The Spotnicks

The Spotnicks

The Spotnicks 2010
Background information
Also known as Rock-Teddy and The Blue Caps
The Frazers
Origin Gothenburg, Sweden
Genres instrumental rock, space rock
Years active 1958-present
Labels Karusell, Oriole, Polydor, SweDisc, Interdisc
Website http://spotnicks.net/
Members Bo Winberg
Bob Lander (Bo Starander)
Stefan Möller
Kent Brännlund
Göran Sannfridsson
Past members Björn Thelin
Ove Johansson
Peter Winsnes
Derek Skinner
Jimmie Nicol
Tommy Tausis
Magnus Hellsberg
Göran Samuelsson
Lennart Hermansson
Bernt Andersson
Magnus Hellsberg
Juri Wiik
Claes Pettersson
Johan Dielemanns,
Matz Nilsson
Bo Maniette
Peter Wiberg
Håkan Mjörnheim
Mats Björklund
Leif Paulsén
Torgny Stoor
Peter Milefors
Gunnar Winald
Anders Erixon
Kenth Andersson
Lasse Öhberg
Arne Österlindh
Nils Nordin
Alf Brink
Stefan Eriksson
Magnus Rosén
Dennis Nybratt
Fredrik Oscarsson
Douglas Möller

The Spotnicks is an instrumental rock group from Sweden, who were formed in 1961. Together with the Shadows and the Ventures they are counted as one of the most famous instrumental bands during the 1960s. They were famous for wearing "space suit" costumes on stage, and for their innovative electronic guitar sound. They have since released 42 albums, selling more than 18 million records, and still tour.[1]

History

The Spotnicks originated from a duo "The Rebels" (1956), formed by Bo Starander (born 11 March 1942) (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Björn Thelin (born 27 June 1942) (bass guitar). They were joined by lead guitarist Bo Winberg (born 27 March 1939, Gothenburg, Sweden), and became "Rock-Teddy and The Blue Caps", in 1957 in Gothenburg. In 1958 they added Ove Johansson (drums) (born 30 March 1940), changed their name to "The Frazers", and began playing regularly in local clubs. They signed a recording contract in 1961, and changed their name to "The Spotnicks", a play on the Russian satellite Sputnik as suggested by their manager, Roland Ferneborg.[1] Starander was later known as Bob Lander.

They soon became the first Swedish group to have significant international success, in a similar style to The Shadows and The Ventures. They toured Europe, and one of their early records, "Orange Blossom Special", became their first big international hit, making the Top 30 in the UK Singles Chart in 1962 on the Oriole label,[2] and reaching #1 in Australia. Around this time they began wearing their trademark "space suits" on stage. They recorded their first album, The Spotnicks in London, Out-a Space, in 1962. Further hits included "Rocket Man" (based on the Soviet/Russian folk march "Polyushko-polye"), and "Hava Nagila" (their biggest UK hit, where it made #13).[2] Winberg also recorded solo, credited as 'The Shy Ones'.

In 1963, "Amapola" became one of their most successful singles in their home country, staying at #1 in Sweden for eight weeks. They appeared in the film Just for Fun, continued to tour widely, and recorded their second album, The Spotnicks in Paris. That year, drummer Ove Johansson left and was replaced by an Englishman, Derek Skinner (born 5 March 1944, London). Two years later, Skinner was replaced briefly by Jimmie Nicol, who had previously toured with The Beatles, while Ringo Starr recovered from having his tonsils removed.

In 1964 and 1965, The Spotnicks expanded their popularity in Germany and Japan, reaching #1 in Japan in 1966 with "Karelia". Elsewhere, however, they became less successful as popular music tastes changed. In 1965 the band was joined by organist, vocalist Peter Winsnes (born 9 March 1944, Molndal, Sweden). Nicol left in February 1967 and was replaced by Tommy Tausis (born 22 March 1946). Thelin also left in 1967 and was replaced by Magnus Hellsberg (born 6 November 1944). Winsnes left in 1968 and organist Goran Samuelsson joined in 1969. The group, having undergone many personnel changes, split up in 1970 after releasing their fifteenth album, The Spotnicks Back in the Race. Yet the band was still popular in Japan, and it soon reformed under Winberg's control in 1971 at the request of a Japanese record label.[3]

Winberg has continued to lead versions of The Spotnicks, occasionally including Lander and/or Thelin, on tour and in recordings since then. In 2013, Winberg and Lander announced that they would be undertaking a final tour, finishing in May 2014.[4]

The Spotnicks with French harmonica player Albert Raisner, whose composition "Le Dernier Train De L'Espace", The Spotnicks covered

Discography

Chart singles

Year Single Chart Positions
UK[5]
1962 "Orange Blossom Special" 29
"Rocket Man" 38
1963 "Hava Nagila" 13
"Just Listen To My Heart" 36

References

  1. 1 2 "The Spotnicks web site". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 521. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "The '70s". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  4. "The Spotnicks: Final Tour". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  5. Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 733. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.

External links

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