To be frank, I never heard of this group or this song until about 6 months ago. I have the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 book and just for fun, was picking songs at random that peaked at #101 (listed at the end of the book). Most of the videos came and went with little fanfare. Until this one. What a fantastic song! This bubbled under at #101 on May 27, 1978. It just missed appearing on the Hot 100. These guys sound great. It's fascinating reading comments from people who knew this song way back.
I was 12 and totally loved this song ,then the band disappeared,what a waste,brings back so many memories,thank goodness I remembered their name,thankyou You Tube.Helen
I'm the bass player in this Wha-Koo video. It's very cool that some of you remember the "Rocktober" tour in Australia. Most of us are still doing fine, sorry about Donny's passing, he was a great guy and a mentor to me.
@julierice100 It's been a very long time. Thanks for the lovely note. I wasn't much older than you when we recorded that song. I hope the years have been kind to you.
@mixfoley Thankyou so much for your reply.The years are still VERY TESTING......peace of mind still eludes me.....one day soon.....take care & god bless.KEEP SHINING..
@julierice100 I call them "bumps in the road". I hope you're making the best of them. Check out "Saint Clic 67" on youtube. That's me playing bass in a little funk band. Still having fun.
@mixfoley Hi there.Thankyou so much for your kind words.I've learnt that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,dancing was my passion, which is why I love this song so much!Painting & poetry(self taught) have eluded me,damn depression tends to block my creative juices...If you don't learn from your mistakes,they'll haunt you again...I try to make the best of the BUMPS...I watched Saint Clic 67.....Wow.....you are fab....keep shining..
I still have a 7" vinyl single of this song, and the frustrating thing is that it's a radio edit - they cut 3 or four repetitions of the coda chorus at the end ('Maybe time will never catch on up to you) which contained really interesting variations in melody and harmony (they are still here on the clip and on 'Berkshire'). The frustrating thing about the clip, however, is the loss of the beginning of that haunting piano intro. Just shows you can't always have everything. Grateful for this.
can someone tell me what they are saying at :58 . I love this song and remember it when I was a teenager, but for the life of me I can't work out what the words in that part of the chorus.
@MrSalvatore01 Hi there.'so devine,you defy the law of space for all time"SO FRUSTRATING when you can't work out the words..Hope it helped a little...
OMG, i have not heard this one for a while! Wonderful band, I still have the first two albums on vinyl, and finally managed to get a copy of "Fragile Line" on eBay just last week. Not seen anything of theirs on CD though. And yes, I got goose bumps again just hearing this. Thanks for putting it on, I have never seen them performing before.
i can plainly remember getting goose bumps when i heard this, just something about the music i guess and the amazing thing is that when i saw the clip the first thing i remembered was the girl who first told me about the song!
To dpfrancisco, sorry for your loss, but look at him getting into it!! A memory to cherish
I'm a South African living in the 'states now and I'm surprised how many American bands WEREN'T big here, but had hits overseas! Wha-Koo, Ellen Foley, Jim Steinman, Don Williams, Sam Neely, Jimmy "Bo" Horne... all had huge hits in SA but didn't chart, or barely charted, in America.
All these daughters of band members!! That's David Palmer from early Steely Dan on lead vocals, great voice. Try amazon for a vinyl copy. Alas no CD release.
Cool to see daughters of the band members on here as you say. I have this on a various artists cd. As my daughter was into ballet I developed a new appreciation for the song. I reckon I could do a good clip for it [err if I was any good at that sort of thing - not that this clip isn't great!]
I've had a copy of this album since originally came out, my first ex worked for Warner Bros. records in New Jersey and brought it home. About 8 years ago a friend transferred it to CD for me. The whole album is a gem, not a bad note on it. It always makes me sing and dance, they truly don't make 'em like they used to! So lovely to read the other comments and find that I'm not alone in this cult. :-)
Hey might look like Brian May ............ but he doesn't play like him........... i used to rollerskate to this song when I was 12... trying to pick up chick.........
One of the best bands of this era but so overlooked. This song is absolute genius and the musicianship is second to none. I just wish I could get a copy of this video. Thanks so much for posting it. Cheers Bob
The guitarist in this video is a friend of the guitarist/vocalist in a band I'm in, Leopold and Loeb. He helped record, mix, and engineer an album for us in winter 2007. Amazingly talented, incredibly generous and kind. Pass this video around to show how great it is.
