The Astronauts formed in 1961 in Boulder, Colorado, taking their name as a tribute to local hero, astronaut Scott Carpenter.
After gaining a strong local reputation, the band released their first single, Come Along Baby in 1962 on the small Palladium label before signing to RCA.
Their first RCA single was surf instrumental Baja, written by Lee Hazelwood, which made #94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was to remain the pinnacle of their chart career in the US.
They then released a succession of singles on RCA in an attempt by the record company to emulate the success of The Beach Boys and other surf music groups topping the charts at the time.
The group attracted a huge following in Japan, where five albums and three singles made the top 10, with Movin’ – retitled as Over The Sun – reaching #1 in that country.
Gallagher and Lindsey were drafted for Vietnam before the last album, Travelin’ Men in 1967, and were replaced by Mark Bretz and Rod Jenkins respectively. Demmon also left, being replaced by Robert Carl McLerran, before Fifield and Patterson finally decided to wrap the band up after a tour of Asia in 1968.
The Astronauts reunited to perform in Boulder, Colorado, in 1974, 1988 and 1989.
Richard Otis “Rich” Fifield
Vocals, guitar Dick Sellars
Guitar Robert Graham “Bob” Demmon
Guitar Jon “Storm” Patterson
Bass, vocals Brad Leach
Drums Jim Gallagher
Drums Dennis Lindsey
Guitar Mark Bretz
Drums Rod Jenkins
Guitar Robert Carl McLerran
Guitar
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