Fabulous Poodles

The Fabulous Poodles were a British pre-new wave band formed in 1975. Known for quirky stage antics, such as exploding ukuleles, as well as songs with funny lyrics.

History

The Fabulous Poodles started out just as the Poodles before adding the "Fabulous" prefix, a term coined by Frank Zappa. The band consisted of Tony De Meur on lead vocals and guitar, Richie Robertson on bass and vocals, Bobby Valentino on violin, vocals, and Byrn Burrows on drums. Many of the lyrics for the bands songs were written by John Parsons.

The Fabulous Poodles were very heavily influenced by such British 60's acts as the Who and the Kinks. The band released three official records between 1977 and 1979 on Pye Records, their first being self named. It was produced by the Who's legendary bass player John Entwistle, who also played eight string bass on a few songs. Their second, Unsuitable which featured their two best known songs, Mirror Star and Chicago Boxcar (Boston Back). In 1979 the Fabulous Poodles' final album, Think Pink was recorded and released, the title being the only lyrics to one of the songs, Pink City Twist. The Fabulous Poodles sold more records in the United States in 1979 than the Clash. In 1980 the Fabulous Poodles released their final single, Stompin' on the Cat b/w Anna Rexia and Don't You Lie To Me. The band broke up in 1980.

In the late 1970's the Fabulous Poodles embarked on an American tour supporting such notable acts as The Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Lead singer Tony De Meur now performs solo under the name Ronnie Golden.

Tracks

1. The Ending (de Meur/Parsons/Valentino/Robertson/Burrows)
2. Doctor (Bentley/Suffolk)
3. Workshy (de Meur/Parsons)
4. Bike Blood (de Meur/Parsons)
5. Rum Baba Boogie (de Meur/Parsons)
6. When the Summer`s Thru (de Meur)
7. Rosie Pink (de Meur/Parsons)
8. Roll Your Own (Mel McDaniel)
9. Pinball Pin Up (de Meur/Parsons)
10. Mr. Mike (de Meur/Parsons/Robertson)
11. Cherchez la Femme (de Meur/Parsons)

• Unsuitable 1978

Tracks

1. Mirror Star (de Meur/Parsons)
2. Topless GoGo (de Meur/Parsons)
3. Chicago Boxcar (Boston Back) (de Meur/Parsons)
4. Oh Cheryl (de Meur/Parsons)
5. Toy Town People (de Meur/Parsons)
6. Convent Girls (de Meur/Parsons)
7. "B" Movies (de Meur/Parsons/Valentino/Burrows/Robertson)
8. Tit Photographer`s Blues (de Meur/Parsons)
9. Third Rate Romance (Smith)
10. Mugs Game (de Meur/Parsons/Robertson)
11. Suicide Bridge (de Meur/Parsons)

• Mirror Star 1978 (American compilation of first two British records
• Think Pink! 1979

Tracks

1. Man With Money (P. & D. Everly)
2. Bionic Man (de Meur/Parsons)
3. Any Port in a Storm (de Meur/Burrows)
4. (Hollywood) Dragnet (de Meur)
5. Bike Blood (de Meur/Parsons)
6. Cossack Cowboy (de Meur/Parsons)
7. Anna Rexia (de Meur)
8. You Wouldn`t Listen (de Meur)
9. Suicide Bridge (de Meur/Parsons)
10. Pink City Twist (de Meur/Valentino)
11. Vampire Rock (de Meur/Parsons)

• His Master's Choice 1995 (Compact Disc personal best-of compilation)

Tracks

1. Mirror Star
2. Workshy
3. Bionic Man
4. "B" Movies
5. Toy Town People
6. Pinball Pin Up
7. You Wouldn`t Listen
8. Stompin`On the Cat
9. Mr. Mike
10. Cherchez La Femme
11. Talkin` Trash
12. Rum Baba Boogie
13. When the Summer`s Thru
14. Rosie Pink
15. Man With Money
16. Bike Blood
17. Chicago Boxcar (Boston Back)
18. Anna Rexia
19. Suicide Bridge
20. Pink City Twist
21. Vampire Rock

A bootleg live album recorded in Hampstead, New York in 1979 entitled Radio Stars has also been circulating around collector's circles for a few years.

Personnel

• Tony De Meur - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
• Richie Robertson - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
• Bobby Valentino - Violin, Mandolin, Guitar, Backing Vocals (Wrong Bobby Valentino!!!)
• Bryn Burrows - Drum, Percussion

External links

• Think Pink: The Fabulous Poodles Fan Page
• Ronnie Golden