The Wizard Single

A Folk-Rock Spell From The Future Glam God

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 19, 1965, on Decca Records (catalogue: F.12288), Marc Bolan’s “The Wizard” was his debut solo single — pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex, when he was still billed as Marc Bolan (with the umlaut). Backed with “Beyond The Risin’ Sun,” this raw, Dylan-influenced folk-rock gem was produced by Jim Economides with Mike Leander as music director. Pressed by The Decca Record Co. Ltd. in the UK, issued in standard four-prong push-out centre and two promo variants (catalogued and white label), it’s the first spark of Bolan’s glitter-to-come.

Single Overview

Label: Decca Records.

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single.

Full Track Listing

Side A

The Wizard

Side B

Beyond The Risin' Sun

Variants (all supplied)

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – Decca F.12288 – UK – 1965

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo – Decca F.12288 – UK – 1965

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo – Decca none (white label) – UK – 1965

Some of the single reviews below

"... it has a most intriguing lyric, and his Sonny Bono-like voice is offset by a solid thumping beat and ethereal voices..." - Derek Johnson, NME

"It's a very raw sound, like Barry McGuire, which is a bit too raucous for the hit parade. It doesn't do anything for me." - Judith Durham (The Seekers), Blind Date, Melody Maker

"On the strength of this strange young man's looks and weird background I suspect we'll hear more of this odd record... I prefer the other side, 'Beyond The Rising Sun' which has more tune. Jim Economides, ace producer,

"Does lovely things on this. I'm a bit put off by the way this boy sings with Dylan phrasing, but that's all." - Disc

Production and Context

Produced by Jim Economides. Music Director: Mike Leander. Written by Bolan (A), Bölan (B – early umlaut). Recorded 1965. Bolan’s first solo release after leaving John's Children, still in folk mode before the psychedelic Tyrannosaurus Rex era.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

No chart entry.

Legacy and Collectibility

“The Wizard” is Marc Bolan’s debut solo single — raw folk-rock genesis of a glam god. . Verify catalogue F.12288.

This single is a must-have for Bolan/T. Rex completists and ‘60s folk collectors.

In 2023, an unofficial colored vinyl edition of the single was released, featuring three postcards and packaged in a replica Decca sleeve. Just 25 copies were produced.

Do you have The Wizard in your vinyl stack? Did it cast a spell on you? Share in the comments!

Sources

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