Tyrannosaurus Rex (June 6, 1970) A Beard of Stars Album Release (US)

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

Catalogue: BTS 18 (US)

TRACK LIST 

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

PERSONNEL

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

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

PRODUCTION Produced by: Tony Visconti Engineered by: Malcolm Toft Photography by: Pete Sanders

CHARTS

• UK Albums Chart: Peak #21

• Australia (Kent Music Report): Peak #27

PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS

• Pete Sanders photography of Bolan (front) and Finn (back)

• Gatefold sleeve with lyric insert

• Blue Thumb and Regal Zonophone label variants

THE STORY 

Recorded at Trident Studios with producer Tony Visconti, A Beard of Stars was the first album to feature Mickey Finn after Steve Peregrin Took left the band. The record blends the duo’s established mystical folk sound with Bolan’s increasing use of electric guitar, marking a clear step toward the electric glam rock that would define T. Rex.

CONTEXT & NOTES 

This album represents the final chapter of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era before the name was shortened to T. Rex. It reached #21 on the UK Albums Chart and was praised for its tasteful electric elements. The US Blue Thumb edition included a bonus 7" single in some pressings. The cover photography by Pete Sanders is iconic of the band’s woodland-mystic aesthetic.

PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS

• Pete Sanders photography of Bolan (front) and Finn (back)

• Gatefold sleeve with lyric insert

• Blue Thumb and Regal Zonophone label variants

WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS

 The front cover features a striking black-and-white photograph of Marc Bolan, while the back shows Mickey Finn. The US edition has a gatefold design with detailed credits and lyrics. The overall aesthetic maintains the band’s mystical, fairy-tale imagery.

RELATED MATERIAL 

See tags at foot of page.

SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Blue Thumb / Regal Zonophone archives

All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.