ROCKETS

Practically the French cousins of the very Italian Dee Dee Jackson… They too are representatives, with even greater claim than her, of “space disco.” They formed in Paris in 1972 under the name Crystal, and were still “normal” at that time; in ’74 they evolved into “Rocket men,” with silver suits, gray contact lenses, and completely shaved heads… and “voilà”: their first “space” success with “Rocket man.”

The turning point came after yet another name change to “Rockets,” and the release of “Future woman.” This happened in ’76, when they began touring with an innovative and groundbreaking show for audiences, being the first to use lasers, smoke, electronic effects, and even a sort of flamethrower.

“On the road again,” in 1978, represents their best-known and most successful track, and they became hugely popular especially in Europe, also bringing success to their subsequent 1980 album, “Galaxy.”

In the following years, as disco declined, they skillfully changed direction, which allowed them to continue working, even though they abandoned the “space disco” that had brought them so much success. There are Rockets concerts happening around the world, but they no longer feature the original members: a sort of licensing of the “silver shaved heads” brand, which profits those who tour the shows, but certainly also benefits them. In Italy, the Sanremo parody by Elio e le Storie Tese is fondly and amusingly remembered, performing “La terra dei cachi.”