Goldbug (band)

Goldbug were a British pop band in the 1990s. The band were formed in London and Brighton in 1995[1] by a former member of the Beatmasters,[2] Richard Walmsley,[3] drummer Tony Horkins and DJ Adil Magik, with a session vocalist, Sandy McKenzie, who was recruited through an advertisement in Melody Maker.[4]

Goldbug are best remembered for their UK hit single with a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", also sampling "Asteroid" (the Pearl & Dean theme tune),[5] and released on 15 January 1996[6] on the Acid Jazz label.[7] "Whole Lotta Love" was played heavily by Chris Evans on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show,[6] and the track entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 January 1996 at number 3, and stayed in the charts for 5 weeks. It hit the number one spot on the ITV chart, Dance chart and Indie chart.[8] The band made their sole appearance on Top of the Pops on 25 January 1996, performing the song with replacement singer, Katherine Ellis. Katherine Ellis was later replaced with vocalist Shari Mjoh (called Sharona in the band) who recorded a string of songs with the band including lead vocals on their sole follow-up single, "Real Hip Mary", which was released by EMI.

After many live shows, a showcase and performing ‘Real Hip Mary' on British television Shari was invited into the EMI offices and offered a recording contract as a solo artist by then MD of EMI Records Clive Black. Although Shari didn’t take full advantage of the offer due to a lack of guidance and misplaced loyalty to the band she has continued to work successfully in the industry as a vocalist, songwriter and EDM producer. She is currently set to release her single ‘Danger Zone’ with iKan Recordings.

Tony Horkins and Adil Magik left the band after contractual issues with Walmsley at the end of 1996. Their sole follow-up single, "Real Hip Mary", was released by EMI but failed to reach the top 75 in 1997.[9] In 2000, Walmsley sued Acid Jazz over unpaid royalties relating to the "Whole Lotta Love" single.[3] He was successful, receiving many thousands of pounds.[10] Due to the royalty disputes, McKenzie received no money from the band's short existence.[4]

Former lead vocalist McKenzie experienced much hardship after the dissolution of the band, having almost died due to a severe assault, and experiencing homelessness. Her attacker is now in prison.[11]

  1. ^ Jones, Dylan (1997). Ultra lounge: the lexicon of easy listening. Universe. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-7893-0095-9.
  2. ^ "Artist Direct Profile". Archived from the original on 1 November 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Acid Jazz & Goldbug in court over Led Zep cover". NME. 20 March 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  4. ^ a b Williams, Amanda (9 August 2008). "Chart singer left penniless". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  5. ^ Day, Julia (28 June 2006). "Pearl & Dean's theme tune remixed for the digital age". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b Margolis, Jonathan (4 February 1996). "Pa-paa pa-paa poptastic!; Style". Sunday Times. Academic OneFile. p. 12. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Goldbug: UK Top 10 hits". Chartwatch. 25 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  8. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 230. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  9. ^ "Random music reviews #4: 'Whole Lotta Love' by Goldbug (1996)". Obscure Music. 7 March 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Gina G ex-label boss hit by legal bill". Music Week. 3 April 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  11. ^ Wilson, Emma (21 March 2022). "Former pop star Sandra McKenzie 'stabbed 49 times' by convicted wife killer neighbour". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 19 February 2022.