Ian
and the Zodiacs was an English rock and roll band
formed in 1958, originally known as The Zodiacs, in Liverpool, England. Led by Ian Edwards (1943–2007), the band existed in relative obscurity
until relocating to Germany in 1964 where they achieved national success.
During the band's three-year stint in Germany, they released three albums under
their name, exclusive to the country until their re-release. They also released
two cover albums featuring material by The Beatles with the name, The
Koppykats.
The band formed as a jazz group
in 1958, and performed under the name, The Zodiacs. The group came together
following an audition at a local venue called Savoy Hall. In the spring of
1960, Ian Edwards departed from his band, The Deltones, and joined The Zodiacs.
From that point on, the band
became known as Ian and the Zodiacs, and shifted their style from jazz to rock
and roll. Following several personnel changes, the lineup for the group
included Edwards as lead vocalist, Pete Wallace on lead guitar, Geoff Bethell
on piano, Charlie Finn on bass guitar, and Cliff Roberts on drums. The band
played top venues in the area, and became the resident group for St. Lukes Hall
(The Jive-Hive).
During their touring, they
found their manager, Ralph Webster. On 4 January 1962, Mersey Beat released
a poll citing the band was the eleventh most popular Merseyside group. The band
released their first single on the Oriole label in 1963 to limited success.
Edwards recalled, regarding their inability to achieve success in England,
"We spent too much time at the Grapes". The Grapes being the place
where bands would take breaks from performing. In May 1964, the band got rid of
Bethell and auditioned Geoff Bamford to replace Roberts on drums.
Later in 1964, the band
travelled to Hamburg, Germany for what was supposed to be a month of touring.
The band would remain in the country for the next three years after gaining
widespread popularity amidst their touring and television appearances. Edwards'
distinctive vocals helped develop the group's reputation, and set them apart
from other acts. Their act was centered on US, and UK hits along with some of
their own original material.
They became promoted by
Manfred Weissleder, owner of the Star-Club, who featured them in his various
clubs, and were joined by drummer Joe Walsh. Following a car accident in May
1965, Wallace and Walsh departed, and were replaced by Freddie Smith and Arthur
Ashton. The band released three albums, all of which charted in Germany, during
their stay in the country. The albums, Star Club 7, Just Listen to Ian
and the Zodiacs, and Locomotive!, were all released on the Star Club
label. The material from the albums ranged from rock and roll, pop rock, and
later soul influences.
Outside the band name, they
released two cover albums consisting of The Beatles compositions under the
name, The KoppyKats. Their biggest selling hit in the UK, 1965's double album The
Beatles Beat, was recorded on a limited budget, but was still relatively
successful. Another Beatles cover album, Gears Again, followed with less
success. In support of the albums, they released "Nowhere Man" and
"Help!" as singles. The albums sold well thanks to the lower prices
in comparison to The Beatles' releases.
The band released several
singles, all on different labels, to the UK and the United States, and, despite
failing to chart in the UK, still managed to achieve a regional hit in the US.
Their single, "The Crying Game", became a number one hit in Texas,
selling 250,000 copies. The band would have toured the US, but could not as
they did not have green cards.
The band
continued to tour throughout Germany until July 1967. Edwards' wife had fallen
ill so he disbanded the group to return to England. He reformed the band the
following year with German musicians, to lesser success. Two other incarnations
of the band formed, one in 2000, touring Germany until 2003, and another in
2004.
From 2004 until
his death in 2007 he made a comeback in Germany, performing at festivals in
Hamburg, Weimar, Berlin and Cologne, as well as in Liverpool´s Cavern Club. He
was backed by the German musicians Manfred Jung (bass), Jürgen Pfingst (lead
guitar), Dr.Joachim Wagner (rhythm guitar) and Raimund Jung (drums). The
backing group from Cologne, Germany, still performs as Ian's Zodiacs and as The
Roaring Fourties, and is also well known in Liverpool.
TRACK LIST:
1. You can't do that;
2. Little child;
3. All my loving;
4. Eight days a week;
5. I'll follow the sun;
6. Long tall Sally;
7. I feel fine;
8. A hard day's night;
9. The things we said;
10. I'm loser;
11. I saw her standing there;
12. Roll over Beethoven;
13. Nowhere man;
14. Norwegian wood;
15. We can't work it out;
16. Yesterday;
17. Day tripper;
18. I'm looking throught you;
19. Help;
20. You've got to hide your love away;
21. Ticket to ride;
22. I'm down;
23. Dizzy miss Lizzy;
24. Please Mr. Postman;
25. Little child - Unreleased bonus.
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