🔘 A Beard Of Stars – Album US: Jun. 1970

Tyrannosaurus Rex’s fourth studio album marked a pivotal transition, blending their established acoustic psychedelic folk with the first confident steps toward an electric sound. Recorded after the departure of Steve Peregrin Took and the arrival of Mickey Finn, the album introduced a new dynamic within the duo while retaining Marc Bolan’s mystical lyrical style.

Released on June 6, 1970 by Blue Thumb (BTS 18), the album marked a significant evolution in the group’s sound. Produced by Tony Visconti, it showcased Bolan’s growing use of electric guitar and a more expansive sonic palette. The release generated positive critical reception and reached #21 on the UK Albums Chart.

Label: Blue Thumb

Catalogue Number: BTS 18

Format: LP (12")

Released: June 6, 1970 (US)

🔘 Track List

US LP — Blue Thumb – BTS 18 — 1970

Side A

• Prelude

• A Day Laye

• The Woodland Bop

• Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart

• Pavilions Of Sun

• Organ Blues

• By The Light Of A Magical Moon

• Wind Cheetah

Side B

• A Beard Of Stars

• Great Horse

• Dragon’s Ear

• Lofty Skies

• Dove

• Elemental Child

Writing Credits

• Marc Bolan — all tracks

• Marc Bolan — lyrics

• Marc Bolan — compositions

Production Credits

• Produced by: Tony Visconti

• Arranged by: Tyrannosaurus Rex

• Recorded: 1969–1970 / Trident Studios

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released June 6, 1970

• Lead single(s): “By the Light of a Magical Moon”

• Chart performance: UK peak #21

• Recorded at: Trident Studios

• Notable collaborators: Mickey Finn, Tony Visconti

• Era significance: first album with Mickey Finn; transition toward electric sound

🔘 The Story

Following the release of Unicorn, Marc Bolan sought to expand the musical direction of Tyrannosaurus Rex. His purchase of an electric guitar in early 1969 signaled a shift, but tensions with Steve Peregrin Took hindered progress. Took’s desire to contribute his own songs, combined with personal conflicts, led to his departure after the group’s American tour in late 1969.

Bolan recruited Mickey Finn in October 1969, and sessions for A Beard of Stars resumed with renewed focus. Finn’s percussion and backing vocals complemented Bolan’s evolving style, while Tony Visconti’s production added clarity and depth. The album blended acoustic mysticism with emerging electric elements, culminating in the powerful closing track “Elemental Child.”

The front and back cover photography by Pete Sanders featured Bolan on the front and Finn on the back. The album included an insert containing credits and most of the lyrics. It was released in the UK by Regal Zonophone and in the US by Blue Thumb.

A Beard of Stars reached #21 on the UK Albums Chart and was well‑received by critics, who praised the tasteful use of electric guitar and the album’s overall progression. It marked the final Tyrannosaurus Rex album before the transition into the T. Rex era.

🔘 Personnel

• Marc Bolan — lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, chord organ, bass

• Mickey Finn — Moroccan clay drums, tabla, finger cymbals, bass, backing vocals

• Tony Visconti — producer, piano

• Malcolm Toft — engineer

• Pete Sanders — photography

🔘 Variants (US)

Variant 1 — Original US Pressing

Label: Blue Thumb Records – BTS 18, Blue Thumb Records – 7121

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold, Jacksonville Pressing

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

Country: US

• Original US pressing includes a bonus 7" single featuring “Ride A White Swan” (A‑side) and “Is It Love” (B‑side).

• This is not to be confused with the US stock version, which features “Summertime Blues” as the B‑side, although both share the same catalogue number (7121).

• Bonus single labels include the text: “BONUS – NOT FOR SALE” and “Recorded in England”.

Variant 1 — Original US Pressing

Label: Blue Thumb Records – BTS 18

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo, Santa Maria, Gatefold

Variant 3 — 8‑Track Cartridge

Label: Blue Thumb Records – BLE M 88818

Format: 8‑Track Cartridge

A1 Prelude

A2 A Day Laye

A3 Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart

A4 By The Light Of A Magical Moon

B1 A Beard Of Stars

B2 Great Horse

B3 Elemental Child

C1 Woodland Bop

C2 Wind Cheetah

C3 Dragon's Ear

C4 Dove

D1 Pavilions Of Sun

D2 Organ Blues

D3 Lofty Skies

🔘 Sleeves

• Primary sleeve description: Pete Sanders photography featuring Marc Bolan on the front and Mickey Finn on the back

• Back cover notes: credits, Blue Thumb branding

• Record label notes: Blue Thumb labels

• Alternate sleeves / regional variants: US Blue Thumb edition

• Four titles in the gatefold lyric sheet are spelled differently than on the label: “The Woodland Bop”, “Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart”, “Pavilions of Sun”, and “Wind Cheetah”.

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Albums Chart

Peak Position: 21

First Chart Date: 1970

Australia — Kent Music Report

Peak Position: 27

🔘 Context & Notes

• Album era: transitional period between acoustic folk and electric rock

• Singles: “By the Light of a Magical Moon”

• Production: Tony Visconti

• Sleeve notes: photography by Pete Sanders

• Historical placement: final Tyrannosaurus Rex album before the T. Rex era

• Reissues / remasters: 1972 Cube Records double‑album with Unicorn (#44 UK)

🔘 Related Material

• Unicorn

• T. Rex

• “By the Light of a Magical Moon”

🔘 Discography

Unicorn — 1969

A Beard Of Stars — 1970

T. Rex — 1970

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1969 — Initial sessions begin

✦ Oct 1969 — Mickey Finn joins

✦ June 6, 1970 — Album released (US)

✦ 1970 — UK chart peak (#21)

🔘 Glam Flashback

The beard grew electric, and Bolan’s future roared into view.

#ReleaseChronicle #TyrannosaurusRex #ABeardOfStars #1970 #BlueThumb

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Blue Thumb, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

🔘 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. 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.