Is that a penguin on the dancefloor?

[ashley]

This is a question for older Americans who can remember visiting U.S. nightclubs in the early to mid 70s .. There was an underground dance hit in about 1973 by L J Reynolds & Chocolate Syrup called "What's the matter baby" .. the instrumental b-side was titled "The penguin breakdown" .. then the Trammps came along with their huge dance hit "Zing went the strings of my heart" .. and the b-side instrumental was called "Penguin at the big apple" .. So what was the big fascination with flightless birds at this time? .. Was the penguin a dance? ( .. like Rufus Thomas & his "funky penguin"? ) .. did the clubbers dance the penguin while the instrumental versions were spinning? .. or is it a reference to the Penguin Cafe Orchestra? .. who were apparently quite popular in the 70s .. Much love, Ashley, Manchester UK

[Videoskooter]

Interesting question Don't have a clue!!!

And don't forget this one:

[Simon White]

I think Penguins go back even further..Alvin Cash in 1965 had a dance record called The Penguin (Tuxedo Bird) ...the flip side 'Un-Wind The Twine' is one of my favourite records.
And I think there are probably earlier examples.

[Videoskooter]

I'm getting fascinated here!!

[DISCODISK]

from 72 there was ....



in the late 70s there was a u.s group called penguin feet and the teardrop kid who recorded on hdm records

id say it was all to do with a dance.

[Ian Rose]

Rufus Thomas- Funky Penguin?? Wait got ahead of myself there...Oops.

[VINYLLIFE]

Hi Ashley

This is interesting and kind of funny. Maybe there was an invasion of Disco loving penguins back in the day.

[Cdnbob]

The fascination lives on even today. Animated cartoon character Pingu has even got in the act. Eskimo Disco by 7-11 features Pingu the Penguin.
Check it out at this link YouTube - Eskimo Disco 7 -11 featuring Pingu

Bob

[KoolChris]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Interesting question Don't have a clue!!!

And don't forget this one:

Kind of off base, but I LOVE "Love in our hearts". I just wish the beat wasn't so weird. I still love the track as it is, but I think the moving singing and lyrics would have been better served by better and more developed arrangements...

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by DISCODISK

from 72 there was ....



in the late 70s there was a u.s group called penguin feet and the teardrop kid who recorded on hdm records

id say it was all to do with a dance.

Agree wholeheartedly.

Lunar Funk was an instant floorfiller BITD..great record...solid funky upbeat tempo, fun elements.

Penguin also refers to men who wear dinner jackets/tuxedos, white shirt, black tie (the original kind of bow-tie c.1920s/30s especially).

[ashley]

.. my 9 year old niece has a dancing disco penguin which waddles & flaps its' wings to the dance beat .. it actually shakes it's rump to the funk .. check out: Real Hasbro I-CY Penguin reviews in iPod / MP3 Player Accessories - Buzzillions.com

[Cdnbob]

Originally Posted by ashley

.. my 9 year old niece has a dancing disco penguin which waddles & flaps its' wings to the dance beat .. it actually shakes it's rump to the funk .. check out: Real Hasbro I-CY Penguin reviews in iPod / MP3 Player Accessories - Buzzillions.com

Ashley its funny you mention this as there is an advert for this dancing Penguin featured all the time on the cartoon channel here called Teletoon. You plug your mp3 player into it and it dances and flashes lights. LOL!