📰 Fly Records Advert – New Releases : Oct. 1970
- T.Rex
- Oct 10, 1970
- 2 min read
A full‑page New Musical Express advertisement announcing the launch of Fly Records’ first two singles: T. Rex’s “Ride A White Swan” and The Move’s “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm.” The page positioned Fly as a bold new label, pairing striking artwork with high‑impact typography and a roster that signalled immediate credibility.
Publication: New Musical Express
Date: October 10, 1970
Format: Full‑page label advertisement
Writer: Fly Records (advertorial)
A moment of label‑launch swagger, pre‑glam momentum and early‑’70s rock marketing.
đź“° Key Highlights
• T. Rex promoted with the triple‑A‑side “Ride A White Swan / Is It Love / Summertime Blues”
• The Move featured with “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm / What?”
• Both releases branded under Fly’s new BUG catalogue series
• Bold graphic layout with illustrated pastoral imagery and the “Logo Colossal” tagline
• Positioned Fly Records as a major new player in the UK rock market
đź“° Overview
This advert captures a pivotal moment just before glam broke wide open. “Ride A White Swan” would soon become the single that transformed Marc Bolan from underground cult figure to mainstream star, and Fly Records used this launch page to signal ambition and identity. The Move’s inclusion reinforced the label’s credibility, linking Bolan’s rising mystique with an established Birmingham powerhouse.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: New Musical Express
Date: October 10, 1970
Format: Full‑page advertisement
Provenance Notes: Based on the original Fly Records promotional page.
đź“° The Story
The advert highlights:
• The strategic positioning of T. Rex as Fly’s flagship act
• The early branding of the BUG catalogue as a distinctive identity marker
• The transitional moment between Tyrannosaurus Rex’s folk‑psych era and Bolan’s electric reinvention
• The Move’s continued presence as a respected rock act
• The visual confidence of Fly Records’ launch campaign
The tone is bold, promotional and forward‑looking — a label announcing itself with style and intent.
đź“° Visual Archive
đź“° Closing Notes
A landmark promotional moment, this NME advert stands as the first public step in Fly Records’ rise — and the spark that would ignite T. Rex’s ascent into the glam era.
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