September 06, 2021

1966 - October: The Troggs ”From Nowhere”

28 minutes

The Troggs were a garage band from Andover, England who would come to be highly influential in the garage band genre of the 60's and the punk movement of the 70's. The name is a shortened version of troglodyte, a mythical cave dweller. The troggs wanted to create an earthy, raw feel in their music, and this inspired the name. Their debut album From Nowhere hit the stores in 1966.

The Troggs were a quartet with Reg Presley on lead vocals, and Ronnie Bonds on drums. Reg and Ronnie had been childhood friends in Andover, and formed The Troggs with Pete Staples on bass and Chris Britton on guitar. This lineup would have a number of hits in 1966 and 1967, including the perennial party song covered by garage bands around the world, "Wild Thing." The popularity of The Troggs would fall off after 1967, and they would have a number of iterations afterwards, but they always remained a quartet. They also would be highly influential on a number of groups including Jimi Hendrix and the Ramones. R.E.M. was influenced by them as well, and the Troggs would record an album with three members of R.E.M in 1992 entitled Athens Andover. Paul McCartney was once asked what band he would choose to be in if he were in a band other than the Beatles, and he chose The Troggs.

The Troggs still occasionally play today, and the sole original member of the band continuing with the group is Chris Britton. If you haven't heard this group before outside of "Wild Thing," we think you will appreciate the appeal of their raw approach to music.

Hi Hi Hazel

This song a hit in the UK, and was written around the idea of a girl who leaves down as an ordinary girl and returns as a drop dead gorgeous beauty. "Hi, hi hi Hazel, nice to see you in the neighborhood."

Wild Thing

Probably the most recognizable Troggs hit, and covered in fraternity parties from then on. This went to number 1, and has been covered by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Sam Kenison to Cheap Trick, to the Muppets. The song was written by Chip Taylor, who is John Voight's brother.

I Just Sing

This deeper cut has a gritty, aggressive attitude that typifies the sound of The Troggs. "I just go to my bed, lay my hands on my head. I open my mouth and I sing, yeah I just sing. Yeah, I just sing."

With a Girl Like You

This track was recorded in one take, as they also did with "Wild Thing." This was also a hit at the time, that has a more positive "sunshine pop" sound than most songs recorded by The Troggs. It is about a guy who wants to dance with a girl he see's across the dance floor, but can't muster up the nerve to ask her to dance."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Nashville Rebel by Waylon Jennings

The Nashville Rebel starred Waylon Jennings as an ex army man stranded in Morgan's Grove after being robbed. His family and singing career start from there.

STAFF PICKS:

Bang! Bang! by the Joe Cuba Sextet

Bruce's staff pick started the boogaloo era in New York. Joe Cuba (born Gilberto Calderon in New York) was a conga drummer of Puerto Rican descent, and would become famous in boogaloo music and later in Samba. Boogaloo was popular from 1966 to 1969 after the Palladium Ballroom in New York City lost its liquor license and closed, leading to the decline of mambo.

Black Is Black by Los Bravos

Rob features a track with a strong bass line building to the minor key chorus. Los Bravos were a Spanish quintet with a German lead singer. The lyrics chronicle the loss a boy feels when his girl leaves him.

96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians

Brian's staff pick is from a group who so embraced mystery that the lead singer simply goes by a question mark. They always wore dark glasses as a part of their intrigue. The lead singer claimed that the number "96" has a deep philosophical meaning, but refused to say why.

Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd

Wayne's staff pick is the original soul song made famous by Amii Stewart during the disco era. Eddie Floyd intended this song to be sung by Otis Redding, but Floyd performed it instead. The backing house band was Booker T. and the M.G.'s, and Isaac Hayes played piano on it.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Summer Samba (So Nice) by Walter Wandersley

Long before it became synonymous with waiting lines and hold music, this instrumental piece hit the charts in 1966.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings