🔘 Marc's Christmas Bop – Single: Nov. 1975

In the glitter-dusted winter of 1975, Marc Bolan was preparing what could have been T. Rex’s festive chart return. “Marc’s Christmas Bop” was a playful, upbeat boogie number recorded with his girlfriend Gloria Jones on backing vocals, capturing Bolan’s signature rock ‘n’ roll energy with a seasonal twist.

Scheduled for release on November 14, 1975 (with some sources noting plans around late November), the single was catalogued as MARC 12 on the T. Rex Wax Co. label. Backed with a proposed coupling of “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru,” this three-track 7-inch ultimately remained unreleased during Bolan’s lifetime, making it one of the most sought-after “what if” records in glam rock history.

Label: T. Rex Wax Co. / EMI Records

Catalogue Number: MARC 12

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Push-Out/Solid Centre)

Released: Unreleased (scheduled November 14, 1975)

🔘 Track List

Proposed UK 7" Single — T. Rex Wax Co. – MARC 12 — 1975

A. Marc's Christmas Bop

B. Telegram Sam / Metal Guru

Written by: Marc Bolan

Produced by: Marc Bolan

Recorded: 1975

🔘 Key Highlights

• Scheduled for November 14, 1975 (never officially released in Bolan’s lifetime)

• Festive glam boogie featuring Gloria Jones on backing vocals

• Planned as a triple-track single reusing two earlier hits on the B-side

• Became a highly collectable unreleased item, with test pressings and labels existing

• First officially issued in 1982 on Marc On Wax

🔘 The Story

“Marc’s Christmas Bop” was recorded in 1975 as T. Rex’s intended Christmas single. EMI even produced labels and sleeves for the release (catalogued MARC 12), pairing the new festive track with two of Bolan’s biggest hits, “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru.” However, the single was ultimately shelved and never issued at the time.

The track itself is a fun, bouncy boogie number in classic T. Rex style. It finally saw official release in 1982 on the Marc On Wax label and has since appeared on various compilations. For collectors, original test pressings and printed labels from the aborted 1975 run remain highly prized artefacts of the glam era.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Push-Out Centre — T. Rex Wax Co. – MARC 12 — UK — 1975 (unreleased/test pressing)

• Labels and sleeves were printed but the single was cancelled

• First official release: 1982 on Marc On Wax (SBOLAN 12)

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

Did not chart (unreleased in 1975).

Total Weeks: 0

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: “Marc's Christmas Bop” – festive glam boogie with playful energy and Gloria Jones on backing vocals.

• B-side: Planned as “Telegram Sam” / “Metal Guru” – a double-sided nod to two of T. Rex’s biggest hits.

• Production: Marc Bolan – self-produced in his typical raw, energetic style.

• Sleeve notes: Standard T. Rex company sleeve was prepared but never issued.

• Historical placement: Intended as T. Rex’s 1975 Christmas single during the declining phase of glam rock; its cancellation reflects the changing musical climate of the mid-1970s.

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Officially released in 1982; later included on various T. Rex rarities and Christmas compilations.

🔘 Related Material

• New York City (1975)

• I Love To Boogie (1976)

• Christmas Bop (1982 official release)

• Telegram Sam (1972)

• Metal Guru (1972)

🔘 Discography

New York City – Single: 1975

I Love To Boogie – Single: 1976

Marc's Christmas Bop – Single: Unreleased 1975 (issued 1982)

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1975 — Recorded as a proposed Christmas single

✦ November 14, 1975 — Scheduled UK release date (cancelled)

✦ 1982 — First official release on Marc On Wax

🔘 Glam Flashback

With a boogie beat and festive cheer, Marc Bolan nearly brought “Marc’s Christmas Bop” to the charts in 1975 — a glittery ghost of glam that finally emerged years later to delight collectors and fans alike.

#ReleaseChronicle #TRex #MarcsChristmasBop #1975 #TRexWaxCo

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: T. Rex Wax Co., EMI Records, Discogs, archival references and collector documentation.