Tyrannosaurus Rex: "How a Last-Minute Addition Rocked the First Glastonbury" (September 19, 1970)

In a twist of fate, a last-minute addition to the inaugural Glastonbury Festival in 1970 brought an unexpected performance, as Tyrannosaurus Rex electrified the crowd and set the stage for a legendary event.

On September 19, 1970, a muddy field in Somerset’s Worthy Farm became the unlikely birthplace of a cultural juggernaut: the Glastonbury Festival, then called the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival. Among the eclectic lineup of folk and rock acts, one band stole the show and etched their name into music history—Tyrannosaurus Rex, led by the enigmatic Marc Bolan. Their late-night performance was a shimmering, psychedelic milestone that helped launch what would become the world’s most iconic music festival.

The Scene: A Hippie Haven in Pilton

Picture this: 1,500 free-spirited souls—hippies, locals, and even a few farm animals (including five dogs and a goat)—gathered on Michael Eavis’s 900-acre dairy farm in Pilton, Somerset. Tickets cost just £1, including free milk and camping. The festival, inspired by the 1970 Bath Festival, was a modest affair with a basic stage, 24 toilets, and a dreamlike atmosphere fueled by the counterculture of the era. The event coincided with the somber news of Jimi Hendrix’s death the day before, prompting a minute’s silence that added emotional weight to the night.

Originally, The Kinks and Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders were slated to headline, but both canceled last-minute (The Kinks reportedly bristled at the event being dubbed a “mini-festival” in the press). Stepping into the spotlight was Tyrannosaurus Rex, a band on the cusp of transformation, ready to enchant the small but enthusiastic crowd.

Tyrannosaurus Rex: The Cosmic Duo

In 1970, Tyrannosaurus Rex was still a duo, known for their psychedelic folk sound, the band blended Bolan’s poetic, Tolkien-inspired lyrics with acoustic grooves and bongo-driven rhythms. They were darlings of the underground, championed by BBC DJ John Peel, and were transitioning toward the electric, glam-rock sound that would soon make T. Rex global stars.

Bolan, with his curly hair and bohemian charisma, arrived at Worthy Farm in a velvet-covered Buick, a fittingly flamboyant entrance for a man destined to become the “Godfather of Glam.” Their set, performed after midnight, was a cosmic journey that captivated the crowd, bridging the festival’s folk roots with the electric energy of rock’s future.

The Performance: A Magical Midnight Moment

While exact setlists from the night are scarce (no official recordings exist), Tyrannosaurus Rex likely played tracks from their early albums, such as My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... (1968) and A Beard of Stars (1970). Fan favorites like “Debora,” “Hot Rod Mama,” and “By the Light of a Magical Moon” probably echoed across the Vale of Avalon, with Bolan’s warbling voice and mystical lyrics perfectly matching the festival’s ethereal vibe. The duo’s acoustic guitars and bongos created an intimate yet electrifying atmosphere, resonating with the hippie crowd under the Somerset stars.

Eyewitness accounts describe the performance as a highlight, with Bolan’s stage presence—part poet, part rock star—igniting the small audience. The set came at a pivotal moment for the band, as they were just months away from releasing “Ride a White Swan” (October 1970), the single that would catapult them into mainstream success as T. Rex. Their Glastonbury appearance was a last hurrah for their folk era, a magical bridge to their glam-rock explosion.

Why It Mattered

Tyrannosaurus Rex’s performance wasn’t just a gig—it was a cornerstone of Glastonbury’s origin story. The festival, attended by a mere 1,500 people, laid the groundwork for an event that now draws over 200,000 annually. Bolan’s star power helped elevate the fledgling festival’s credibility, proving that even a “mini-festival” could attract major talent. Michael Eavis, who paid Bolan £100 in milk-profit installments over five months, later credited the event’s success to its authentic, community-driven spirit, with Tyrannosaurus Rex as its beating heart.

For fans, the performance symbolized a fleeting moment when the underground met the mainstream. Within a year, Bolan would trade acoustic strums for electric riffs, sparking “T. Rextasy” with hits like “Get It On” and “Jeepster.” But on that September night in 1970, Tyrannosaurus Rex was still a psychedelic gem, casting a spell over Worthy Farm that lingers in Glastonbury lore.

Fun Facts:

Festival Quirks: Attendees got free milk from Eavis’s dairy cows, and the crowd included a goat and a few dogs, adding to the hippie charm.

Bolan’s Payment Plan: Eavis, short on cash, paid Bolan’s fee in installments from milk sales, a testament to the festival’s grassroots beginnings.