OMG! I'm married to the guitar player in this video, and have been since 1975. I've been searching for this video for the last 30 years, no lie! I'm so happy to finally find it. It was one of the very first rock videos ever made in Hollywood. Thank you very much for putting it up here. You've made an old broad very happy!
hey, I'm annewc and the wha-koo guitarist's daughter. His name is Charles Cochran. He's still writing songs in LA, but now in a band... I'm not sure what the rest of the band is up to... they may have lost contact. I'll let my mom know about your post and see if she has any more info.
It's incredible to see all of you guys interested in my dad's band!
WOW! Im the daughter to the tambourine/bongo player/percussionist. His name was Don Francisco. He passed away about 10 years ago:( I cant tell you how wonderful this video is for me! Any memories shared about him would be fantastic. I miss him VERY much and it always nice to hear great memories and thoughts from others! Thanks!!
@dpfrancisco This has always been one of my favorite songs and this is the first time I've ever seen this video. My first husband worked in radio and gave me this album and I always thought your dad was so cute.I've tried to find articles about him online and I always get the other Don, which I'm also a fan of! I'm sorry to hear your dad is no longer with us. He rocks this video! Hope you are doing well.God bless you.
@dpfrancisco hi there :) I remember seeing an interview on tv in Australia, and your father was asked where the band's name came from - he said, when his daughter was very young and learning to speak, he took her to the beach and she pronounced 'water' as 'whakoo', so they used the name for the band. I guess this was you!
To be frank, I never heard of this group or this song until about 6 months ago. I have the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 book and just for fun, was picking songs at random that peaked at #101 (listed at the end of the book). Most of the videos came and went with little fanfare. Until this one. What a fantastic song! This bubbled under at #101 on May 27, 1978. It just missed appearing on the Hot 100. These guys sound great. It's fascinating reading comments from people who knew this song way back.
Mr429guy 6 days ago
i had this single . played it to death
hellozio 1 month ago
This is an absolute piece of A grade rolled gold. Terrific to read some of the posts from band and family members too. F**king brilliant!!
GrazingGoat66 3 months ago
i loved this since i first heard it on an ozzie mix tape! so glad i can hear it when i want to now, thanx for the upload
captnscarlet 5 months ago
I was 12 and totally loved this song ,then the band disappeared,what a waste,brings back so many memories,thank goodness I remembered their name,thankyou You Tube.Helen
rampfest24 7 months ago
Great song. Not on itunes ;(
Love the bass player at 1:44 lol
theonlyeddie 9 months ago
@theonlyeddie hahaha I hadn't noticed that.Very cool!
tracey2112 6 months ago
@theonlyeddie BUy it on vinyl at discogs cheap and u can own the artifact
hauntmeinharmony 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
theonlyeddie 9 months ago
Thankyou so much for posting this, these guys were one of the most underrated bands around in the 70's
woogy31 9 months ago
An interesting song from a "fabulous" group.
UZUAKPUNDU 11 months ago
DOES ANYONE HAVE OR KNOW WHERE TO DOWNLOAD THEIR LP "The Big Wha-Koo"
ozgreeny 1 year ago
Just found the album again and uploaded torrent.
Just search Wah-Koo Torrent and you will find!
Just listening to Berkshire now.........classic!
Hibeespleen 1 year ago 2
i had this record. listening to this you can hear the lyrics really clearly and they dont match my lyrics ha ha !
hellozio 1 year ago
Saw them in Sydney, Australia in the late 70's. Awesome, thanks for the clip, pity the sound wasn't better.
Notanotherenigma 1 year ago
Brilliant!-still have the 45 also like someone else.
martyw34 1 year ago
These guys should have been huge, I never understood why they weren't. Awesome band, thanks for sharing their remarkable talent with the world :-)
woogy31 1 year ago
well done eric, great song. all my mates thought it was a ripper.
i bought the 45'. what happened after that. we didn't hear from you.
johnnoV6 1 year ago
I'm the bass player in this Wha-Koo video. It's very cool that some of you remember the "Rocktober" tour in Australia. Most of us are still doing fine, sorry about Donny's passing, he was a great guy and a mentor to me.
eric gotthelf
ericgotthelf 1 year ago
@ericgotthelfHi Eric, lovely to meet you,so to speak.Love this song,always a favourite yesteryear.I was 18 then.....time flies...god bless..Julie
julierice100 1 year ago
@julierice100 It's been a very long time. Thanks for the lovely note. I wasn't much older than you when we recorded that song. I hope the years have been kind to you.
