Steve Took - 28th July, 1949 to 27th October, 1980.
Took died aged 31 when he choked on a Cocktail Cherry (and not a cherry 'pit' or stone' as you'll *still" read in some places!)
Took's Death did make it into a "TOP TEN STYLISH ROCK 'N ROLL DEATHS!"
Everyone remembers Took for working with Marc Bolan in Tyrannosaurus Rex. Took was with Bolan from the Summer of 1967 (Took was still 17 when he met 19 year-old Bolan) until the Summer of 1969 when his insistent requests that some of his songs were performed by the duo resulted in Took being sacked! Unfortunately Took was contractually obliged to do the ill-fated US tour even though he knew he was sacked! Needless to say his heart wasn't in it & he was supplied with an excess of drugs by 'da management' so Took was often 'out of his head' allowing 'da management' to cite Took's behaviour on the US as Tour as the reason for his sacking. Except of course that was crap! When Took arrived home he was still given a bill for £2000 by 'da management'. A Heck of a lot of money back in '69 - given that Tyrannosaurus Rex's first album had cost just £400 to produce!
While still in Tyrannosaurus Rex Took had worked with Syd Barrett (Took appeared on Syd's 'Ramadan' Tracks), and David Bowie (BBC Session). Took contributed Two Songs to Twink's Seminal Album 'Think Pink', and indeed Took missed his flight to the US for the Tyrannosaurus Rex Tour because of the "We've finished the 'Think Pink' album Party" the night before!
Shortly after leaving Tyrannosaurus Rex Took appeared as 'Shagrat The Vagrant' on Mick (The Deviants) Farren's First Solo Album 'Mona ...' & Took, Twink & Farren formed the First Line-Up (Mark Zero) of The Pink Fairies.
Then Took 'teamed up' with Larry Wallis & Dave Bidwell as SHAGRAT, which resulted in some Fine Acoustic Tracks. These were released on Shagrat Records on Vinyl & on the CD Lone Star on Captain Trip Records. Sadly, one of the three electric tracks comes from a scratched acetate so it sounds like it was recorded in a 'Chip Shop'. The other two Electric Tracks play SLOW!! So they sound a little like 'dirges'. If returned to their Correct Speed the True Genius of Took (and indeed Wallis) can be heard. These two tracks have never been released at their correct speed (yet)!
Took also worked with Russell Hunter, Duncan (Sandy) Sanderson. Plus Hawkwind members including Robert Calvert, Adrian Shaw, Nik Turner, Motorhead's Lemmy. While Took was 'signed up' to Bolan's ex-manager Tony Secunda he recorded some tracks with some of those named above which were 'shelved' by Secunda under the title 'Took's Ramblings'. These 'saw the light of day' in 1995 as 'The Missing Link to Tyrannosaurus Rex'. Later reissued as 'Crazy Diamond' on Angel Air. These do not show Took at his best! Took didn't trust Secunda when he found out about the 'Bolan Connection' as Took believed it was a 'scheme' to 'shaft him again'. Actually Secunda's reason for contacting Took was for Revenge on Bolan for the way Bolan had sacked him.
Took's Band 'The Horns' contained Judge Trev (Thoms) & Dino Ferari who were later recruited by Nik Turner for Inner City Unit. While Marc Bolan moved out of 'The Grove' to become a 'Glam Pop Idol', Took remained 'True to his Roots & Ideals' and was an influential Character within the 'Ladbroke Freak Community'.
So, whether you're a fan of Steve Took as Tyrannosaurus Rex's original percussionist in the late '60's ...
Or as a great lost singer-songwriter from the 1970's UK underground scene ...
Or as a face in the '70s Ladbroke Grove freak community ...
Whatever your interest in the Man and/or his Music, this is a 'pointer' to find out more about Steve Peregrin Took!
FOR MORE DETAILS OF STEVE TOOK:
'Career History'; 'Worked With', 'Sound Files'; 'Videos' & Other Sections - VISIT HIS WEB SITE NOW!!
I always wondered how amazing it would have been to witness those recording sessions w/ Steve & Marc & Tony on piano. What a tapestry of talents. The harmony vocals on Chariots of Silk, as an example,are so perfect that I never get tired of hearing those first 3 records. Three of my absolute favorites ! Thanks Tony, I always wondered if it was difficult to get those perfomances out of those guys, or if they worked as naturally as they sound ? Those albums are just so whimsical, they always transport me to the places I imagine them discribing in song. Close your eyes & you can see it too ! Cheers, Eric
Everyone has a different view of history. I missed Steve dearly when he was ousted from Tyrannosaurus Rex. Steve used to stay at my flat in Earls Court. The picture you are using was taken by me during a walk through Holland Park. I considered him to be an equal partner to Marc and I find myself still listening to that period more than the T. Rex period. Steve was incredibly talented.
Hello Steve Took, You taught me so much about playing hand percussion, accompaniment, and singing harmony vocals that I don't know where to begin. Brilliant ! Thank you Steve ! RIP. Respectfully, Eric
Finally... got around to getting around to picking up the Steve Took Horns disc (now new copies available on amazon and deepdiscount for $12 US). It's a great disc, packaging. etc. Was blown!!! away by the recreation of Ooh My Heart---Ron Tree and Judge Trev did an A+ incredible job. I'd say one of the greatest recordings in current existence of a Took tune. Necessary for any Took or even Pink Fairy fan. On top of the 4 original tracks in stunning quality/production, the Tree/Trev tunes were a big treat. These tracks really make me think that these dudes need to record a whole album of the Took songbook (same production would obviously be ideal), or at least some kind of compilation of covers by other artists. For fun I made a tracklist/wishlist, check it out and record!!! don't blow it!!! 1. Steel Abortion 2. Ooh My Heart 3. Boo! I Said Freeze 4. Strange Sister 5. Woman I Need 6. Amanda 7. Average Man 8. Too Bad 9. It's Over
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