It Was 50 Years Ago Today: “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” by The Royal Guardsmen
January 31, 1967
“Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” by The Royal Guardsmen
#1 on the RPM Top Singles Chart (Canada), January 14 – February 3, 1967
Sometimes, all you need to break into the big time is a good gimmick. Other times, however, one good gimmick isn’t enough; you need to pile on two or three gimmicks until you find the one that clicks.
Such was the case with the Florida-based rock band the Posmen. When the British Invasion kicked off, the six-piece rechristened themselves after Vox’s newly released Royal Guardman amp in an attempt to cash in on the craze, despite the fact that they didn’t actually sound much like the UK beat bands.
Even after the name change, however, the Royal Guardsmen struggled to break through. The band’s first single, 1966’s “Baby Let’s Wait,” failed to make much of an impact.
Their fortunes changed, however, when they were offered a novelty song riffing on Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip Peanuts. A recurring theme in the comic strip was Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy’s imaginary battles with the Red Baron, an actual World War I German flying ace.
“Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” was written by Phil Gernhard, who had previously produced Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs’ #1 hit “Stay,” and Dick Holler, a songwriter who would later go on to pen Dion’s “Abraham, Martin and John.”
The combination of popular source material and a catchy chorus (“10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more / the bloody Red Baron was rolling out the score”) seemed guaranteed to be a hit — if they could get Schulz’s permission. But what would happen if the cartoonist wouldn’t give his assent?
As a precaution, Gerhard, Holler, and the Royal Guardsmen recorded a non-trademark infringing version of the song retitled “Squeaky vs. the Black Knight.” While the licensing issues were being straightened out, the “Squeaky” version surprisingly got a decent chunk of regional airplay in Canada — despite the fact that it lacked the familiarity and emotional investment listeners had with Snoopy.
Fortunately, the proper characters were ultimately reinstated to the song, and the original version was sent out on the airwaves.
“Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” was a huge hit for the Royal Guardsmen, climbing to #2 in the US, #8 in the UK, and #1 in Canada, where its alternative version had been previously released. It also gave the Guardsmen a template for their career: they followed up “Snoopy” with “The Return of the Red Baron,” another major hit.
Two further songs continued the story of the cartoon beagle: 1967’s “Snoopy’s Christmas” and 1968’s “Snoopy for President,” both of which had seasonal gimmicks on top of the Peanuts gimmick. The Royal Guardsmen had become so firmly associated with the saga that the titles of all four of their LPs referenced Snoopy and/or the Red Baron.
The problem with gimmicks, however, is that while they can attract attention, they can also dominate your career. Once the gimmick wears thin, you either need to change paths or find a new gimmick.
The only hit single the Royal Guardsmen had that didn’t reference Snoopy was a reissue of “Baby Let’s Wait” in 1968, which grazed the US Top 40. After one more single, 1969’s “Magic Window,” the Guardsmen split.
But while having a gimmick may not be the best option for career longevity or versatility, it can prove surprisingly enduring. Even listeners who’ve never heard of the Royal Guardsmen may know “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” or “Snoopy’s Christmas,” especially given their kid-friendly appeal.
It seems inevitable, then, that after decades of inactivity, the Guardsmen would reunite in 2006 to continue the saga with “Snoopy vs. Osama.” Sure, it lacks the charm of the original, but you can’t say the Royal Guardsmen don’t have the market cornered on songs about a comic strip dog fighting real-life baddies.
It Was 50 Years Ago Today examines a song, album, movie, or book that was #1 on the charts exactly half a century ago.