Eric
mixfoley 1 year ago
@mixfoley Thankyou so much for your reply.The years are still VERY TESTING......peace of mind still eludes me.....one day soon.....take care & god bless.KEEP SHINING..
julierice100 1 year ago
@julierice100 I call them "bumps in the road". I hope you're making the best of them. Check out "Saint Clic 67" on youtube. That's me playing bass in a little funk band. Still having fun.
mixfoley 1 year ago
@mixfoley Hi there.Thankyou so much for your kind words.I've learnt that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,dancing was my passion, which is why I love this song so much!Painting & poetry(self taught) have eluded me,damn depression tends to block my creative juices...If you don't learn from your mistakes,they'll haunt you again...I try to make the best of the BUMPS...I watched Saint Clic 67.....Wow.....you are fab....keep shining..
julierice100 1 year ago
Comment removed
orificerod 10 months ago
I still have a 7" vinyl single of this song, and the frustrating thing is that it's a radio edit - they cut 3 or four repetitions of the coda chorus at the end ('Maybe time will never catch on up to you) which contained really interesting variations in melody and harmony (they are still here on the clip and on 'Berkshire'). The frustrating thing about the clip, however, is the loss of the beginning of that haunting piano intro. Just shows you can't always have everything. Grateful for this.
StuC5 1 year ago
can someone tell me what they are saying at :58 . I love this song and remember it when I was a teenager, but for the life of me I can't work out what the words in that part of the chorus.
MrSalvatore01 2 years ago
@MrSalvatore01 Hi there.'so devine,you defy the law of space for all time"SO FRUSTRATING when you can't work out the words..Hope it helped a little...
julierice100 1 year ago
@MrSalvatore01 Tahnk you very much
MrSalvatore01 1 year ago
OMG, i have not heard this one for a while! Wonderful band, I still have the first two albums on vinyl, and finally managed to get a copy of "Fragile Line" on eBay just last week. Not seen anything of theirs on CD though. And yes, I got goose bumps again just hearing this. Thanks for putting it on, I have never seen them performing before.
MusicElaine1 2 years ago
Toured with Whakoo on the Berkshire release. Great album, great guys.
lmhuckaby 2 years ago
Had the album Berkshire ohh so long ago. Just got the cover now. Where can I hear more Wha- koo songs? please help me
msbonedigger 2 years ago
i can plainly remember getting goose bumps when i heard this, just something about the music i guess and the amazing thing is that when i saw the clip the first thing i remembered was the girl who first told me about the song!
To dpfrancisco, sorry for your loss, but look at him getting into it!! A memory to cherish
adsle5un 2 years ago 2
I'm a South African living in the 'states now and I'm surprised how many American bands WEREN'T big here, but had hits overseas! Wha-Koo, Ellen Foley, Jim Steinman, Don Williams, Sam Neely, Jimmy "Bo" Horne... all had huge hits in SA but didn't chart, or barely charted, in America.
hnorky 2 years ago
i think most of those artists didn't chart for very long overseas either. mostly one or two hits
littletog 2 years ago
What about "Berkshire"?
fcnstl 2 years ago
muito legal e linda essa canção!
ccamilla8 2 years ago
All these daughters of band members!! That's David Palmer from early Steely Dan on lead vocals, great voice. Try amazon for a vinyl copy. Alas no CD release.
Walpat2008 3 years ago
Cool to see daughters of the band members on here as you say. I have this on a various artists cd. As my daughter was into ballet I developed a new appreciation for the song. I reckon I could do a good clip for it [err if I was any good at that sort of thing - not that this clip isn't great!]
fossie32 2 years ago
I found Berkshire in my dad's record collection, I love this band
azzad10 3 years ago
Any info on how to get the albums or a burned copy? Im the daughter to the tambourine player and I would really love to have them! Thanks!
dpfrancisco 3 years ago
I loved this when it came out and I still love it. I was 16 when this was a hit in Australia. Sorry about your dad...
genericgeorge 2 years ago
Wow! This is a great song! This video is something rare!
great!
lucasinsane 3 years ago
Top old song. Cant find it on itunes or similar though. Any help welcome
ss8485 3 years ago
I have burned all three of this bands albums onto CD. Too damn bad this band was overlooked.
Hawkwind51 3 years ago
I haven't heard this song for so many years. I would love to sing it myself with my band!
headphone355 3 years ago
Could someone please send me this song im trying to get it for my dad he loves it so much!
basehunter7 3 years ago
Fantastic song!! Does anyone have the lyrics of Wha-koo? You Are Such A (Fabulous Dancer). Thank you!!
cronuh 3 years ago
I've had a copy of this album since originally came out, my first ex worked for Warner Bros. records in New Jersey and brought it home. About 8 years ago a friend transferred it to CD for me. The whole album is a gem, not a bad note on it. It always makes me sing and dance, they truly don't make 'em like they used to! So lovely to read the other comments and find that I'm not alone in this cult. :-)
Badgerbeads 3 years ago
I read that this song was only a hit in Australia ... thanx to Countdown showing the video (& Molly of course).
