I've had a few people email me about the Klaatu-Beatles stuff. It was intense, but very brief when it did happen way back in 1976 or 77. A bit like the Paul Is Dead story with the Beatles, people looked for "Klaatu clues" everywhere. This song, also off their first album, featured as "evidence".
I think there were at least 2 reasons:
It does sound a bit like Paul singing and the whole tune has a Beatle-like feel to it (story-in-a-song, production, instrumentation) Plus the bass-playing at the start is a bit Macca-ish.
The title. Sub-Rosa means secret and Paul had an album called Red Rose Speedway, so a play on words or hint? Or maybe a joke or coincidence...
I don't keep Top 10 fave lists of bands, but if I did Klaatu would be in this list. Which doesn't exist :-)
Circa 1976 they put out their first album. They didn't put their names nor images on the cover. Apparently a journalist - not associated with the band - started speculating that The Beatles had reformed and recorded this album. Molly Meldrum even repeated this on Countdown, but I remember him stressing it was only a rumour.
Being a teenager besotted with the Fab Four, I purchased it. And was hooked on its clever mix of pop-rock songs, including the original Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft.
The whole "are they The Beatles?" thing got totally out of control and the (innocent?) band suffered as a consequence. However not before releasing 2 excellent albums, including a 2nd one recorded - still anonymously - with the London Symphony Orchestra! More on that one in a future post.
But for now, off their first album, here's the most good California Jam.
