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1969 single by Tyrannosaurus Rex

"King of the Rumbling Spires" is a single by Tyrannosaurus Rex, released in July 1969. It featured the duo of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took and was written by Bolan.[1] It was a minor chart hit, the first by the group to contain electric guitar instead of acoustic, and was Took`s last appearance with the duo on record.

Background

The track was significantly different from the earlier folk rock material and featured multiple electric guitars from Bolan (played on a Fender Stratocaster) and a toy drum kit from Took. Producer Tony Visconti played bass guitar and electric organ on the track.[2][3] Bolan had become influenced by the emerging late 1960s rock scene featuring bands such as Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Humble Pie,[1] and wanted to record some experimental guitar work in the style he had used in his earlier stint with John`s Children.[2] However, the switch to harsh electric guitar was atypical of the duo`s acoustic-based sound, and would not be a regular feature for a few years.[4]

A review in Melody Maker called it "Bolan`s most commercial production to date" and called the song "electrified teenybopper". Several reviews hoped it would be a significant hit, and move Tyrannosaurus Rex away from their cult underground image.[1][3] In the event, it had a single week`s appearance on the charts, at number 44,[2] and was the last hit before Bolan regrouped the band as T. Rex to wider commercial success.[5] It was also the last single to feature Took, who Bolan fired shortly afterwards for wanting to record his own songs as well as Bolan`s, as well as creative and lifestyle differences between the pair.[6]

Originally issued as a stand-alone single, it was later included as a bonus track on reissues of the earlier album Unicorn.[7]

Personnel

• Marc Bolan - vocals, electric guitars
• Steve Peregrine Took - drum kit, percussion
• Tony Visconti - bass guitar, electric organ