The Cougars

The Cougars were a short-lived band, formed in Bristol, England, in 1961. They specialised in rock music, mostly instrumental versions of pop and classical pieces.

The band, comprising Keith Owen (lead guitar), Dave Tanner (rhythm guitar), Adrian Morgan (bass guitar) and Dave Hack (drums), signed a recording contract with Parlophone in 1963, after having been spotted at a talent contest by EMI's A&R man, Norrie Paramor.

Their single "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" uses music from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The song achieved some notoriety for been banned by the BBC, despite which it spent eight weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #33. Their songs "Red Square" and "Caviare and Chips" also borrowed themes from Tchaikovsky. The Cougars' final session for Parlophone was on 16 December 1963, when they recorded "Caviare and Chips", "While The City Sleeps" and "Sausage Roll", although the latter track remains unreleased. Only a small part, I think about four bar of "Crying for the Carolines" is the opening for "Our Man in Siberia". After recording three singles and an EP, The Cougars disbanded in 1964.

"Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" is included in the anthology 20 One Hit Wonders, published on the label See For Miles and on EMI's Instrumental Greats Of The 60's (CDB 7 94226 2 - 1990). "Fly-By-Nite" is on Instrumental Diamonds - Jumpin (Sequel Records - NEXCD 149 - 1990).

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