T. Rex (February 20, 1976) – "London Boys" b/w "Solid Baby" Single: UK
Released on February 20, 1976 on Marc Bolan's own T. Rex label and distributed by EMI, "London Boys" was the lead single from the forthcoming Futuristic Dragon album.
The single paired the newly recorded "London Boys" with "Solid Baby", a track originally issued two years earlier on Bolan's Zip Gun. The release marked an important stage in T. Rex's commercial revival during 1976, becoming the group's first UK chart hit since 1974.
"London Boys" reached No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart and helped re-establish Marc Bolan's chart presence ahead of a renewed period of success that would continue through 1976 and 1977.
"London Boys" was recorded in London.
"Solid Baby" was recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California.
Both tracks were written and produced by Marc Bolan.
STYLE & THEMES
"London Boys" combined a polished pop-rock sound with the melodic hooks and lyrical style associated with Bolan's mid-1970s work.
"Solid Baby" reflected the funk and soul influences that had become increasingly apparent in T. Rex recordings during the Bolan's Zip Gun era.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• London Boys — A new recording released as the lead side of the single and later included on Futuristic Dragon.
• Solid Baby — Previously released album track selected as the B-side and taken from Bolan's Zip Gun.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released in the United Kingdom on February 20, 1976 under catalogue number MARC 13.
It was issued on Marc Bolan's T. Rex label with manufacturing and distribution handled by EMI.
The release charted for three weeks in the UK and reached a peak position of No. 40.
Promotional copies were also distributed to radio stations and are notable for a unique embossed tax code in the push-out centre.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
UNITED KINGDOM
Chart | First Chart Date | Peak | Weeks |
Official Singles Chart | March 6, 1976 | 40 | 3 |
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
Harry T. Moss (HTM) — lacquer cutting
PRODUCTION
Recorded in: London ("London Boys")
Recorded at: Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California ("Solid Baby")
Produced by: Marc Bolan
Label: T. Rex
Distributed by: EMI
Catalogue Number: MARC 13
NOTES
• Released on February 20, 1976 as the lead single from the Futuristic Dragon era.
• Reached No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart.
• The single remained on the UK chart for three weeks.
• "London Boys" was recorded in London.
• "Solid Baby" was recorded at Music Recorders Inc. in Hollywood, California.
• "Solid Baby" had already appeared on the 1974 album Bolan's Zip Gun.
• Both tracks were produced by Marc Bolan.
• Original UK pressings were manufactured by EMI.
• The single was released on Marc Bolan's own T. Rex label under catalogue number MARC 13.
• Promo copies are particularly notable for featuring an embossed purchase tax code in the push-out centre.
• The embossed code is "MT", originally associated with the first six months of 1963.
• According to collectors, all known promotional copies of "London Boys" carry this unusual embossed tax code.
• This was reportedly the first Marc Bolan/T. Rex UK single since "Pewter Suitor" (January 1969) to feature an embossed tax code.
• No other known Bolan or T. Rex singles issued after "Pewter Suitor" are reported to carry embossed tax codes.
• Collectors have identified at least two B-side label variations, including copies with differing label layouts and examples without a printed B-side label.
• Run-out inscriptions include: • Side 1: YMARC 13 A-1 / 1 H HTM • Side 2: YMARC 13 B-1 / 1 O HTM
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
T. Rex | London Boys | T. Rex | UK | MARC 13 | February 20, 1976 | 7" Single |
T. Rex | London Boys | T. Rex | UK | MARC 13 | February 20, 1976 | 7" Promo |
T. Rex | London Boys | Ariola | Germany | 16 753 AT | 1976 | 7" Single |
T. Rex | London Boys | EMI | Japan | EMR-10951 | 1976 | 7" Single |
T. Rex | London Boys | EMI | Japan | EMR-10951 | 1976 | 7" White Label Promo |
T. Rex | London Boys | T. Rex | New Zealand | MARC 13 | 1976 | 7" Single |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
7" Single | MARC 13 | Side 1: London Boys Side 2: Solid Baby |
7" Promo | MARC 13 | Side 1: London Boys Side 2: Solid Baby |
German 7" | 16 753 AT | Side 1: London Boys Side 2: Solid Baby |
Japanese 7" | EMR-10951 | Side 1: London Boys Side 2: Solid Baby |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Demon Records, Rockfiles, Official Marc Bolan archives, All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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