THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN TAKE OFF!

Original Released on LP Laurie LLP 2038 / ST 91065
(US, December 1966)

There's nothing new about Pop Art. It has been a big part of the art of music for centuries. Typically, modern America has enjoyed a wealth of "pop-art" music for a decade. Humor, while varying in concept, is universal; appealing to all age groups. Today the source of humor can be nearly anything from cartoons to TV commercials; history to girls; here to there events in everyday life. In this album, The Royal Guardsmen have taken a small sampling of the songs that have made Americans of all ages smile at one time or another in the past ten years. This group is a refreshing change on the American musical scene. The Royal Guardsmen, six members ranging from age sixteen to nineteen, delight in performing music in every style on a wide array of instruments. Barry, Chris and Tom carry the prime load when it comes to singing, but everyone joins in when the occasion demands. You hear Barry singing lead on "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron", "The Battle Of New Orleans", "Liberty Valance"; he plays rhythm guitar. Chris sings lead on "Alley-Oop", "Jolly Green Giant", "Li'l Red Riding Hood", "Road Runner" and "Bo Diddley". Tom is the lead singer on "Sweetmeats Slide" and plays lead guitar. Rounding out the group we find Bill on bass, John on drums and Billy T. on the organ. Together for a mere eight months, The Royal Guardsmen have for a common denominator TALENT, enthusiasm and a love of fun. Their recording of "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" (included in this album) is, at this writing, the fastest rising, single record of 1966. Producer for the Guardsmen is Phil A. Gernhard, owner of a Florida Production firm. (Taken from the original liner notes)

EP VOGUE INT. 18118 (FRANCE,1966)

Este EP fez as delícias da minha adolescência, e foi uma grata surpresa tê-lo encontrado de novo há alguns anos atrás, até porque o meu exemplar original fazia parte do espólio perdido há muitos anos nas terras do Índico. O tema principal não tem nada a ver com o Snoopy do Charlie Brown, é antes baseado em factos históricos: o capitão Arthur Brown, aviador creditado como tendo abatido o temível Red Baron durante a 1ª Guerra Mundial, tinha por alcunha o "Snoopy". O single chegou a nº 8 nas tabelas inglesas e a nº 2 nas americanas.