The Hotshots was a ska band which had a hit single in the UK singles charts with a cover of "Snoopy Vs The Red Baron" in 1973.

The Hotshots
GenresSka
Years active1973
LabelsMooncrest Records
Past members
  • Clive Crawley (vocals)
  • Brian Bennett (keyboards)
  • The Cimarons:
  • Franklyn Dunn (bass)
  • Carl Levy (keyboards)
  • Locksley Gichie (guitar)
  • Maurice Ellis (drums)
  • Wild Country:
  • Alan Kanter (bass)
  • Pete Dye (guitar)
  • Kelvin Purcell (drums)
  • Albatross:
  • Terry Keyworth (vocals, guitar)
  • Danny Balkwill (bass)
  • John "Joe" Jones (guitar)
  • Malcolm Player (drums)

History

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In Spring 1973, the head of Mooncrest Records, Clive Crawley, decided to record a cover of the Royal Guardsmen's hit "Snoopy Vs The Red Baron" as a counter to the heavy metal that was becoming popular. Crawley got together with the label's regular session keyboardist, Brian Bennett, and, in order to create a lilting ska sound, hired an Anglo-Jamaican band, The Cimarons,[1] to provide the appropriate rhythm.

The recording, released on 4 May 1973[2] under the group name The Hotshots, entered the UK singles charts for the week ending 2 June 1973, and peaked at no. 4 for the week ending 14 July 1973.[3] However, rather than use The Cimarons to promote the single, Crawley recruited a different band - Wild Country - which twice appeared on Top of the Pops performing the song.[4]

As the single dropped out of the charts, Wild Country, which did not have the rights to the Hotshots name, recorded a follow-up single ("Here Come The Three Bears") under the name The Hi-Shots, with Cliff Bennett as lead singer.[5] Brian Bennett recruited a new band, Albatross, to be The Hotshots; this different combine recorded four further ska singles as The Hotshots, as well as an album, but none was a hit, and Albatross reverted to recording under their own name.[6]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album UK
1973 Snoopy Vs The Red Baron

Singles

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Year Song UK
1973 "Snoopy Versus The Red Baron" 4
1973 "Battle of New Orleans"
1973 "Yesterday Man"
1974 "Caribbean"
1975 "Mellow Yellow"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ "Discography". The Cimarons. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Record details". 45cat. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. ^ "HOT SHOTS (sic)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  4. ^ "08/06/1973". Top of the Pops Archive. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Top spots for Hi-Shots?". Middlesex Chronicle: 2. 24 August 1973.
  6. ^ "Albatross/The Hotshots". Bournemouth Beat Boom. Retrieved 20 February 2024.