This post is dedicated to the memory of Klaatu member Terry Draper who passed away on May 15, 2025
I can remember the years prior to John Lennon being murdered. Many of the first generation Beatles fans yearned for the group to reunite to give us that continuing gift of more music. The ex-Beatles were being offered extraordinary sums to reunite for an album or perhaps a tour or a large live performance. This prompted several groups to be declared as being the Beatles playing under a pseudonym. One such group was the Canadian group called Klaatu. Another was the Masked Marauders. I can remember my initial perceptions of what turned out to be the Canadian group (Klaatu). They had a Beatlesque vocal style to several of their tracks on the first album but I certainly could tell that is was not the Beatles singing on the record. The musicians did not credit themselves on the first record and that lent more mystery to the group. In addition they were on Capitol Records, the distributor of Apple Records in the US. Klaatu was also a reference to the movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still” with the name of the interstellar ambassador named Klaatu played by actor, Michael Rennie. Ringo Starr dressed as Klaatu with the robot Gort, were also featured on the Ringo Starr solo album entitled Goodnight Vienna. I am in the minority in saying that I am glad the Beatles did not reunite following their 1970 split. The reason for this belief is that no matter how good a reunion concert would be it could never totally live up to the expectations of both the fans and the critics. The Beatles made the right decision. The feeling of anticipation will always exceed the expectations. Leave the fans yearning for more and they will live forever with the idealized version of “what could have been.” It is a shame that talented musicians like the members of Klaatu weren’t really fully allowed to display their musical, composing, and arranging skills because of the initial Beatles comparisons. Look how Julian Lennon was cursed by being constantly compared with his dad. it gave constant fodder to the critics who never allowed him to be his own man which continues to this very day and why Julian chose photography as a medium where he could not be compared with dad!
The following are some of the Klaatu albums prior to their split. There is a lot of good music on these LP’s. Listen to them if you get the opportunity, you will be pleased!!!
The three Canadian members of Klaatu-the source of this photo is the Wikipedia link provided below their names:
Left to right: John Woloschuk, Dee Long, Terry Draper
Klaatu (band) – Wikipedia
The first album by Klaatu: Issued in 1976
Klaatu – Klaatu – Vinyl (Winchester Pressing, LP, Album), 1976 [r1542824] | Discogs–this link from Discogs features 2 pages of supposed clues reinforcing that the recordings might indeed be the Beatles. Seek out the two written pages on this link
Here are the 2 pages of “clues” provided in the Discogs link above: List was prepared by the organization WAMS
From the first Klaatu LP:
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft – YouTube
I can see the Beatles comparisons in the arrangement and possibly the tune but the vocals do not personally remind me of the Fab 4. I enjoy the tune very much though!
The track listing of the first album:
Ringo’s 2nd album featuring Gort the robot and RIngo portraaying the Klaatu character from The Day the Earth Stood Still.
The Klaatu album called Hope: Released in 1977 by Capitol
The track listing for the Hope LP:
The Klaatu album entitled Magenta Lane: Released in 1981 Capitol
The track listing of Magenta Lane featured a tribute song that Klaatu drummer, the late Terry Draper sang for one of his friends and for John Lennon:
DECEMBER DREAM
This song was the fifth song on their final album Magentalane. What is notable about the song is that Terry Draper is the main singer on this song.
The song is a reference to the passing of two people, Terry Draper’s friend, and the Beatle, John Lennon.
The Peaks compilation Klaatu album with liner notes By Davis Farrell that clearly delineate the double-edged sword of being compared with the Beatles. Rather than being a boon or benefit, it can also be a hindrance obscuring the talents of many bands trying to make their mark and way through the music industry..
The liner notes and the list of the tracks compiled for this release:
Released in 1993 as a compilation cd
The Klaatu album entitled Sir Army Suit: Released in 1978
I was able to acquire a signed copy of the album cover on Ebay!
Track Listing for the Sir Army Suit Album:
| A Routine Day | |||
| Juicy Luicy | |||
| Everybody Took A Holiday | |||
| Older | |||
| Dear Christine | |||
| Mister Manson | |||
| Tokeymor Field | |||
| Perpetual Motion Machine | |||
| Chérie | |||
| Silly Boys |
The back cover of the LP:
The Klaatu album entitled Endangered Species, initially released on Capitol October 10, 2007
The back cover of the LP:
Following the bands dissolution the members did several solo recordings-this list is from the band’s website
The Klaatu Beatles rumors also inspired another well-known act, The Carpenters, to cover their song about bringing interstellar peace to the universe!
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day) – YouTube
Hope you enjoyed this snapshot from across the universe… and there is some great news coming from one of the book authors that subscribes to this blog, named Aaron Badgley who is the writer of this book, Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison’s Post-Beatles Record Label: Badgley, Aaron: 9781789522877: Amazon.com: Books , is currently writing a book about the Klaatu story. I can’t wait to see and read that book!
This is a very cool retrospective! Rest in peace, Terry Draper. My main reason for commenting is to note how cool and rare your Sir Army Suit signed cover is! It appears to be signed by John, Dee, Terry, and Dino Tome(?) which is SUPER awesome, and ALSO, it appears to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Beatle rumour since the copyright publication that tried to oust their real names around 1976-77ish listed “David Long” and “Cary Draper”, and it appears those guys signed with THOSE versions of their names – soooo cool!!! Perhaps even one of a kind?!? They reference these names in the interview “Klaatu – May 1980” on Klaatu.org. Thanks for the awesome info & scans, and long live KLAATU! Peace – Allesandro from Ontario, Canada
This is a very cool retrospective! Rest in peace, Terry Draper. My main reason for commenting is to note how cool and rare your Sir Army Suit signed cover is! It appears to be signed by John, Dee, Terry, and Dino Tome(?) which is SUPER awesome, and ALSO, it appears to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Beatle rumour since the copyright publication that tried to oust their real names around 1976-77ish listed “David Long” and “Cary Draper”, and it appears those guys signed with THOSE versions of their names – soooo cool!!! Perhaps even one of a kind?!? They reference these names in the interview “Klaatu – May 1980” on Klaatu.org. Thanks for the awesome info & scans, and long live KLAATU! Peace – Allesandro from Ontario, Canada
Klaatu were a talented band. Agreed, the negativity towards Julian Lennon was disappointing, but nothing compared to the disdain leveraged at Paul McCartney (and Wings) throughout the 1970s by most critics and his former band mates as he delivered a new body of music and significant success. Most of it was completely unjustified and its unfortunate these subjective attitudes and comments have found their way onto the web to be preserved.
That is why the best policy is believe what your own ears tell you! That is the only criticism that truly counts!!
I really enjoyed and I remember!
I’d forgotten about this group and the Beatles rumors. Thanks for sharing this.
So little time….so much to know! (Jeremy Hillary Boob)