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Zoot (band)

From Alfawiki
Zoot
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1964
Headquarters
Adelaide, South Australia
Area served
Australia
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Zoot was a pop rock group originating from Adelaide, South Australia, established in 1964 under the name Down the Line. They adopted the name Zoot in 1967 and moved to Melbourne by 1968. Their 1970 rendition of the Beatles' ballad "Eleanor Rigby" in a heavy rock style climbed into the top five on the national Go-Set singles chart. The band dissolved in May 1971.

Prominent members included bassist Beeb Birtles, who went on to co-found Little River Band in 1975, and lead singer Darryl Cotton, who later embarked on a solo career and television hosting. Guitarist and songwriter Rick Springfield (active from 1969 to 1971) relocated to the United States in 1972, where he found international acclaim as both a solo musician and actor.[1] Zoot reunited for the Rick Springfield and Friends cruise in November 2011. Cotton was diagnosed with liver cancer in May 2012 and passed away in July of that year.

1964–1968: Formation and early development

In 1964, friends from Plympton High School—John D'Arcy, Gordon Rawson, and Gerard Bertlekamp (later known as Beeb Birtles)—formed a band initially named Times Unlimited.[2][3] They recruited lead vocalist Darryl Cotton from rival local band the Murmen,[4][5] and subsequently renamed themselves Down the Line after The Hollies' cover of Roy Orbison's "Go Go Go (Down the Line)".[4][6] Their repertoire consisted mainly of covers from British Mod bands such as The Hollies, The Move, The Who, and The Small Faces, which they performed at Adelaide venues, gradually amassing a local fan base.[1][4]

In May 1967, their manager Darryl Sambell—who also managed singer Johnny Farnham—utilized Down the Line as session musicians on Farnham's demo recordings that secured him an EMI deal. Subsequently, Adelaide promoters Alan Hale and Doc Neeson offered to manage the band and proposed changing their name to "Zoot".[4]

By early 1968, Zoot began incorporating original songs into their setlist and relocated to Melbourne. John D'Arcy declined to move with them and was replaced by Steve Stone.[1][4]

1968–1969: Think Pink era

Arriving in Melbourne in August 1968, Zoot was co-managed by Wayne de Gruchy and Tony Knight. They signed with Columbia Records/EMI Music and recorded their debut single "You'd Better Get Goin' Now", produced by David Mackay.[1][4] Both Higgins and Stone returned to Adelaide; Rick Brewer (formerly of Third Party) took over drums in September, with Roger Hicks joining on lead guitar.[1][4] De Gruchy initiated the "Think Pink – Think Zoot" promotional campaign.[2] On 3 September 1968, he showcased Zoot's first single at Berties discothèque.[1][4][2] The band appeared wearing pink satin costumes and arrived in a car painted pink.[1][4] While this image attracted many teenage female followers, it compromised their reputation as serious rock musicians and provoked negative reactions among male fans.[1][4]

Management transitioned by December to Sambell and Jeff Joseph, who also represented Farnham and the Masters Apprentices.[4] The "Think Pink" motif continued.[1][4] Zoot's second single, "1 × 2 × 3 × 4", composed by Birtles, Brewer, Cotton, and Hicks, was released in January 1969 and peaked at No. 32 on the Go-Set National Top 40 singles chart.[1][7] The group became regulars on the television program Uptight!.[1][4] Their third single "Monty and Me", produced by Ian Meldrum, maintained the pink theme—featuring Cotton’s dog dyed pink—and reached No. 33 in June.[8]

In June 1969, Zoot was voted Australia's Top Group in Go-Set's pop poll.[9] They toured eastern Australia in July alongside Ronnie Burns, the Sect, and Jon Blanchfield.[4] In September that year, Hicks departed for the Avengers and was succeeded by Rick Springfield (formerly of Icy Blues).[10] That month saw Zoot participate in the nationwide Operation Starlift tour—while gaining publicity success, it proved financially unsuccessful.[4] The tour intensified media mockery and homophobic criticism.[4] October 1969 brought the release of their single "About Time"/"Sha La La".[4] In December they suffered an assault incident in Brisbane.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]

1970–1971: Image change, Just Zoot album, and dissolution

Main article: Just Zoot

By early 1970, frustrated with their pink image and ongoing harassment, Zoot dramatically burned their satin outfits live on the TV show Happening '70.[1] In April they promoted "Hey Pinky" through a provocative advertisement in Go-Set.[1] Despite being a hard rock song satirizing their former image and management,[4] "Hey Pinky" did not enter the charts.[1]

Their first album, Just Zoot, released in July 1970, reached No. 12 on the Australian Kent Music Report. In August they secured second place at the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, finishing behind the Flying Circus.[1]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

December 1970 saw the release of their hard rock cover of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby", which became their most successful track—peaking at No. 4 by March 1971,[11] remaining within the Top 40 for twenty weeks and ranking No. 12 for that year overall.[12] Their next single "The Freak" / "Evil Child" entered the top 30 in April 1971.[13]

Following this success, RCA attempted to bring them to America for recording sessions; however, visa complications combined with Springfield’s rising solo career created tensions within the group.[4] These issues culminated in Zoot’s breakup in May 1971.[1] In July's Go-Set pop poll, Zoot placed third for Best Group while "Eleanor Rigby" won Best Single.[9] EMI/Columbia issued a compilation titled Zoot Out later that year.[1]

1971–present: Post-breakup activities

Main articles: Beeb Birtles, Darryl Cotton, and Rick Springfield

After disbanding, Birtles and Cotton formed Darryl and Beeb (later renamed Frieze), releasing a single on Sparmac Records in September 1971 followed by an album in June 1972 featuring session musicians.[1][14] Frieze dissolved by May; Cotton moved to America while Birtles joined Mississippi, which eventually transformed into Little River Band in 1975.[1]

Springfield also signed with Sparmac; his October 1971 single "Speak to the Sky" reached No. 6 on Kent Music Report. Under management by Sparmac owner Robie Porter, Springfield recorded his debut album Beginnings in London before relocating to the US mid-1972 where he achieved international recognition as a solo artist.[1][4]

Drummer Brewer played with bands including Cashbox and The Ferrets—who had a No. 2 hit with "Don't Fall in Love"—and later collaborated with Jim Keays among others.[15][16]

2011–present: Reunion events and Archaeology release

Zoot reunited for the Rick Springfield and Friends cruise held in November 2011,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name featuring Springfield, Birtles, Cotton, and Brewer.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Darryl Cotton succumbed to liver cancer on 27 July 2012.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In November 2018, Zoot issued an anthology titled Archaeology, which included a fresh recording of "Life in a Northern Town".Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

A planned four-show Australian reunion tour including Russell Morris alongside Springfield, Birtles, and Brewer scheduled for late 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name then ultimately cancelled in April 2022.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

On 24 June 2022, Zoot released a new single titled "That Was Then".[17]

Members

  • Beeb Birtles – bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals (1964–1971, reunited 2011)
  • Darryl Cotton – lead vocals, guitar (1964–1971; reunion appearance in 2011; died 2012)
  • Teddy Higgins – drums (1964–1968)
  • John D'Arcy – lead guitar, backing vocals (1964–1968)
  • Steve Stone – lead guitar (1968)
  • Rick Brewer – drums (1968–1971; reunion appearance in 2011)
  • Roger Hicks – lead guitar (1968–1969)
  • Rick Springfield – lead guitar, backing vocals (1969–1971; reunion appearance in 2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Studio albums with Australian chart rankings
Title Album details AUS
Just Zoot
  • Released: July 1970
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Vinyl
 12

Compilation and live albums

Title Album details
Zoot Out
  • Released: 1968
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Vinyl
Zoot Locker
  • Released: 1971
  • Label: EMI
  • Format: Double CD + DVD
Live - The Reunion
Archaeology
  • Released: November 2018
  • Label: EMI
  • Format: CD & digital download

Extended plays

Title Album details
4 Shades of Pink
  • Released: 1970
  • Label: EMI
  • Format: Vinyl

Singles

Template:Singles discography

Awards and nominations

Battle of the Sounds

The annual national rock/pop competition known as Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, held between 1966 and 1972,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Template:Awards table |- |1970 |themselves |Battle of the Sounds National Final |style="background:silver;"|2nd place |-

|}

Go-Set Pop Poll

Conducted yearly by teen music publication Go-Set from 1966 until its cessation in 1972,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name this reader poll recognized popular Australian music acts.


|- |1969 |themselves |Best Australian Group |style="background:gold;"|First place |- |rowspan=4|1970 |themselves |Best Australian Group |5th place |- |Rick Springfield |"Best Australian Guitarist" |style="background:silver;"|Second place |- |Rick Brewer |"Best Australian Drummer" |style="background:tan;"|Third place |- |"Ricky Springfield" |"Best Australian Composer" |5th place |- 

rowspan=7 |1971 
|themselves 
|Best Australian Group 
|style="background:tan;"|Third place 
|- 
|Darryl Cotton
|Best Australian Male Vocalist 
|6th place 
|- 
|Ricky Springfield 
|Best Australian Guitarist 
|style="background:gold;"|First place 
|- 
|Rick Brewer 
|Best Australian Drummer 
|style="background:silver;"|Second place 
|- 
|Ricky Springfield 
|Best Australian Songwriter/Composer 
|4th place 
|-

|"Eleanor Rigby" 

|Best Australian Single 
|style="background:gold;"|First place 
|- 
|Beeb Birtles
|Best Australian Bass Guitarist 
|style="background:silver;"|Second place

|-

South Australian Music Awards

Since their inception in 2012, the South Australian Music Awards have been held annually to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding achievements within South Australia's modern music scene. The South Australian Music Hall of Fame serves to recognize distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to the music industry.[18]

! |- | 2017 | Zoot | Hall of Fame | | [19][20] |-

References

General
Specific


External links

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named McF
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Notes
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerTimes
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Miles
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerMermen
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerDownLine
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetOneTimes
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetMontyMe
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KentThesis
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerRickS
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetEleanor
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetEoY1971
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetFreak
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerFrieze
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SpencerBrewer
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kent
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named That Was Then
  18. ↑ https://www.samusichalloffame.com/
  19. ↑ https://www.samusichalloffame.com/inducted-bands
  20. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/samusichof/videos/693196014219557/
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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