Klaatu (band)

Klaatu
Klaatu (2005) Left to right: John Woloschuk, Dee Long, Terry Draper
Klaatu (2005)
Left to right: John Woloschuk, Dee Long, Terry Draper
Background information
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active1973–1982, 1988, 2005
LabelsDaffodil, Capitol, Attic
Past membersJohn Woloschuk
Dee Long
Terry Draper
Websiteklaatu.org

Klaatu (/ˈklɑːtuː/) was a Canadian rock group[1] formed in 1973 by the duo of John Woloschuk and Dee Long. They named themselves after an ambassador, Klaatu, from an extraterrestrial confederation who visits Earth with his companion robot Gort in the film The Day the Earth Stood Still. After recording two non-charting singles, the band added drummer Terry Draper to the line-up; this trio constituted Klaatu throughout the rest of the band's recording career.

In Canada, the band is remembered for several hits, including "California Jam" (1974), "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" (1976) and "Knee Deep in Love" (1980). In the U.S. "Calling Occupants" backed with "Sub-Rosa Subway" was a minor double-sided hit and their only chart entry, peaking at No. 62 in 1977.

Internationally, the group's pop-influenced style of progressive rock has led to them being known as the "Canadian Beatles".[2][3][4]

  1. ^ "A Dictionary by Rock Snobs, for Rock Snobs". NPR.org.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference allmusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference JRA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "North of America: The Sepultura EP". Pitchfork.com.