♫Feeling Wild♫

Feeling or going wild may or may not be an integral part of your lifestyle; yet, more than likely, this experience has not been totally unavoidable. For sure, somewhere along the music road of life, you encountered the song, Wild Thing, of which the beat alone left you feeling wild. It has been around since the late 60s, 1966 to be exact. With today being April Fools' Day, there is the possibility you have been a little on the wild side all day today. So, let's step back to the time when Wild Thing was first recorded and visit The Troggs. No, no! Not trolls, but The Troggs! For music trivia on the song, visit A Bit on the Wild Side.

Spotlight on...

The Troggs 1966 Ronnie Bond, Reg Presley, Pete Staples and Chris Britton (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)

The Troggs Originally called The Troglodytes, were dubbed the progenitors of punk

The Troggs enjoyed success in the US at the height of the British Invasion. They became known for a unique rock 'n' roll formula that was more direct than their peers like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Kinks. With crunching guitar chords and Presley's primal vocals, this "Caveman Rock" was dismissed by some but proved to be hugely popular. The sound was a key influence on garage rock and punk.

The Troggs are widely seen as a highly influential band whose sound was one inspiration for garage rock and punk rock. For example, Iggy Pop of the Stooges has cited the Troggs as influential to their sound, and the early version of British pop-punk pioneers Buzzcocks featured I Can't Control Myself in their live repertoire. The Ramones are also amongst punk bands who cited the Troggs as an influence. The MC5 covered "I Want You" at their live shows and recorded the song for the album "Kick out the Jams", although they renamed it "I Want You Right Now". [Source: The Troggs]

1966 The Troggs recorded 'Wild Thing' at Regent Sound Studio in London. The song went on to be a No.1 US and No.2 UK hit in June the following year. The track was recorded in one complete take (take two).

 AND, much in line with April Fools' Day...

 

1970 As an April Fools' joke, John Lennon and Yoko Ono issued a statement to the press that they were having dual sex change operations. 

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times. . .