Tyrannosaurus Rex (January 17, 1970) – “By The Light Of The Magical Moon” Advert & Review- Melody Maker
This Melody Maker advertisement promotes Tyrannosaurus Rex's single "By The Light Of The Magical Moon". Featuring a publicity photograph of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, the advert supported the duo's first single release following the departure of Took's predecessor from the group and continued Tyrannosaurus Rex's association with Regal Zonophone.
Publication: Melody Maker
Date: January 17, 1970
Country: United Kingdom
This small but eye-catching advertisement promotes Tyrannosaurus Rex's single "By The Light Of The Magical Moon", released on Regal Zonophone RZ 3025.
The advert features a black-and-white publicity photograph of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, seated together with percussion equipment visible in the foreground. Above the image appears the band's name in large bold lettering, while the single title and catalogue number are displayed to the right.
The design is characteristically simple, relying on the duo's image and the distinctive Tyrannosaurus Rex name rather than extensive promotional text. The advertisement reflects the band's established visual identity during their final fully acoustic period before the musical changes that would eventually lead to the emergence of T. Rex.
Appearing in Melody Maker, the advert was aimed directly at the paper's music-focused readership and formed part of Regal Zonophone's promotion for the latest Tyrannosaurus Rex release.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Released in early 1970, "By The Light Of The Magical Moon" followed "King Of The Rumbling Spires" and arrived during a period of transition for Marc Bolan. While the group still retained the mystical folk-psychedelic characteristics that had defined their late-1960s work, Bolan was already beginning to explore ideas that would soon lead to a more commercial direction.
The advertisement captures one of the final chapters of the original Tyrannosaurus Rex era before the transformation into T. Rex later in 1970.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Promotion of "By The Light Of The Magical Moon"
Era: Final Tyrannosaurus Rex period
Tone: Promotional
Photography: Publicity photograph of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Advertisement for "By The Light Of The Magical Moon"
• Regal Zonophone catalogue number RZ 3025
• Photograph of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took
• Contemporary music paper promotion
• Early 1970 Tyrannosaurus Rex publicity campaign
Released on January 16, 1970, By The Light Of A Magical Moon was the first Tyrannosaurus Rex single to feature Mickey Finn following the departure of Steve Peregrin Took. Issued on Regal Zonophone under catalogue number RZ 3025, the single marked the beginning of a new chapter in the group's history.
Although the release failed to chart in the UK, it remains a significant recording in the Tyrannosaurus Rex catalogue, documenting the first officially released recordings featuring the Bolan and Finn partnership that would continue through the remainder of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era and into the early T. Rex years.
Both tracks were recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
Production was handled by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions.
Both sides were issued in stereo.
An AdVision single-sided acetate of the A-side is known to exist and survives as one of the more desirable pre-release variants associated with the single.
STYLE & THEMES
"By The Light Of A Magical Moon" retains the fantasy imagery, mystical atmosphere and poetic lyricism associated with Tyrannosaurus Rex while hinting at the more focused songwriting that would soon emerge on later releases.
"Find A Little Wood" complements the A-side with the whimsical and pastoral qualities that remained central to Marc Bolan's writing during this period.
Together the two tracks capture the transitional phase between the original Tyrannosaurus Rex sound and the more streamlined direction that followed.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• By The Light Of A Magical Moon – The first Tyrannosaurus Rex single featuring Mickey Finn and one of the final Regal Zonophone releases before the group's transformation into T. Rex.
• Find A Little Wood – A companion piece reflecting the band's trademark blend of fantasy, folk and lyrical imagination.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released by Regal Zonophone on January 16, 1970 under catalogue number RZ 3025.
Most copies were mistakenly issued with the title printed as "By The Light Of The Magical Moon" rather than the correct title "By The Light Of A Magical Moon".
Correctly titled copies are considerably scarcer than the misprinted version.
Commercial copies were issued with Regal Zonophone's red centre labels and were available in both push-out and solid-centre formats.
CHARTS
Chart | Peak Position |
UK Singles Chart | Did Not Chart |
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar
Mickey Finn — percussion, vocals
Tony Visconti — producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Tony Visconti
Production Company: Straight Ahead Productions
Studio: Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London
Label: Regal Zonophone
Country: UK
Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM, Stereo
Catalogue Number: RZ 3025
Publisher: Essex International
NOTES
• Released on January 16, 1970.
• First Tyrannosaurus Rex single to feature Mickey Finn.
• Recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• Both tracks were issued in stereo.
• The single failed to chart in the UK.
• The correct title is "By The Light Of A Magical Moon".
• Most copies were mistakenly pressed with the title "By The Light Of The Magical Moon".
• Correctly titled copies are significantly more difficult to locate than the common misprinted version.
• Promotional copies were also issued bearing the incorrect title.
• Both push-out and solid-centre commercial variants were manufactured.
• A solid-centre version exists with the correct title.
• An AdVision single-sided acetate of the A-side is known.
• No original picture sleeve was issued with the UK release.
• The commonly encountered picture sleeve was produced during the 1990s by Paul Johnson for the Marc Bolan fan club.
• The Paul Johnson sleeve is not an original 1970 issue.
RELATED RELEASES
• Tyrannosaurus Rex (July 25, 1969) – King Of The Rumbling Spires / Do You Remember Single UK: 7"
• Tyrannosaurus Rex (1970) – A Beard Of Stars Album UK: LP
• T. Rex (1970) – Ride A White Swan Single UK: 7"
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Date | Format | Catalogue Number |
UK | January 16, 1970 | 7" Single, Push-Out Centre | RZ 3025 |
UK | January 16, 1970 | 7" Single, Solid Centre | RZ 3025 |
UK | 1970 | Promo Single | RZ 3025 |
UK | 1970 | AdVision Single-Sided Acetate | Unknown |
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Country | Year | Label | Catalogue Number |
France | 1970 | Stateside | 2C 006-91133 M |
Germany | 1970 | Polydor | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Germany | 1970 | Polydor Promo | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Netherlands | 1970 | Stateside | 5C 006-91133 M |
Scandinavia | 1970 | Polydor | 200 1011 / 2001 011 |
Australia | 1970 | Festival Records | FK-3521 |
New Zealand | 1970 | Festival Records | FK-3521 |
Canada | 1972 | Blue Thumb Records | BTA 212X |
USA | 1972 | Blue Thumb Records | BTA 212 |
UK | 2014 | A&M Records Reissue | 376 713-4 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
7" Single | RZ 3025 | Side One • By The Light Of A Magical Moon Side Two • Find A Little Wood |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Side | Matrix / Runout |
Side One | 7YCAR 6975-1U / 1 I M |
Side Two | 7YCAR 6976-1U / 1 KT P |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Promo Copy | Usually carries incorrect title |
Push-Out Centre | Standard UK issue |
Solid Centre | Standard UK issue |
Correct Title Variant | Scarcer pressing with "A Magical Moon" |
Misprinted Variant | Uses "The Magical Moon" |
AdVision Acetate | Single-sided acetate of the A-side |
1990s Fan Club Sleeve | Produced by Paul Johnson |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, 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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