📰 Unusual Name – News: Apr. 1968

A brief, early glimpse of Marc Bolan and Steve Took at the moment their strange, mystical duo first began stirring curiosity in the London underground scene.

📰 Publication Details

Publication: Evening News and Star

Date: April 19, 1968

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Page: Page 7

Format: Small News Piece

📰 What the Clipping Shows

A short column introducing Tyrannosaurus Rex, described as a duo with an unusual name and an equally unusual sound. The text outlines their origins, early performances, and growing attention from disc jockey John Peel. A partial photograph appears to the right, showing only a pair of legs and feet — typical of tightly cropped newspaper layouts.

This clipping matters because it captures one of the earliest press mentions of Bolan and Took, before albums, before fame, and before the transformation into T. Rex.

📰 The Story Behind It

In early 1968, Tyrannosaurus Rex were still a new act, performing acoustic, incantatory songs that stood apart from mainstream pop. The article frames their name and sound as curiosities, emphasising their rapid rise within London’s club circuit.

“Their music has become quite a talking point in the pop music world in recent months.”

The tone is lightly amused but respectful, noting Peel’s early support and the duo’s appearances on his radio programmes. Their first public performance in Hyde Park is highlighted as a key moment, followed by shows in clubs and recital spaces.

“First public appearance by the duo was in Hyde Park…”

The piece closes with the news of their signing to producer Tony Visconti and the release of their debut single “Deborah,” marking the beginning of their recording career.

📰 Quotes from the Article

“Their music has become quite a talking point in the pop music world in recent months.”

“First public appearance by the duo was in Hyde Park…”

📰 Related Material

• Melody Maker – Early Tyrannosaurus Rex Mentions – 1967–68

• Record Mirror – “Deborah” Release Notes

• Chronicle Entry – Tyrannosaurus Rex: Early Performances

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

📰 Visual Archive

Small Evening News and Star item introducing Tyrannosaurus Rex, April 19, 1968 — early coverage of Marc Bolan and Steve Took’s emerging duo.

The clipping includes a narrow column of text and a partial photograph cropped at the legs.

📰 Closing Notes

This early newspaper mention preserves Tyrannosaurus Rex at their most embryonic — mystical, acoustic, and beginning to attract the attention that would soon reshape British pop. It stands as a rare document of Bolan and Took before fame altered their path.

#TyrannosaurusRex #MarcBolan #SteveTook #1968

📝 Copyright Notice

All newspaper 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.