1970: The Swan King

A passionate 1970 Melody Maker feature in which Marc Bolan calls for rock bands to play more affordable gigs so that ordinary fans can actually afford to see them live. Publication: Melody Maker Date: October 24, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Section: Feature / Opinion THE STORY WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS Marc Bolan states that if the Royal Philharmonic can play for a maximum of 25 shillings, then rock bands should be able to do the same. He criticises the high prices that exclud

New Musical Express front page advertisement for T. Rex’s triple “A” side stereo single featuring “Ride a White Swan”. Publication: New Musical Express Date: October 10, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Section: Advertisement / Single Promotion THE STORY WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS Prominent advertisement for T. Rex’s new single “Ride a White Swan / Is It Love / Summertime Blues” on the Fly Records label (BUD 1). The ad highlights the release of this important single during T. Rex’s

When the two English beat wizards first toured with “Ride a White Swan,” they needed reinforcements. Enter drummer Will Legend and bassist Steve Currie – the boys who turned the cosmic whisper into a full-on glam roar. More early T.Rex lineup scoops added weekly.Hello, pop fans, here's a little surprise. The famous T. Rex are no longer just Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn. When the two English beat wizards first went on tour with their hit "Ride a White Swan," they needed reinforc

SOURCE DETAILS Event: Aachen Open Air Pop Festival Location: Hauptstadion, Aachen, West Germany Dates: July 10–12, 1970 Attendance: 30,000–40,000 Organisers: Golo Goldschmitt, Walter Reiff, Karl‑August Hohmann Main Investor: Coca‑Cola Ticket Prices: DM 15 (single day), DM 40 (three‑day pass) FESTIVAL CONTEXT The Aachen Open Air Pop Festival — commonly known as the Soersfestival — was one of West Germany’s major early‑1970s open‑air rock gatherings. Conceived by three local

Event Details Line-up & Highlights On Saturday, July 4, 1970, Tyrannosaurus Rex performed at the Blues at the Eyrie open-air festival at Bedford Town Football Ground. This was a pivotal transitional gig for Marc Bolan’s band. They were evolving from their psychedelic folk roots toward the heavier electric sound that would soon spark the glam rock explosion. Main Acts: • Deep Purple (headliners) • Chicken Shack • Tyrannosaurus Rex • Medicine Head, Principal Edwards Magic Thea

One of the major European rock festivals of 1970, the Holland Pop Festival (also known as Kralingen Music Festival or Stamping Ground) was held in the Kralingse Bos, Rotterdam. Often called the “European Woodstock,” it attracted around 100,000 people and featured an impressive line-up including Tyrannosaurus Rex, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, The Byrds, and many others. EVENT DETAILS Event: Holland Pop Festival (Kralingen Music Festival) Date: June 26–28, 1970 Loca

The June 21, 1970 edition of the Chicago Tribune reviews Tyrannosaurus Rex’s album A Beard of Stars, praising its whimsical, poetic style and mystical imagery. Publication: Chicago Tribune Date: June 21, 1970 Country: United States Location: Chicago, Illinois Section: Music Review THE STORY The review describes the album as filled with lilting paeans to Pan and the Priests of Peace, noting its light, Donovan-ish style that feels removed from harsh reality. It highlights Marc

Tyrannosaurus Rex’s fourth studio album A Beard of Stars marked a pivotal transition from pure acoustic psychedelic folk toward an electric sound, introducing Mickey Finn after Steve Peregrin Took’s departure and showcasing Marc Bolan’s growing confidence with guitar and production. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Tyrannosaurus Rex Title: A Beard of Stars Date: June 6, 1970 (US) Label: Blue Thumb (US) / Regal Zonophone (UK) Format / Type:Album Country: United States Cat

A vibrant 1970 front-page report from Record Mirror celebrating the ongoing success of “Extravaganza ’70” — Britain’s first major Music and Fashion Festival held at Olympia, Earls Court, London, featuring a star-studded lineup of British acts. Publication: Record Mirror Date: June 6, 1970 (Vol. 17 No. 22) Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Front Page + Feature Title: EXTRAVAGANZA ’70 THE STORY The front page displays a large headline and multiple black-and-white perform

Newspaper advertisement for Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan & Mickey Finn) performing at Gollum’s Cave at the Golden Torch Club in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. PUBLICATION: the Evening Sentinel Date: May 30, 1970 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Entertainment Advert Title: Gollum’s Cave Presents Tyrannosaurus Rex THE STORY Mushroom Promotions advertises the Sunday evening show at the Torch Club on Hose Street, Tunstall. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with ticket