📰 Their Music Is As Unusual As Their Name – News: Apr. 1968

A warm, curious tone runs through this 1968 feature, capturing Tyrannosaurus Rex at the very beginning of their journey. The clipping radiates the sense of discovery that surrounded Marc Bolan and Steve Took as they emerged from London’s underground clubs into the wider pop conversation.

📰 Quotes from the Article

“‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ means ‘King of the Lizards.’”

“Their music is as unusual as their name.”

📰 What the Clipping Shows

The clipping is a mid‑column feature with a bold introductory paragraph explaining the origins of the name Tyrannosaurus Rex, followed by a short profile of Marc Bolan and Steve Took. The layout is typical of late‑1960s regional press: dense text, no headline photograph, and a conversational tone aimed at general readers.

Typography is clean and functional, with the duo’s name given prominence. The article highlights their unusual sound, their early support from John Peel, and their first recordings for Regal Zonophone.

This clipping matters because it documents one of the earliest newspaper profiles of Tyrannosaurus Rex, capturing their transition from underground curiosity to a nationally noticed act.

📰 The Story Behind It

In April 1968, the Evening News and Star introduced its readers to Tyrannosaurus Rex, describing the duo’s name, origins, and growing reputation. The article explains that Marc Bolan and Steve Took chose the name because they liked the idea of something ancient and powerful once having existed.

“‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ means ‘King of the Lizards.’”

The piece emphasises how quickly the duo had become a talking point in the pop world. John Peel had championed Marc’s earlier solo single “Hippie Gumbo” on The Perfumed Garden, and continued to feature the duo on Top Gear and his late‑night Radio One programme. Their first public appearance in Hyde Park is noted, along with performances at London clubs and the Purcell Room.

“Their music is as unusual as their name.”

The article closes by noting their recent signing to producer Tony Visconti and the release of their debut Regal Zonophone single “Deborah”, marking the beginning of their recording career and the first steps toward the cult following they would soon build.

📰 Publication Details

Publication: Evening News and Star (Late Final)

Date: 19 April 1968

Country: UK

Section / Page: Page 7

Format: News Item / Artist Profile

📰 Related Material

• Tyrannosaurus Rex – Deborah single coverage (1968)

• John Peel – Perfumed Garden and Top Gear features

• Related Chronicle entry: Early Tyrannosaurus Rex press, 1967–68

Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.

📰 Visual Archive

Early newspaper profile of Marc Bolan and Steve Took as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Evening News and Star, April 1968.

The layout features dense text and a descriptive introduction to the duo’s name and early career.

📰 Closing Notes

This clipping preserves a formative moment in the story of Tyrannosaurus Rex — a local newspaper capturing the duo just as they began to attract national attention. It reflects the curiosity, excitement, and sense of possibility that surrounded Marc Bolan and Steve Took in the months before their rise to cult prominence.

#TyrannosaurusRex #MarcBolan #SteveTook #1968

📝 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.