Octopus (Belgian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Robert Vlaeyen, Steve Davies, Jean-Pierre Onraedt, Nic Roland |
| Headquarters | Diest , Belgium |
Area served | Europe |
Key people | Robert Vlaeyen (manager), Steve Davies, Jean-Pierre Onraedt, Nic Roland, Phil Francis, Gerard Opdebeeck, Paul Michiels |
| Products | Music recordings ("I'm So in Love with You", "My Special Angel", "Summerland", "South of the Border") |
Octopus was a band originating from the British-Flemish music scene, active between 1973 and 1980, and founded in late 1972 in Diest, Belgium. The founding members were Robert Vlaeyen, Steve Davies, Jean-Pierre Onraedt, and Nic Roland. Robert Vlaeyen, who had previously been part of The Bats, also took on the role of the band's manager. When Nic Roland departed due to commitments as a session musician, Phil Francis, an English vocalist and bassist, joined the group. Shortly thereafter, Jean-Pierre Onraedt left to focus on session work and was replaced by Gerard Opdebeeck, another former member of The Bats. Seeking to expand their lineup with a keyboard player, the band eventually added Paul Michiels, who later became well-known with the Belgian act Soulsister.
After achieving two significant hits—"I'm So in Love with You," which was an English adaptation of Paul Severs' "Ik ben Verliefd op jou," and "My Special Angel"—Octopus embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe, performing alongside acts such as Mud and the Rubettes.
In 1976, Steve Davies exited to develop a cabaret career in the United Kingdom under the stage name Steve Grey before relocating to the United States to engage in session work and international solo performances. During the early 1980s, Phil Francis moved to Toronto where he launched a travel enterprise while continuing his involvement with local choir groups. Despite pursuing different directions professionally, the former members have sustained close personal relationships over time.
Discography
- "I'm So in Love with You" (1974) (NL#16)
- "My Special Angel" (1975) (NL#18)
- "Summerland" (1976) (NL#21)
- "South of the Border" (1978) (NL#14)