The Spotnicks are an instrumental rock group from Sweden. Formed in 1961, they were well-known for their “space suit” costumes and their Ventures-esque electric guitar sound. The Spotnicks have released 42 albums and sold over 18 million records. They still tour.
They would basically take a traditional folk song—think “My Bonie” or even “Havah Nagila”!—and then rock out on the electric guitar with space suits on.
I guess if your gimmick works, then stick with it! I mean, hey, look at Kraftwerk…
Below, The Spotnicks do their hit “Rocket Man,” based on a traditional Russian folk song, in 1962:
More of the space-rock sound of The Spotnicks—including their 1967 Frank Zappa cover!—after the jump…