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The Knickerbockers were a band formed in 1962 by Buddy Randell (vocals, sax), previously of the Royal Teens, who had a hit with "Short Shorts", along with brothers Beau (guitar/vocals), John (bass/vocals) Charles and drummer Jimmy Walker. After three years of unsuccessful recordings, following the popular interest (for example the single "Jerk Town" is sung in the style of the Four Seasons and references hot rods along with the songs "The In Crowd", "Surf City" and "Downtown"), they had a top 20 hit with the Beatles soundalike "Lies", penned by Randell and Beau Charles.
"Lies" was relatively well known, but the follow-up, "One Track Mind" was better received. Due to demand, the band's label, Challenge, couldn't handle the distribution and the single only reached number 45. Shortly after, Walker replaced Bill Medley in The Righteous Brothers, and the band split soon after.
The band's two most popular singles are on the Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era box, and there are numerous reissues/rarity sets. The definitive collection by the band is titled The Fabulous Knickerbockers and is on Sundazed Records.
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