Doctor and the Medics are a London based psychedelic rock band which enjoyed greatest success in the 1980s and are best known for their UK No. 1 song, "Spirit in the Sky". The band currently perform, with a different line-up, as a tribute act to various artists.
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The Doctor (Clive Jackson , born on 7 July 1961 in Knotty Ash, Liverpool), a former London-based DJ, formed the group with guitarist Steve McGuire, drummer Vom (aka Steve Ritchie), and bassist Gareth Thomas and female dancers and singers The Anadin Brothers in 1981.[1] The group adopted a look inspired by both 1960s psychedelia and kabuki make-up similar to that of Kiss.
Their first single was "The Druids are Here" which was released on Whaam Records in 1982.[2]
They released no further records until 1985, although a four track EP recorded live at Alice In Wonderland, a Soho nightclub where The Doctor was house DJ, was available direct from the band.
The band's unique female backing singers were known collectively as The Anadin Brothers.[2] Originally there were 3 Anadin Brothers but this was soon whittled down to Wendi West and Colette Appleby. Their unique performances were extremely well synchronised and featured highly characteristic moves, these were influenced by the fact that the duo had previously competed together as synchronised swimmers.
In 1985 they signed to IRS Records and released "Happy but Twisted" a five track 12" EP including a cover of Hawkwind's "Silver Machine". This reached number 2 on the indie charts.[3] This was followed by "The Miracle of the Age", produced by Andy Partridge of XTC.
Around this time the band performed a concert in a television studio in Limehouse, London which was recorded for television broadcast, although it was not shown at the time. At this concert the line up was augmented by Roman Jugg of The Damned on keyboards and second guitar.
They scored an international hit in 1986 with their next single, a cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky". The single reached number one in the UK among others. They fared less well with subsequent singles; "Burn" and "Waterloo" (the latter of which was a cover of the ABBA hit, with Roy Wood on saxophone, backing vocals and in the video). "Burn" reached No 29 in the UK Singles Chart and "Waterloo", No 45.[2]
The band released their final studio album Instant Heaven, in 1996 on their own 'Madman' record label.[1]
In the early 2000s the band's current line-up appeared on retro-themed British TV shows such as ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More Time and a Top of the Pops Christmas special celebrating 50 years of the UK Singles Chart.
In 2003, Jackson left Britain to live in Mexico, although frequently returned to Britain and in June 2006 appeared on Channel 4's Bring Back One Hit Wonders with a new line-up. Around this time they released an EP called "Timewarped". In 2008, Jackson moved back to the UK to begin work on a new studio album.
1981 Line up
1986 line-up
2003 Reunion line-up
Current line-up