Other Acts: The lineup included Stackridge (the openers), Quintessence, Steamhammer, Al Stewart, Keith Christmas, and Sam Apple Pie, making it a diverse showcase of the era’s underground scene.

No Big Drama: Unlike modern festivals, the 1970 event was peaceful, with no major incidents, just pure music and vibes.

---

Other Artists at the 1970 Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival (First Glastonbury)

The inaugural Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival on September 19, 1970, featured a diverse lineup of underground and emerging acts from the UK’s psychedelic, folk, and blues scenes. With Tyrannosaurus Rex stepping in as the surprise headliner after The Kinks and Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders pulled out, the bill showcased the era’s counterculture spirit—intimate, eclectic, and far from the massive productions of today. The full lineup, drawn from festival posters, eyewitness accounts, and official histories, included around 10-12 acts, many of whom were local or on the cusp of breakthroughs.

Below is a table summarizing the key performers (excluding Tyrannosaurus Rex), including their performance style, notable contributions to the day, and brief bios with legacy highlights. Set times were loose and unrecorded, but the event kicked off with Stackridge in the morning and ran into the early hours. Attendance was just 1,500, creating a cozy, communal vibe amid the Somerset countryside.

Other Bands at the 1970 Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival

Here’s a rundown of the key acts (excluding headliners Tyrannosaurus Rex) that performed at the inaugural Glastonbury Festival on September 19, 1970, at Worthy Farm. Each brought a unique flavor to the 1,500-strong hippie crowd, setting the stage for a legendary legacy.

Stackridge

Genre: Progressive/Prog Rock

Role/Notable Moment: Kicked off the festival with a quirky, whimsical set, setting a playful tone.

Bio & Legacy: Bristol’s eccentric rockers, formed in 1969, blended literate lyrics with prog flair. Their 1971 debut album, Stackridge, followed this gig. Known for influencing later acts like Big Big Train, they’ve reformed multiple times and remain a cult favorite.

Quintessence

Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Eastern Folk

Role/Notable Moment: Delivered spiritual, sitar-infused grooves in the mid-afternoon, perfectly matching the hippie vibe.

Bio & Legacy: A London collective (1969–1987) fusing Indian classical music with psych-rock. Albums like In Blissful Company (1970) defined their mystical sound. They’re still revered in psych circles for their genre-blending innovation.

Steamhammer

Genre: Blues Rock

Role/Notable Moment: Evening set of raw, guitar-driven blues, honoring the festival’s “Blues” billing.

Bio & Legacy: Worthing band (1968–1973), fronted by Martin Quittenton (later Rod Stewart’s collaborator). Signed to Island Records, their 1969 debut album showcased gritty blues. Reformed sporadically; influenced pub rock.

Al Stewart

Genre: Folk Rock

Role/Notable Moment: Performed an intimate acoustic set, captivating folk fans with storytelling songs.

Bio & Legacy: Scottish singer-songwriter (b. 1945), then in his early folk phase before hits like “Year of the Cat” (1976). A ‘70s festival regular, he’s released 30+ albums and remains a folk-rock staple.

Keith Christmas

Genre: Acoustic Folk

Role/Notable Moment: Solo set with poetic lyrics, resonating in Pilton’s mystical Vale of Avalon setting.

Bio & Legacy: Devon folk artist (b. 1946), known for intricate guitar work. His 1970 album Pigmy followed this gig. Collaborated with Fairport Convention; still tours as a folk veteran.

Sam Apple Pie

Genre: Blues Rock/Acid Folk

Role/Notable Moment: High-energy set brought East London’s raw edge to the bill.

Bio & Legacy: London band (1968–1974), fronted by “Mad” Daddy Longlegs. Their 1968 debut, The Decline and Fall of the Whole Damned World, had a gritty, unpolished sound that shaped pub rock.

Duster Bennett

Genre: Blues/One-Man Band

Role/Notable Moment: Solo blues harp and guitar with a foot-drum setup, a highlight for purists.

Bio & Legacy: Solo artist (1946–1976), a pioneering one-man blues act. Albums like Smokin’ (1971) showcased his talent. Tragically died young in a crash; influenced harmonica players like Paul Jones.

Pink Fairies

Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Space Rock

Role/Notable Moment: Late-evening chaotic psych set, bridging to T. Rex’s headlining slot.

Bio & Legacy: London underground band (1969–1976) with a biker-hippie vibe. Their 1971 debut, Never Never Land, leaned proto-punk, influencing Hawkwind and The Damned.