Tyrannosaurus Rex (August 8, 1969) “The Sound Ground!” Blue Thumb Records

A full-page promotional advertisement from Blue Thumb Records announces Tyrannosaurus Rex’s arrival in America, promoting their album Unicorn and their first major US tour following successful European sell-out shows.

Publication: Blue Thumb Records Promotional Page (Music Trade Press) Date: August 8, 1969

Country: United States Location: California

Section: Full-Page Record Company Advertisement

THE STORY

The striking ad features a dramatic black & white portrait of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, celebrating 20 sell-out European performances (including Royal Albert Hall) and welcoming American audiences to experience “The Sound Ground!” It lists an extensive US tour schedule from August to September 1969.

CONTEXT AND NOTES 

This ambitious promotional piece marks Tyrannosaurus Rex’s serious push into the American market during their psychedelic folk phase. The album Unicorn was their third release, and the tour helped build their cult following in the US ahead of their later glam breakthrough as T. Rex.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS 

Event: Album promotion & US tour announcement

Era: 1969 (Tyrannosaurus Rex Psychedelic Folk era)

Tone: Mystical, ambitious, visionary Photography: Iconic high-contrast black & white portrait of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Bold tagline “The Sound Ground!”

• Dramatic duo portrait of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took

• Announcement of US tour dates across multiple cities and states

• Reference to recent European sell-outs including Royal Albert Hall

RELATED MATERIAL 

This August 8, 1969 Blue Thumb Records promotional advertisement for Unicorn and the US tour documents Tyrannosaurus Rex’s expansion into America and connects with their early 1968–1969 UK coverage in the scrapbook. For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES

• Blue Thumb Records promotional page, August 8, 1969 (Music Trade Press)

All magazine scans, newspaper cuttings, scrapbook items, photographs 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.