Astoria, NY -- (SBWire) -- 02/02/2011 -- Hey, watch out little Snoopy! The 1960s hit-making rock band The Royal Guardsmen, who rose to worldwide fame in 1966 with the hit singles "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" and "Snoopy's Christmas" is drawing rave reviews for its first-ever live CD, "Beaglemania LIVE!"
The 20-song project was recorded on Nov. 7, 2010 at Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora, California.
"Beaglemania LIVE!" was produced in conjunction with The Royal Guardsmen's "Over and Out Tour," which will continue through 2014.
The collector's edition CD features all the band's hits, including: "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron," "Snoopy's Christmas," "Baby Let's Wait," and "Return of The Red Baron," to name a few. It also includes entertaining and insightful on-stage interviews with the band members.
Michael McDowell, Editor/Publisher of Blitz Magazine, called it one of the best releases of 2010.
"Given The Royal Guardsmen's impressive recorded canon for the Laurie label, there was no doubt that their latest effort was going to be first rate," said McDowell. "The first generation garage rock legends have a solid template on which they can continue to build upon their legacy. With this superlative new live album, the Royal Guardsmen do not rest exclusively on the laurels of their hit singles. Their set is enhanced with a judicious amount of B-sides, album tracks and sympathetic covers, executed with the exuberance of the studio originals. Beaglemania Live! is truly one of the best releases of the year."
At the height of their illustrious career, The Royal Guardsmen achieved what most rock groups only dream of. The sextet from Ocala, Florida hit it big in 1966 with the single, "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron," which was released on Laurie Records. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and remained there for 12 weeks. It went on to sell one million copies, earning it Platinum certification from the R.I.A.A. in 1967.
Subsequent chart-toppers followed, including: "Airplane Song," "Wednesday," "I Say Love," "Snoopy's Christmas" and "Baby Let's Wait."
The Royal Guardsmen's original lineup consisted of: Bill Balogh (bass), John Burdett (drums), Chris Nunley (vocals), Tom Richards (guitar), Billy Taylor (organ), and Barry Winslow (vocals/guitar). Richards died of a brain tumor in 1979 and was replaced by Pat Waddell, who is still with the group today.
Despite its massive success, the band split in 1969. However, its recordings continued to sell and remain in high demand around the world. In 2008, Burdett and Winslow teamed up to write and record "Snoopy Vs. Osama" in honor of the U.S. troops fighting the war in Iraq. The song has been featured regularly on the syndicated radio program, The Dr. Demento Show.
In the spring of 2009, The Guardsmen's hit, "Airplane Song," was chosen as the theme song for Red Bull's Flugtag events and was aired in television commercials nationwide. The group recently played at the Cannery Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they received a standing ovation from fans who had come in droves from all across the United States.
More information about The Royal Guardsmen can be accessed by logging on to: http://www.theroyalguardsmen.com/. "Beaglemania LIVE!" is sold exclusively at http://www.starcreekrecords.com
"Snoopy" Hitmakers, The Royal Guardsmen, Receive High Praise for Long-Awaited Live CD, Beaglemania Live!