Doctor and the Medics

Doctor and the Medics is a London-based psychedelic rock band, which enjoyed their greatest success in the 1980s, and are best known for their UK Number 1 song, the remake of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky." The band currently performs, with a different line-up, as a tribute act to various artists.

Doctor and the Medics

Melissa Weekes and The Doctor performing in June 2014. Photo by Andrew D. Hurley
Background information
Origin Knotty Ash, Liverpool, England
Genres psychedelic rock, pop rock
Years active 1982–present
Labels Whaam, illegal, IRS, Plastic Surgery
Website www.doctorandthemedics.com
Members The Doctor, Adrian Hill, Dan Angelow, John Randle, Melissa Weekes

Career

The Doctor (Clive Jackson, born 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 Richard Searle 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 female backing singers were known collectively as The Anadin Brothers.[2] Originally there were three Anadin Brothers, but this was soon whittled down to Wendi West and Colette Appleby.

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".[3] This reached number 2 on the indie charts.[4] This was followed by "The Miracle of the Age", produced by Andy Partridge of XTC.[5] 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.[6] 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" peaked at 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 the UK to live in Mexico, although frequently returned to the UK 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.

Personnel

1981 line-up

1986 line-up

2003 reunion line-up

Current line-up

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sutton, Michael. "Doctor & The Medics Biography". allmusic.com. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  3. ↑ "Doctor & The Medics - Happy But Twisted (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  4. ↑ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
  5. ↑ "Doctor & The Medics - The Miracle Of The Age (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ↑ "Doctor & The Medics Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-05.

External links