Tyrannosaurus Rex (July 22, 1967) – “Formation and First Performance” Timeline Chronicle – London Underground Scene

On July 22 1967, Marc Bolan officially formed Tyrannosaurus Rex after leaving John's Children.

Initially conceived as a four‑piece electric rock band, the group played its first and only show at the Electric Garden in Covent Garden, London - a performance so chaotic that it prompted an immediate reformation into the acoustic folk duo that would define Bolan's early career.

THE STORY

Following his departure from John's Children, Marc Bolan assembled a new band under the name Tyrannosaurus Rex, featuring Ben Cartland on guitar, an unnamed bassist, and Steve Porter (later known as Steve Peregrin Took) on drums.

Their debut at the Electric Garden was poorly received - described as a "shambles" due to lack of rehearsal and musical cohesion.

The electric line‑up disbanded immediately after the show. Within weeks, Bolan and Porter re‑emerged as a duo, with Porter switching to bongos and assorted percussion.

Influenced by Bolan's exposure to Ravi Shankar's performance style during his West German tour with John's Children, the pair developed a psychedelic folk sound built around Bolan's acoustic guitar and mythic lyrics.

Their new direction quickly found an audience within London's underground scene, supported by BBC Radio One DJ John Peel, whose enthusiastic promotion on his show The Perfumed Garden and in his International Times column helped establish their cult status.

The duo's first performance as Tyrannosaurus Rex was on September 23 1967 at Middle Earth (formerly the Electric Garden), supporting Denny Laine's Electric String Band and The Piccadilly Line.

Peel, who was DJing the event, praised their "strange and tomorrow songs," marking the beginning of their rise within Britain's psychedelic folk movement.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

London in mid‑1967 was a hotbed of psychedelia and counterculture, with venues like Middle Earth and UFO Club hosting avant‑garde acts and experimental performances.

Tyrannosaurus Rex's acoustic approach stood out amid the electric noise of the era, offering a mystical alternative to mainstream rock. John Peel's support was crucial - he not only championed the band on air but later contributed to their first album by reading Bolan's fairy tale "Frowning Ataour."

This relationship helped secure their contract with Regal Zonophone and cemented their status as underground icons.

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