Tyrannosaurus Rex (June 6, 1970) - A Beard of Stars Album LP: US
Updated: Oct 5
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
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.
Comments