Tyrannosaurus Rex in Coventry
by Pete Clemons
The time T.Rex played Coventry during 1971, just as the single 'Hot Love' hit the top, is widely remembered. But there was, I believe, another time when Marc Bolan visited the city. To my mind, too many people have mentioned it for it not to have happened.
Trev Teasdel is one who definitely remembers Tyrannosaurus Rex (the duo) playing the Lanchester Poly in Coventry somewhere between October 1969 and 1971 before the T Rex concert in march 1971. Trev thinks it was in 1970 but can't evidence it other than from memory or say what date it was. If you can evidence it then let us know.
In pursuit of evidence to try and pin down a date for the concert I came across some Coventry newspaper reviews for Tyrannosaurus Rex's early singles. After reading them, with much amusement, my conclusion is that they were something very different but, at the same time, very seductive.
April 1968
The guitar vocal duo of Tyrannosaurus Rex are a very different kettle of prehistoric reptile, 'Deborah' (Regal Zonophone) hasn't much tune, no-one sweated blood over the lyric and its sung in a straining, wavering voice over a fast, unvaried guitar rhythm. All of which might not sound attractive. But it has an oddly compelling, uninhibited intensity that could take it far.
July 1968
I am in two minds about a long player with a title to match 'My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair...But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows' by Tyrannosaurus Rex (Regal Zonophone). The whining eccentric vocals, stirring words together like running water colours are intriguing at first, they pall over a whole LP. Similarly, the tunes air of spontaneous monotony and the limited accompaniment of flailing guitar and occasional Indian style drumming. Even Marc Bolan's lyrics, often with vigorously exciting imagery, sometimes dissipate into effete pseudo poetry. Never the less its a record to hear and judge for yourself, by a highly original and adventurous duo.
Aug 1968
An 'in' duo who are busting out, Tyrannosaurus Rex, make their strongest chart bid yet with 'One Inch Rock' (Regal Zonophone). An inflexible beat, droning acoustic rhythm guitar and high pitched, trance like nasal singing, on paper it sounds like a mess. But the result has an off-beat hypnotic attraction which could rock it up the chart in rather more than inches.
Nov 1968
Having got all that off my chest let me say that none of the avant garde discs reviewed this week are bad, they all have something to offer but none has enough to make me leap about telling everyone not to miss a fresh, original and inventive talent. Messrs Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took, better known, if you can believe it, as Tyrannosaurus Rex, are certainly fresh and original. But their invention flags on their second LP 'Prophets Seers and Sages the Angels of the Ages' (Regal Zonophone). They're by no means as pretentious as the title suggests and I like the hypnotic quality of the high pitched wailing voice, droning guitar and cross talking drums and the quaintly wayward lyrics. But as with their first LP, after a few tracks it's difficult to tell one track from another.
Jan 1969
I'd offer a prize to anyone who could tell the difference between one Tyrannosaurus Rex song and another, if I didn't think John Peel might win it. Their latest, on Regal Zonophone, is again a mixture of droning guitar, frantic percussion and unintelligible nasal wailing. Only the title has been changed to avoid confusion – 'Pewter Suitor' and I don't know why I like it so much.
June 1969
There are people who see in Tyrannosaurus Rex a new greatness, an originality that will render obsolete all who came before them. But their music to me is no more than a progression of inane burbling s. Their first track sounded novel, interesting. The second sounded just like the first, and I wondered. On 'Unicorn', Regal Zonophone, there are 16 tracks to confirm all of my doubts. The music content is practically nil and the words that read so well on the sleeve cannot be heard or do not exist in the singing form.
July 1969
Tyrannosaurus Rex have been cunning on their new single, 'King of the Rumbling Spires' (Regal Zonophone), they have added electric guitars, bass and organ to make their sound more interesting. What they have actually done is disguise the normal performance. The electronics give it the only appeal it has.
I am yet to confirm when the Tyrannosaurus Rex concert happened but have had an enjoyable time, so far, trying.
It was 71 Micky Finns 1st outing , I was 17 . Can't remember the date but I think it was January . The set was split in 2 acoustic 1st then electric . I was right at the front in front of a massive set of speakers one of which fell down during the concert and hit someone . I remember the crowd getting a bit restless because he had to keep re tuning his guitars . Great music scene around that time . Warwick University had some great bands on in their student halls too , Quo , Yes , Vinegar Joe , Fairport Convention , Blodwyn Pig the list was incredible . I remember a very good local band Indian Summer playing there .
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