Zoot
About
Zoot was a four piece pop/rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1965. They played many clubs and discos around Adelaide, gradually gathering a strong following. In 1968, they relocated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and performed in several Australian cities. Two of the more notable members of Zoot were founder Beeb Birtles, who also founded the Little River Band in 1975 and Rick Springfield who, after moving to the United States in 1972, achieved international fame as a solo artist, songwriter and actor.
From Wikipedia.
Zoot with their classic version of The Beatles song “Eleanor Rigby”
History
Zoot became one the most popular Australian bands of the second ‘pop wave’ of the late ‘Sixties when they and other acts like The Valentines, the Masters Apprentices, Russell Morris and The New Dream were scoring hits and causing riots. Like so many groups at the time, Zoot were drawn along by the rapid stylistic shifts of that uncertain period and they suffered under some ill-advised management decisions that led to them being tagged as a lightweight ‘bubblegum’ act — an undeserved reputation which overshadowed their fine musicianship and their genuine desire to be taken seriously. Ironically, they’re probably best remembered these days for the 1970 single that they hoped would scuttle their pop image for good — their classic heavy-metal version of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” — and also for the fact that Zoot was first successful outing for two future stars — solo performer and soapie heart-throb Rick Springfield, and Little River Band lynch pin Beeb Birtles.
Zoot was one of several significant Aussie bands that emerged from the fertile musical hothouse of Adelaide in the mid-1960s — the same scene that produced The Masters Apprentices and The Twilights. Zoot started out as one among scores of hopeful young beat groups who that formed in and around the migrant settlement suburbs around the South Australian capital of Adelaide. New satellite suburbs such as Elizabeth and Port Noarlunga were established in the 1950s to receive the huge influx of “New Australians”, and many of the young British kids who settled there with their families had actually seen the leading British beat groups in person before leaving for Australia.
From Milesago
Members
- Darryl Cotton – Vocals, Guitar 1965-71
- Beeb Birtles – Bass Guitar, Vocals 1965 -71
- Teddy Higgins – Drums 1967-68
- Rick Brewer -Drums 1968-71
- John D’Arcy – Guitar 1965-68
- Steve Stone – Guitar 1968
- Roger Hicks – Guitar 1968-69
- Rick Springfield – Guitar, Vocals 1969-71
Recordings
- Just Zoot – 1969
- Zoot Out -1971
- Best of the Zoot Locker 1969-1971 – 1980
[…] could be described as the epitome of a successful rock star. Aged only 20 he was a member of Zoot, a very popular band of its time. He’s had long-term success as a solo performer as well as an […]
Was wondering where you could get copies of albums released by The ZOOT.
I can remember taking 3 days off school (unofficially) to watch the band play at Chermside Shopping Center (Qld) was great to see. Loaned out one of my LP’s and got some ridiculous one back lesson learned NEVER loan out LP’s.
There is a Zoot cd available called Zoot Locker,you can get it plus thier reunion live Cd/dvd from JBHIFI.
John
[…] Nov 1948 – Beeb Birtles – Zoot, Little River Band, Solo – Born Gerard Bertelkamp in Amsterdam, […]
I loved these guys when I was in high school. Just caught the end of a news bulletin to say that one of them has just passed away due to cancer, which one was it?
Hi Jacqui, it was Darryl Cotton who passed away this morning
Can anyone remember a number they recorded on Ep about two carnival or circus lovers? I have the tune in my head but can’t remember it- they performed it at the Battle of the Sounds final in Sydney- quite a lovely ballad.
Hi Debbie, the song you are trying to remember is “Freak”. I had the single way back when!
I’m playing Zoot Out album on radio today to show Darryl Cotton fans he aint been forgotten.
Any ZOOT fan can now purchase ZOOT Reunion concert 2011. JB HiFi stores have it. It comes with a CD and DVD of the concert which was filmed and performed on the cruise ship Destiny, November 2011.
Rick Springfield has an annual event – Rick Springfield and Friends, a 4 night/5 day holiday in November where he invites “entertainer friends” to appear as guests.
From 2008-2011 this holiday was held on the cruise, departing from Miami, Florida. Details are found under Rick Springfield’s website. In 2012 it was held Club Med Cancun, Mexico and this year it was Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Florida.
The ZOOT reunion however was absolutely amazing 🙂 I have been a fan of ZOOT for years and followed more so Darryl Cotton and Rick Springfield careers after ZOOT disbanded.
I was one of the handful of Aussies on that cruise that saw the concert of a lifetime! To see the boys – Darryl Cotton, Beeb Birtles, Rick Brewer and Rick Springfield, reunited after 40 years – playing their songs, something I never did as a child – WOW!
I highly recommend the purchase of the CD/DVD which also has ZOOT Question & Answer time, also recorded from the cruise.
And anyone who has fond memories of Darryl or the boys, please join us on ZOOT webpage on Facebook. Beeb has posted so many historical clippings from ZOOT days and it’s nice to go in and chat to other fans 🙂
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[…] could be described as the epitome of a successful rock star. Aged only 20 he was a member of Zoot, a very popular band of its time. He’s had long-term success as a solo performer as well as an […]
looking for a copy of just zoot or zoot locker any body know of sellers
Just Zoot will finally be Released on Aztec Records in Australia in 2017….All Zoot Fans Keep an eye out for it.
There’s a few copies of Zoot Locker on ebay.com.au. Such as: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Zoot-Locker-The-Best-of-the-Zoot-/222296099580?hash=item33c1e14afc:g:FJkAAOSwnbZYErN6
Or, you could try the download from this site (link about half way down the page):
http://rockonvinyl.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/zoot-zoot-locker-1980.html
Is Steve Stone the same Steve that used to play with the Silhouettes at the Scene disco in Pirie Street Adelaide in the early mid 1960’s.
Yes, he is…
Yes, I remember him at The Scene Disco!
I was given a copy of the Zoot’s ‘One times, Two Times, Three Times, Four’ single for my birthday in December 1968 and still have it. They were a great band live, I can still remember them doing a live cover of Cilla Blacks ‘Surround Yourself with Sorrow‘ on Australian television in 1969. Absolutely brilliant! Unfortunately don’t know where I can find it now!
[…] Nov 1948 – Beeb Birtles – Zoot, Little River Band, Solo – Born Gerard Bertelkamp in Amsterdam, […]
Does anyone know who was playing guitar on the single, “One Times, Two Times, Three Times, Four”? I have a copy from when it was first released in December 1968. This was before Rick Springfield had joined the band so it had to be either Steve Stone or Roger Hicks.
[…] of Australia’s most loved bands of the late ’60s and early ’70s, Zoot, have just announced their first single in over 50 […]