Klaatu Biography
In August of 1976, the self-titled debut album by an unknown group called Klaatu was released on Capitol Records to little notice. The following February Steve Smith, a writer for the Providence Journal in Rhode Island, wrote an article titled "Could Klaatu Be the Beatles? Mystery Is a Magical Mystery Tour." The article began the rumor that Klaatu was "more than likely either in part or in whole the Beatles." These conjectures, fueled by a series of articles in trade magazines like Billboard created a huge amount of hype and Capitol did nothing to deny or confirm the rumors. Throughout 1977, record sales soared and radio stations ran "Is Klaatu the Beatles?" promotions. Reportedly, some of the "clues" as to whether or not Klaatu were the Beatles included backward messages, Morse code, references to the group's identities in the song lyrics, and the word "Beatles" hidden in various places on the record jacket. After several months of conjecture, the group's identity was revealed at the end of year -- it wasn't the Beatles after all, it was Terry Draper (songwriter, vocalist, drummer), John Woloschuck, and Dee Long. Immediately, their record sales declined, and due to a backlash generated by the Beatles hoax their four subsequent albums failed to sell. The group broke up in 1981. ~ Jim Powers, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Thyrfing Biography: Swedish black metal band Thyrfing was founded in 1995 by guitarist Patrik Lindgren, bassist Kimmy Sjölund, keyboardist Peter Löf and drummer Jocke Kristensson; drawing profound inspiration...
Global goon Biography: According to his press bio, Global Goon's Johnny Hawk is a former shepherd from Liverpool who earned a recording contract after moving to London and rooming with Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) for...
Kingston wall Biography: Kingston Wall was a hard-edged progressive rock band from Finland highlighted by the inspired and inventive guitar playing of Petri Walli. Though their influences (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix) can be...
Shajan Biography: Shajan specializes in meditative music, specifically that which applies to the spiritual enhancement of Reiki, a popular holistic form of hands-on healing. The London-born son of a Malaysian...
Helstar Biography: Helstar was one of America's better kept heavy metal secrets throughout the 1980s, composing a string of consummate LPs that earned the band many critical accolades, but somehow failed to sell in...
Paradise lost Biography: The British doom metal band Paradise Lost formed in Halifax, England in 1988; originally comprising vocalist Nick Holmes, lead guitarist Gregor Mackintosh, rhythm guitarist Aaron Aedy, bassist Steve...
Runrig Biography: Scotland's Runrig was formed in 1973 as a trio by Rory MacDonald, Calum MacDonald, and Blair Douglas, adding Donnie Munro the next year. Douglas quit and was replaced by Robert MacDonald, who died of...
Withering surface Biography: Danish death metal band Withering Surface was formed in 1994 by vocalist Michael H. Andersen, guitarist/keyboardist Allan Tvedebrink, guitarist Jimmy Christensen, bassist Kasper Boye-Larsen and...