Zoot

Inducted 24 November 2017

Zoot was formed from the merger of two popular groups operating in Adelaide’s southern beachside suburbs, Times Unlimited and The Mermen.  Initially known as Down The Line, the group comprised Daryll Cotton (vocals), Gerard Bertelkamp (known as Beeb Birtles – bass guitar), John D’Arcy (lead guitar), Gordon Rawson (rhythm guitar) and Ted Higgins (drums).

Following the departure of Gordon Rawson, Down the Line played as a foursome in and around Port Noarlunga for most of 1966.  Changing their name to Zoot in 1967, the band succeed in getting city gigs, particularly at Scott's Church, and began building a reputation.  By the end of the year Zoot had become one of Adelaide’s biggest groups with a large repertoire and playing 4 gigs per week. John D’Arcy left the group and was replaced by Steve Stone on lead guitar.   

Zoot turned professional and headed for Melbourne in August, 1968 and recorded their first single, “You’d Better Get Goin’.  Tony Knight, their manager, planned a major launch for the band, conceiving the ‘Think Pink Think Zoot’ concept .  The band was launched in September at Berties, the number one nightspot in Melbourne.  At this time Steve Stone and Ted Higgins decided to return to Adelaide and were replaced by Roger Hicks and Rick Brewer.

In December, 1968 ‘1 x 2 x 3 x 4’ was released as the band’s second single, making the National Top 40.  In March of the following year Zoot played to an estimated crowd of 150,000 at the Myer Music Bowl as part of Melbourne’s Moomba celebrations.  It was followed by a national tour, coinciding with the release of their third single, ‘Monty And Me’ which, again, made the National Top 40. In June, 1969 Zoot won the Go-Set Pop Poll for best Australian Group.  In August, Roger Hicks left and was replaced by Rick Springfield who had a significant impact on the band, toughening their music.  The band’s first album, ‘Just Zoot’, showed the first inklings of their heavier, more progressive sound.

In a staged publicity stunt, Zoot burned their pink paraphernalia on television and, in April, 1970 released Springfields’ ‘Hey Pinky’ as their new single.  In August, the band performed a heavy version of The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ at the Final of the Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds.  Released in December, 1970, Eleanor Rigby became a national top five hit, remaining on the charts for over 20 weeks.  ‘The Freak’, its follow-up made the top thirty before the band decided to break up in mid-1971 with individual members going on to achieve significant further success.