Scooter (Belgian band)

Scooter
OriginAntwerp, Belgium
GenresNew wave, Rock, pop
Years active1979–1983
LabelsAriola
MembersPiet Van Den Heuvel
Jan Verheyen
Pit Verlinde
Jo Duchateau
Pit Verlinde
Herwig Duchateau
Past membersJan Fraeyman

Scooter was a Belgian pop band from Antwerp, that started in 1979 as Scooter on the Road. In 1981, they released the singles "Tattoo Turkey" and "Peppermint Girl". Due to guitarist Jan Fraeyman suffering from terminal illness he was replaced by Bert Decorte (from The Misters). Sadly, shortly after the release of their debut album One by One (1981), guitarist Jan Fraeyman died.

Scooter scored a megahit in Belgium with "You (Don't Want to Be Number One)" and won the Summerhit of 1981 award, an annual prize awarded by the Flemish broadcaster Radio 2.

The album “One by One” was produced by the drummer of the band, Herwig Duchateau, who was later successful as the producer of bands like The Bet, Schmutz, Won Ton Ton, The Machines, e.a.).

Scooter, now with guitarist Jan Verheyen after Bert Decorte left the band, released two more albums: Charm and Oblivion with American-sounding songs such as "Will I Ever Recover from You" (1982), "Stand Out" (1982) and "Minute by minute" (1983). In 1982, shortly after the release of Charm, keyboard player Pit Verlinde left the band.