Tyrannosaurus Rex (October 12, 1968) – “Pop Group Won't Get To Know Them” News Feature – Eastern Daily Press.
A local newspaper report reveals a last‑minute change to a University of East Anglia dance event after the Spencer Davis Group withdrew, leading organisers to secure Tyrannosaurus Rex as replacement performers for the same evening's concert.
Publication: Eastern Daily Press
Publication Date: October 12, 1968
Country: United Kingdom
Event Date: October 12, 1968
This short news report covers disruption to a dance organised by the Students' Union of the University of East Anglia as part of a planned “get to know us” campaign designed to strengthen links between the university and the city of Norwich.
According to the article, the Spencer Davis Group unexpectedly withdrew from the event shortly before it was due to take place. Union officials expressed disappointment at the cancellation and indicated that they were considering legal action after being informed that Spencer Davis had suffered a nervous breakdown, while other reports suggested he was in Germany undertaking recording commitments.
Determined that the event should continue, organisers quickly secured Tyrannosaurus Rex as replacement performers. The article notes that admission charges were reduced to seven shillings and sixpence following the change of billing.
Although brief, the report documents a significant early Tyrannosaurus Rex appearance, with Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took stepping in at short notice and helping rescue a major student event from cancellation.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published on the morning of the concert, this article served as advance notice that Tyrannosaurus Rex would be replacing the originally advertised headliners.
October 1968 was a pivotal period for the duo. Following the release of My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows, Tyrannosaurus Rex were becoming one of the most talked‑about acts on Britain's underground and progressive music circuit.
The article is particularly valuable because it documents the circumstances that brought Tyrannosaurus Rex to the University of East Anglia and provides a contemporary account of a performance that only occurred because of a last‑minute cancellation.
This report was followed two days later by coverage in the Eastern Evening News, which discussed the controversy surrounding the Spencer Davis cancellation and confirmed that Tyrannosaurus Rex had appeared at the university on October 12.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: University of East Anglia dance concert
Era: 1968 – Early Tyrannosaurus Rex period
Tone: Local news report
Photography: None
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Headline: “Pop Group Won't Get To Know Them”
Spencer Davis Group withdrawal from a university event
Students' Union disappointment over the cancellation
Tyrannosaurus Rex secured as replacement performers
Admission reduced to 7s 6d
Contemporary newspaper coverage of an early Tyrannosaurus Rex appearance
Evidence of the group's growing reputation on the university circuit
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