Ricky Lancelotti (August 25, 1944 – April 7, 1980), also known as Rick Lancelot, was a singer best known for his work with Frank Zappa in 1973. Frank Zappa songs featuring Lancelotti's vocals can be found on the albums Over-Nite Sensation, The Lost Episodes and Läther.[1]

Background

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Under the stage name of "Rick Lancelot", Lancelotti released several unsuccessful singles for RCA Records in 1965 and 1966. Simultaneously, Lancelotti occasionally appeared on the ABC-TV music series Shindig as the show's "in-house" singer (usually spotlighting the heavier R&B hits of the day).

Lancelotti was featured as one of several uncredited lead vocalists on Hanna-Barbera's 1968–1970 children's program The Banana Splits. His vocal performances also appeared on the Splits' lone album We're the Banana Splits; released by Decca Records in 1968. He also sang with the group Sky Oats, whose music was included in the 1970 surfing documentary Pacific Vibrations.[2]

Career

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In 1964, the single " Sick Chick" / "Ain't That Soul" was released by Rick Lancelot and the Peppermint Sticks. Rick Lancelot was Ricky Lancelotti. The single was composed by himself and Lolly Vegas.[3][4]

He was briefly the lead singer of the band Wolfgang, which featured Leland Sklar as their bass player. However they only ever recorded unreleased demo tracks.

Death

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He died of an overdose on April 7, 1980, at 35 years old.[5]

References

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