Klaatu
Klaatu was a Canadian Progressive Rock band formed by John Woloschuk and Dee Long, with drummer Terry Draper later joining then. As their name indicates they named themselves after the alien Klaatu from The Day the Earth Stood Still. Their most famous track was the song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", which reached even more exposure thanks to being covered by The Carpenters. Their fame was also increased when, due to a lack of credits on their debut album and their sound, they were mistaken for a reunion of The Beatles.
Discography:
- 3:47 EST (retitled Klaatu in the US) (1976)
- Hope (1977)
- Sir Army Suit (1978)
- Endangered Species (1980)
- Magentalane (1981)
Klaatu provides examples of the following tropes:
- Anonymous Band: At first, but the band eventually credited themselves after being mistaken for a Beatles reunion.
- California Collapse: The subject of "California Jam".
- Concept Album: Hope.
- Executive Meddling: Endangered Species was caused by Capitol wishing for the band to adopt a more pop-rock sound. It didn't go well.
- Klaatu Barada Nikto: Quite obviously.
- Market-Based Title: Capitol retitled their first album to the band's name in the US because they thought the reference was too obscure.
- No Export for You: Magentalane was only released in their native Canada. Not too surprising, given the poor performance of their previous two albums.
- One-Hit Wonder
- Self-Titled Album: Subverted, as stated on Market-Based Title.
- Writer Revolt: "Sell Out, Sell Out" tells how the Executive Meddling by Capitol got to the band.