Tyrannosaurus Rex (April 19, 1968) “Another duo bidding” - Evening News and Star

The April 19, 1968 edition of the Evening News and Star (Late Final) profiles the rising underground duo Tyrannosaurus Rex (Marc Bolan and Steve Took), discussing their unusual name and early career milestones.

Publication: Evening News and Star (Late Final)

Date: April 19, 1968

Country: United Kingdom Location: London

Section: Music / Artist Profile

THE STORY

The piece explains the meaning of the band’s name (“King of the Lizards”), their formation eight months earlier, and their growing presence in London’s underground scene. It mentions BBC appearances on John Peel’s Perfumed Garden and Top Gear, their first public show at Hyde Park, and their recent signing with producer Tony Visconti for the debut single “Debora” on Regal Zonophone.

CONTEXT AND NOTES This profile appears at a key moment as Tyrannosaurus Rex transitioned from the underground clubs to wider recognition. It reflects the curiosity surrounding their eccentric, poetic style just as their debut single was released.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS 

Event: Early band profile

Era: 1968 (Early Tyrannosaurus Rex / Psychedelic Folk)

Tone: Informative, intrigued Photography: Text-based layout (no photo in clipping)

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Discussion of the unusual band name and its meaning

• Background on Marc Bolan and Steve Took

• Mentions of BBC radio support from John Peel and live appearances

• Reference to their debut single “Debora” and signing with Tony Visconti

RELATED MATERIAL 

This April 19, 1968 Evening News and Star profile of Tyrannosaurus Rex connects directly with the Widnes Weekly News and Manchester Evening News pieces from the same date, as well as the March 23, 1968 Middle Earth Club poster.

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

All magazine scans, 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