Mark Feld / Toby Tyler (January 1, 1964) – The Road I'm On (Gloria) / Blowin' In The Wind Single UK: Acetate
These rare 1964 EMIDISC acetates document some of Marc Bolan's earliest known studio recordings, made before he adopted the Marc Bolan stage name permanently. At the time, he was still using his birth name, Mark Feld, while experimenting with a variety of possible professional identities.
The acetates are credited to Toby Tyler, one of several names considered by Feld during this formative period. Surviving examples reveal alterations made directly to the labels, providing a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of the future T. Rex frontman's public identity.
Three copies are known to exist: two double-sided acetates containing both tracks and one single-sided acetate containing only "The Road I'm On (Gloria)".
The recordings were made at Vic Keary's Maximum Sound Studios, 47 Dean Street, Soho, London.
The surviving double-sided acetates contain "The Road I'm On (Gloria)" and a rendition of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind".
A separate single-sided acetate contains only "The Road I'm On (Gloria)".
These recordings date from 1964 and represent some of the earliest surviving examples of Feld's professional studio work.
STYLE & THEMES
"The Road I'm On (Gloria)" reflects the folk-pop influences Feld was exploring during his early career.
"Blowin' In The Wind" demonstrates the strong influence that contemporary folk music, particularly Bob Dylan, had on his musical development during the mid-1960s.
Together, the acetates capture a young performer experimenting with both repertoire and identity before establishing the artistic direction that would eventually lead to Tyrannosaurus Rex and T. Rex.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• The Road I'm On (Gloria) — Original composition featured on both the double-sided and single-sided acetates.
• Blowin' In The Wind — Interpretation of the Bob Dylan composition included on the double-sided acetates.
RELEASE HISTORY
These recordings were never commercially released as contemporary singles.
Instead, they survive as EMIDISC acetates cut during 1964 for evaluation and demonstration purposes.
Two known copies exist as double-sided acetates, while a third surviving example contains only "The Road I'm On (Gloria)".
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
No chart information available.
CERTIFICATIONS
None.
AWARDS
None.
PERSONNEL
Mark Feld (later Marc Bolan) — vocals, performer
Vic Keary — recording engineer/studio proprietor
PRODUCTION
Recorded at: Vic Keary's Maximum Sound Studios, 47 Dean Street, Soho, London
Format: EMIDISC Acetate
Date: 1964
NOTES
• The acetates were originally typed with the name Mark Feld before being altered by hand.
• On surviving copies, the typed name was crossed out and replaced with Toby Tyler.
• The name Riggs also appears struck through on the labels, indicating another possible stage name considered during the same period.
• Riggs was reportedly the first name of actor Riggs O'Hara, with whom Feld shared accommodation for a time.
• Another flatmate during this period was actor James Bolam.
• One theory suggests that the surname "Bolan" may have been influenced by the name Bolam, although this has never been conclusively confirmed.
• Another long-standing theory proposes that "Bolan" was derived from combining elements of the name Bob Dylan.
• These label alterations reveal a period when Feld was still deciding upon a permanent professional identity.
• Three acetates are currently known: two double-sided examples and one single-sided pressing.
• The single-sided acetate contains only "The Road I'm On (Gloria)".
• The double-sided acetates contain both "The Road I'm On (Gloria)" and "Blowin' In The Wind".
• The surviving labels provide valuable documentary evidence of Feld's earliest recording activities before the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• The images supplied clearly show handwritten alterations, with "Toby Tyler" written over crossed-out original text.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Format | Label | Date |
Toby Tyler | The Road I'm On (Gloria) / Blowin' In The Wind | Double-Sided Acetate | EMIDISC | 1964 |
Toby Tyler | The Road I'm On (Gloria) / Blowin' In The Wind | Double-Sided Acetate | EMIDISC | 1964 |
Toby Tyler | The Road I'm On (Gloria) | Single-Sided Acetate | EMIDISC | 1964 |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Tracklisting |
Double-Sided Acetate | Side 1: The Road I'm On (Gloria) Side 2: Blowin' In The Wind |
Single-Sided Acetate | Side 1: The Road I'm On (Gloria) |
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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