Tyrannosaurus Rex (January 21, 1969) – “Music That You Either Love Or Hate” Single Review - Dorset Echo / Dorset Evening Echo
This newspaper review examines Tyrannosaurus Rex's single "Pewter Suitor", describing the group's music as something listeners either loved or hated. While recognising the band's unique style and devoted following, the reviewer questions whether the record possessed sufficient commercial appeal to become a major hit.
Publication: Dorset Echo / Dorset Evening Echo
Date: January 21, 1969
Country: United Kingdom
Under the headline "Music That You Either Love Or Hate", the review focuses on Tyrannosaurus Rex and their latest Regal Zonophone single "Pewter Suitor."
The writer begins by observing that Tyrannosaurus Rex were one of the most polarising acts in British popular music. According to the article, there was little middle ground with the group's recordings, as listeners tended either to embrace their distinctive style or reject it completely. While their albums generally performed respectably in the charts, the reviewer notes that their singles rarely achieved the same level of success.
Discussing "Pewter Suitor", the article suggests the record closely resembles many of the group's previous releases. The reviewer compares it to "Deborah", noting that the earlier single possessed a somewhat stronger commercial quality than much of the band's catalogue and had managed to reach the British Top 30.
The review paints a vivid picture of the music, suggesting it creates the image of "two men sitting at a camp fire playing weird forms of percussion instruments." This description reflects the acoustic, mystical and unconventional sound that had become synonymous with Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took during the late 1960s.
Despite acknowledging the song's unusual qualities, the reviewer ultimately gives the record a favourable assessment. The article concludes by stating that the writer likes the single very much, while simultaneously expressing doubt that it would become a significant chart success.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during the final phase of the Tyrannosaurus Rex era, the review captures a period when Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took had developed a devoted following through albums and live performances but had yet to achieve major singles success.
The article is particularly interesting because it highlights a perception often expressed by critics at the time: that Tyrannosaurus Rex were more successful as an album act than as a singles group. Within two years, Bolan would transform the band into T. Rex and become one of Britain's biggest pop stars.
The review also provides a valuable contemporary description of how outsiders viewed the group's distinctive acoustic sound and imaginative lyrical style before the arrival of Bolanmania.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Review of "Pewter Suitor"
Era: 1969 Tyrannosaurus Rex period
Tone: Positive but sceptical of commercial prospects
Photography: No accompanying artist photograph in the supplied clipping
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Review of "Pewter Suitor"
• Comparison with the earlier single "Deborah"
• Description of Tyrannosaurus Rex as a love-or-hate act
• Commentary on the group's strong album sales versus modest singles success
• Contemporary assessment of the band's unusual acoustic style
Although the record did not enter the UK Singles Chart, it remains a key release from the duo's early period and is regarded as one of the more distinctive non-album singles from the Tyrannosaurus Rex catalogue.
Both tracks were recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
Production was handled by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions.
Both the A-side and B-side were issued in mono.
The recordings reflect the continuing creative partnership between Marc Bolan, Steve Peregrin Took and Tony Visconti during the group's most productive early period.
STYLE & THEMES
"Pewter Suitor" combines the whimsical imagery, acoustic instrumentation and mystical atmosphere that had become Tyrannosaurus Rex trademarks by early 1969.
The B-side, "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles", continues Bolan's fascination with fantasy, mythology and surreal storytelling, themes that featured prominently throughout the group's early recordings.
Together, the two songs capture the unique blend of folk, poetry and imagination that separated Tyrannosaurus Rex from their contemporaries.
T REX - PEWTER SUITOR 7" ACETATE (HAND WRITTEN LABEL BY MARC BOLAN). An incredible to see 7" acetate pressing of T Rex's 1969 single Pewter Suitor, labels feature hand-written notes about the release for John Peel written by Marc Bolan (London Disc-Cutting labels are bright and clean. Track names written in blue biro. Notes by Marc Bolan for John written in red felt pen. Lacquer playing surface is Ex, displays a couple of hairline/ wispy paper marks). One of a number of records sent to John Peel with personal handwritten messages from Marc Bolan on the label
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
SIDE ONE
• Pewter Suitor (3:09) – A melodic Tyrannosaurus Rex composition featuring Bolan's distinctive lyrical imagery and acoustic style.
SIDE TWO
• War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles – A fantasy-inspired recording reflecting the whimsical storytelling that characterised the group's early work.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released by Regal Zonophone on January 17, 1969 under catalogue number RZ 3016.
Commercial copies were issued with Regal Zonophone's standard red centre labels.
Despite failing to chart, the release became a favourite among collectors and remains an important part of the duo's recorded legacy.
The single also received releases in additional territories including France and the Netherlands.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar
Steve Peregrin Took — percussion, vocals
Tony Visconti — producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Tony Visconti
Production Company: Straight Ahead Productions
Studio: Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London
Label: Regal Zonophone
Country: UK
Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM, Mono
Catalogue Number: RZ 3016
Publisher: Essex International / Lupus Music Ltd.
NOTES
• Released on January 17, 1969.
• Recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• Both tracks were issued in mono.
• Commercial copies featured Regal Zonophone's standard red centre labels.
• The single failed to chart in the UK.
• The promotional issue used the title "Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles" as a single word.
• Standard commercial copies used the title "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles" as two words.
• The release is one of the last Tyrannosaurus Rex singles before the group's sound began evolving towards later developments.
• No authentic picture sleeve was issued with the original UK release.
• The commonly encountered picture sleeve was produced during the 1990s by Paul Johnson for the Marc Bolan fan club.
• The fan-club sleeve is not an original 1969 issue.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Date | Format | Catalogue Number |
UK | January 17, 1969 | 7" Single | RZ 3016 |
UK | 1969 | 7" Promo Single | RZ 3016 |
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Country | Year | Label | Catalogue Number |
France | 1969 | Stateside | 2C 006 90026 |
Netherlands | 1969 | Stateside | HSS 1339 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
7" Single | RZ 3016 | Side One • Pewter Suitor (3:09) Side Two • War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Side | Matrix / Runout |
Side One | 7XCAR 6956-2 / 1 KT A |
Side Two | 7XCAR 6957-2 / 1 KT A |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Promo Copy | B-side listed as "Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles" |
Commercial Issue | B-side listed as "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles" |
Standard Red Label Issue | Original UK commercial pressing |
1990s Fan Club Sleeve | Unofficial commemorative sleeve produced by Paul Johnson |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
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This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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