ABOUT
The Troggs are a veteran and influential English garage rock band that became famous during the late 1960s. Formed in 1964 in Andover, Hampshire, the original lineup consisted of Chris Britton (lead guitar, backing vocals), Pete Staples (bass, backing vocals), drummer Ronnie Bond (May 4, 1940 - November 13, 1992, b. Ronald James Bullis), and lead singer Reg Presley (June 12, 1941 - February 4, 2013, b. Reginald Maurice Ball) who wrote many of the band's hits. In 1965, The Troggs signed with Kinks manager Larry Page and released their debut single, "Lost Girl," and soon after, they went on to become one of the top acts of the British Invasion.
The Troggs made their U.S. debut in the summer of 1966 with the Chip Taylor-penned "Wild Thing," which topped the charts and made the band famous worldwide. This smash, which features a quirky ocarina instrumental solo, was followed later that year by the catchy "With A Girl Like You" and the lusty "I Can't Control Myself," which both became Top 40 hits. The Troggs had another smash in 1968 with the melodic Presley-penned pop ballad, "Love Is All Around," which made the Top 10. The band's hits also included "Give It To Me," (1967), "You Can Cry If You Want To" (1968), and an unusual cover of The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" (1975). The Troggs had their final charting song in 1975 with "Summertime" (not to be confused with the same-named Billy Stewart 1966 hit). In 1993, the band recorded a new version of its greatest hit, "Wild Thing," which reached #69 on the U.K. charts. More recently, this proto-punk garage rock classic was ranked at #257 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Since The Troggs' commercial peak in the late 1960s, their hits have been covered over the years by such bands and artists as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, MC5, Brian May of Queen, R.E.M., and screaming Sam Kinison, and they have been cited as a major influence by The Ramones and Iggy Pop. The band has continued to perform and record actively to the present day, with a number of personnel changes. The current lineup consists of original member Chris Britton and newer members Darren Bond (drums), John W. Doyle (lead guitar, backing vocals), Pete Lucas (lead guitar, bass, backing vocals), and lead singer Chris Allen.
LINKS
- For more info about the history of The Troggs and the band's touring schedule, visit thetroggs.co.uk.
- The Washington Post remembers original Troggs' lead singer Reg Presley.
- The Music's Over pays tribute to original Troggs' drummer Ronnie Bond.
MERCHANDISE
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- The Troggs - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- The Troggs - CDs, vinyl, & more - CDUniverse.com
- The Troggs - Digital music - Amazon.com
- The Troggs - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
- The Troggs - Sheet Music - SheetMusicPlus.com
SONGS
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The Troggs
- Love Is All Around 1968
(This song later also became a hit for Wet Wet Wet (1994).) - Wild Thing 1966
(This song topped the charts and later also became a hit for Senator Bobby (1967) and Fancy (1974).) - With A Girl Like You 1966
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