Namesakes #164: Rocking Horse

If the horse is rocking, these guys come knocking...

ROCKIN' HORSES #1

We start today in 1956 with a Louis Armstrong-esque rock n roll number.

Rockin' Horses - House Rocker

ROCKING HORSE #2

Next, a Trojan Rocking Horse, responsible for a whole bunch of Reggae singles in the early 70s. This was the one I picked, purely because I liked the title.

Rocking Horse – I’m So Fed Up

ROCKIN' HORSE #3

A Liverpudlian Rockin' Horse next, keen to "revive the classic Liverpool sound" in 1971. Songwriter Billy Kinsey (previously of the Merseybeats, later of The Liverpool Express) came up with the idea for this tune while on holiday in Portugal, where he met a couple of a mischievous toddler called Julian... I'm presuming the dad wasn't called John.

Rockin' Horse - Julian The Hooligan

ROCKING HORSE #4

Funky disco dudes - more Gee Gees than Bee Gees, from somewhere in the US in the mid 70s…

Rockin’ Horse – Love Do Me Right

ROCKINGHORSE #5

Meanwhile, in New Zealand in the mid-70s, these country-flavoured dudes were enjoying chart success which allowed for no space between the rocking and the horse. Extra points for being the only band to have their photo taken with an actual rocking horse.

Rockinghorse - Thru The Southern Moonlight

ROCKING HORSE #6

Our next Rocking Horse, also known as The Superobots, Superband and Megalonsingers, are an Italian musical group active between 1979 and 1984, dedicated to creating theme songs for cartoons. And it took me quite a long time to get my head around that. I’m presuming that the photo above is from some more recent reunion gig.

Rocking Horse – Candy Candy

ROCKIN' HORSE #7

Belgian instrumental Rockin' Horse from 1980.

Rockin' Horse - Dixie / Backstreet Cat

ROCKING HORSE #8

Putting the ROCK in Rocking Horse, these guys hailed from Minneapolis in 1981…

Rocking Horse – Radioactive

ROCKING HORSE #9

The sound of a South African Rocking Horse from 1988… singing about going down south to New Orleans (which would be a northerly destination for these guys - i.e. "Up North" - surely?)

Rocking Horse - Down South In New Orleans

ROCKING HORSE #10

US Blues/Funk/Rock/Jam crossover band from the late 90s, led by one Joe Stuby. Still gigging around the New Jersey area, as far as I can see.

Joe Stuby & Rocking Horse - Hello

ROCKING HORSE #11

“Hip shaking rhythm” and “Soul swinging blues” from Sydney, circa 2013, with added Baby Dolls.

Rocking Horse & The Baby Dolls – At The Races

ROCKING HORSE #12

And finally, a Spanish Rocking Horse from 2017. Be warned, “their live shows are full of instrumental virtuosity but with a true feeling that will make your head blow out.” I’m sorry, they’re from Barcelona.

Rocking Horse - Quién Crees Que Eres

Which ones rock your horse... and which ones shock your pony?