Shows what good taste we have ... AWESOME song & great to c the clip again (from another aussie show).
retroj25 3 years ago
i agree excellent song, been looking for this. I remember the days with the moove concerts on the Opera house steps. Those were the days....rock on
jeffacer62 3 years ago 2
Hey might look like Brian May ............ but he doesn't play like him........... i used to rollerskate to this song when I was 12... trying to pick up chick.........
gryano 3 years ago
One of the best bands of this era but so overlooked. This song is absolute genius and the musicianship is second to none. I just wish I could get a copy of this video. Thanks so much for posting it. Cheers Bob
drbob2004 3 years ago 2
Amazing....I saw you guys live in Australia with Thin Lizzy on the bill.
Open air concert on the steps of the Sydney opera house.
Ozeshin 3 years ago
The guitarist in this video is a friend of the guitarist/vocalist in a band I'm in, Leopold and Loeb. He helped record, mix, and engineer an album for us in winter 2007. Amazingly talented, incredibly generous and kind. Pass this video around to show how great it is.
seamouse007 3 years ago
OMG! I'm married to the guitar player in this video, and have been since 1975. I've been searching for this video for the last 30 years, no lie! I'm so happy to finally find it. It was one of the very first rock videos ever made in Hollywood. Thank you very much for putting it up here. You've made an old broad very happy!
annewc 3 years ago 2
OK annewc, you don't get off with just the one comment.........Now tell us more, like what's his name? What's the rest of the band doing now?
Cheers! and thanks for your interesting post (albeit four months ago. ha ha!!!)
doughnazi 3 years ago
hey, I'm annewc and the wha-koo guitarist's daughter. His name is Charles Cochran. He's still writing songs in LA, but now in a band... I'm not sure what the rest of the band is up to... they may have lost contact. I'll let my mom know about your post and see if she has any more info.
It's incredible to see all of you guys interested in my dad's band!
hclaireco 3 years ago
Ha ha. I had to look up the vid and song as I had forgotten "my" post. (wow, 2 months ago!!)
Yeah I loved this song from a "golden era" of music, and many bands that released 2 or 3 sensational and memorable songs.
Thanks for the contact hclaire, any more info is great for all lovers of your fathers music.
Regards to your mum too!
workthemeat 3 years ago
PS sorry to confuse. I'm aka Doughnazi!
PS Does your father still own that white suit? so 80's ha ha.......
Actually, wasn't it 79?
workthemeat 3 years ago
WOW! Im the daughter to the tambourine/bongo player/percussionist. His name was Don Francisco. He passed away about 10 years ago:( I cant tell you how wonderful this video is for me! Any memories shared about him would be fantastic. I miss him VERY much and it always nice to hear great memories and thoughts from others! Thanks!!
dpfrancisco 3 years ago
@dpfrancisco This has always been one of my favorite songs and this is the first time I've ever seen this video. My first husband worked in radio and gave me this album and I always thought your dad was so cute.I've tried to find articles about him online and I always get the other Don, which I'm also a fan of! I'm sorry to hear your dad is no longer with us. He rocks this video! Hope you are doing well.God bless you.
jochmaboys 1 year ago
@dpfrancisco hi there :) I remember seeing an interview on tv in Australia, and your father was asked where the band's name came from - he said, when his daughter was very young and learning to speak, he took her to the beach and she pronounced 'water' as 'whakoo', so they used the name for the band. I guess this was you!
ArabellaSL 11 months ago
It was great to find this music.
By the way do you have the lyrics.
Thank you
guidogrcj 3 years ago
absolutely brilliant song from a great album "berkshire " How could they have been overlooked ?
stuartbagley 4 years ago
can't half tell these guys are queen freaks! check out the brian may'ish guitarist and the video effects after the lead break.
podoz 4 years ago
what an awesome song, so good to see this again after so many years
podoz 4 years ago
i have the mp3 if u want it.
jtemme1 4 years ago
Very much appreciated if you please
boerenlol 4 years ago
Brilliant, Not see this for ever, Thanks for sharing..
eyupmeducks 4 years ago
Great song. Brings back so many memories. It hasnt dated. A real hidden gem. Always the best kind of gem to find.
genericgeorge 4 years ago
I love this. I've been trying to hear this ever since I last heard it as a kid growing up in Australia in the '70s.
2403BurghfieldDF 4 years ago 2
yea thanks for posting, love the song.
MRMILO57 4 years ago
Thanks for posting!
luc137 4 years ago