Peregrin Took

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Took's contributions were vital to Tyrannosaurus Rex's unique sound, providing harmony backing vocals, bongos, African drums, kazoo, pixiphone, and Chinese gong. Producer Tony Visconti described the partnership as 'a true 50:50' relationship, noting Took could play bass, guitar, cello, and various percussion instruments while delivering great backing vocals. His arrangements shifted Bolan's music from straightforward rock 'n roll into an exotic blend for hippie audiences. By early 1969, conflict arose as Bolan lived quietly with June Child while Took linked with underground acts like the Deviants and the Pretty Things. Their relationship deteriorated; Bolan detested Took's drug use, and Steve Mann recalled they 'cordially detested each other'. Took also worked unreleased 'Ramadan' tracks with Syd Barrett.

In Their Own Story

The split became inevitable after an incident at a Rolling Stone launch party where punch was spiked with the hallucinogen STP. Bolan, severely affected, suspected Took, who had earned the nickname 'The Phantom Spiker'. Management gave notice that Took would be sacked after the US tour. During the tour, overshadowed by electric acts, Took adopted shock rock tactics inspired by Iggy Pop. In 1972 he told NME: 'I took my shirt off in the Sunset Strip where we were playing and whipped myself till everybody shut up... a bit of blood and the whole of Los Angeles shuts up.' Following his dismissal, Bolan replaced him with Mickey Finn, renaming the duo T. Rex. Took subsequently formed a prototype Pink Fairies with Twink and Mick Farren, performing a chaotic 'protracted harangue' at the University of Manchester in October 1969.

Reader's Guide

After leaving Tyrannosaurus Rex, Took led Shagrat (named after an orc) with Larry Wallis and Tim Taylor. They recorded tracks like 'Peppermint Flickstick' and 'Steel Abortion' before evolving into an acoustic trio with Dave Bidwell. This line-up recorded home demos including 'Amanda', 'Strange Sister', 'Still Yawning Stillborn', and 'Beautiful Deceiver'. By 1971, reduced to a solo act due to bandmates' commitments, Took performed on acoustic guitar interspersed with jokes and monologues. He supported Hawkwind and the Pink Fairies, often joining encores as a third drummer or substituting for bassist Duncan Sanderson. In December 1971, he headlined a three-date mini-tour of southwest England. Later, manager Tony Secunda attempted to recover royalties from Tyrannosaurus Rex years, planning to rerecord the song 'Amanda' with the Pink Fairies rhythm section.

Did You Know?

• Took sold his full drum kit to pay rent before gigs started coming in for Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• He was credited as 'Shagrat The Vagrant' on Mick Farren's 1970 solo album Mona – The Carnivorous Circus.
• During the US tour, he whipped himself with a belt on stage to silence the audience, citing Iggy Pop as inspiration.
• Took contributed backing vocals to a David Bowie session that later appeared on the album Bowie at the Beeb.
• He donated two of his songs, 'Three Little Piggies' and 'The Sparrow Is A Sign', to Twink's 1969 solo album Think Pink.