Ian & the Zodiacs — “No Money, No Honey”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — March 30, 2024

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD

1,160) Ian & the Zodiacs — “No Money, No Honey”

Germany’s favorite Star-Club playing British beat group! OK, other than the Beatles. This ‘66 A-side “is exceptional, powerful mod R&B with fuzz guitar and a pounding beat with forceful drumming in a tight rhythm section, and a strong vocal” (Bayard, https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/ian-and-the-zodiacs/no-money-no-honey-ride-your-pony/), a “R&B fuzz pounder. . . . one of the tunes that melts away at your mind, fuzz action, caveman drum beat, great vocals. Should have been a smash.” (Acid Revolver, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5qKehcPd9yo&pp=ygUlbm8gbW9uZXkgbm8gaG9uZXkgaXNuIGFuZCB0aGUgem9kaWFjcw%3D%3D)

About the Zodiacs, Bayard tells us that:

The Zodiacs formed as a jazz band in Crosby, near Liverpool, England in 1958. Ian Edwards joined the group in 1960 which from that point adopted a more rock-orientated approach. They were a popular local live attraction . . . . In late 1964 they commenced what was supposed to be a month long tour of Germany, but they ended up staying in that country for three years, becoming extremely popular there due to their live performances and TV appearances. They were promoted by Manfred Weissleder, owner of the famed Star-Club in Hamburg, and Ian & The Zodiacs played there and at Weissleder’s other venues. The band issued three charting albums in Germany. . . . [and] continued to perform in Germany until July 1967 when Ian Edwards’ wife fell ill, so Ian disbanded the group in order that he could return to the UK. He reformed the band in Germany with German musicians in 1968, but they couldn’t recapture their success.

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/ian-and-the-zodiacs/no-money-no-honey-ride-your-pony/

Bruce Eder adds:

It was in 1964 that, after years of languishing in obscurity in Liverpool, the band went to Germany and became major stars — they were supposed to stay for a few weeks and didn’t really leave for three years. . . . [T]he group . . . cut three LPs . . . that were released exclusively in Germany on the Star Club label, which was part of Polygram, and two albums of Beatles covers issued under the name the Koppykats. . . . Their audience was centered in the German-speaking world, despite some attempts at releasing their work in England and America. . . . The group’s sound on records was centered on covers of Motown songs . . . current U.S. hits . . . U.K. hits . . . blues . . . plus some forays into pop-jazz . . . some of which were released in America . . . .

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ian-the-zodiacs-mn0001210722#biography

Here are the Invaders:

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