# Marc Bolan: Hippy Gumbo

Bolan's Misfit B-Side Gem

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 25, 1966, on Parlophone Records (catalogue: R 5539), Marc Bolan’s “Hippy Gumbo” was his third and final solo single before forming Tyrannosaurus Rex. Backed with “Misfit,” this raw psych-folk gem — produced by Simon Napier-Bell — was written by Marc Bolan. Issued in standard, promo, and acetate variants (with a rare 1967 repress), it’s the last spark of Bolan’s mod-folk era.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: Parlophone Records.

Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (standard / promo / acetate).

Full Track Listing

Side A

Hippy Gumbo

Side B

Misfit

UK Variants

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – Parlophone R 5539 – UK – 1966

- 7", Single, Promo – Parlophone R 5539 – UK – 1966

- Acetate, 7", Single Sided – Not On Label none – UK – 1966

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – Parlophone R 5539 – UK – 1967 (repress)

Production and Context

Produced by Simon Napier-Bell. Written by Marc Bolan. Published Robbins Music Ltd. (Hippy Gumbo), Nomis Recordings (Misfit). Bolan’s final solo single before Tyrannosaurus Rex — still in mod-folk mode.

Chart Performance

No chart entry.

Legacy and Collectibility

“Hippy Gumbo” is Marc Bolan’s rare pre-T. Rex psych-folk single. Original UK Parlophone pressings fetch £100–£300 on eBay/Discogs, promo/acetate £400+. Verify catalogue R 5539. Streams limited (often on compilations). This single is a must-have for Bolan/T. Rex completists.

Do you have Hippy Gumbo in your vinyl stack? Does the misfit fit? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube