
This rare Decca advance test recording acetate documents an exceptionally early stage in Marc Bolan's recording career. Produced by Jim Economides and recorded at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, the acetate preserves three songs associated with Bolan's formative recording activities during 1965.
Unlike the previously documented single-sided Decca acetates, this example combines three recordings on a single 8-inch double-sided acetate. As a result, it represents one of the most significant surviving artefacts from Bolan's earliest professional recording period.
The acetate was never intended as a commercial release and was produced strictly as a studio reference and test recording.
The recordings were made at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
Production duties were handled by Jim Economides.
The acetate is dated September 14, 1965 and was produced as a Decca Group Advance Test Recording.
The supplied labels identify the artist as Marc Bolan and show handwritten information relating to the tracks included on the disc.
STYLE & THEMES
The recordings belong to Marc Bolan's earliest documented studio period and pre-date both Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex.
The material captures Bolan during a period when he was still establishing his songwriting identity and experimenting with the styles that would eventually develop into his later work.
Because the acetate combines three songs from the same period, it provides a particularly valuable snapshot of Bolan's creative development during 1965.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
Side One
• The Wizard – Included as the first recording on Side One.
• San Francisco Poet – Appears as the second recording on Side One.
Side Two
• Beyond The Risin' Sun – Featured on the reverse side of the acetate.
RELEASE HISTORY
The acetate was produced on September 14, 1965 as a Decca advance test recording.
No commercial release has been supplied within the available source material.
The surviving acetate later appeared at auction, where it achieved a significant collector price due to its rarity and historical importance.
CHARTS
Not applicable.
CHART RUN
Not applicable.
CERTIFICATIONS
Not supplied.
AWARDS
Not supplied.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter
Jim Economides — producer
PRODUCTION
Marc Bolan recordings produced by Jim Economides at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
NOTES
• Recorded on September 14, 1965.
• Produced by Jim Economides.
• Recorded at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.
• Issued as a Decca Group Advance Test Recording.
• Exists as an 8-inch double-sided acetate.
• The supplied label identifies the artist as Marc Bolan.
• Side One contains both "The Wizard" and "San Francisco Poet".
• Side Two contains "Beyond The Risin' Sun".
• The acetate combines three recordings from the same recording period.
• The labels feature handwritten artist and track information.
• The acetate predates the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• The acetate predates the emergence of T. Rex by several years.
• This double-sided acetate sold at auction for £623 on February 23, 2015.
• Surviving examples are exceptionally rare.
• The recording is among the earliest known studio artefacts carrying the Marc Bolan name.
• The disc was created for testing and reference purposes rather than commercial sale.
RELATED RELEASES
• The Wizard
• Beyond The Risin' Sun
• San Francisco Poet
• That's The Bag I'm In
• Early Decca Acetates
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Label | Catalogue Number | Format | Notes |
UK | Decca Group | Unknown | 8" Double-Sided Acetate | The Wizard / San Francisco Poet / Beyond The Risin' Sun |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
8" Double-Sided Acetate | Unknown | Side One • The Wizard • San Francisco Poet Side Two • Beyond The Risin' Sun |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
8" Double-Sided Acetate | Sold at auction on February 23, 2015 |
Decca Advance Test Recording | Contemporary studio acetate |
Handwritten Label Variant | Artist and track details added by hand |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, 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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