Ottawan were a French disco duo in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Career
They were fronted by lead singer Jean Patrick (born 6 April 1954, Martinique) and Annette (born 1 November 1958), with Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger the main songwriters. They are best known for their two hit singles "D.I.S.C.O." and "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)". They also performed "Hello Rio" a song produced and written by Bobby Orlando, also known as Bobby O. He is more famous for founding The Fast later to be known as Man To Man, Divine, The Flirts and producing some early recordings with the Pet Shop Boys.
The band was originally founded by Kluger and Vangarde, the main producers of the Ottawan songs.[1] In the United Kingdom they had two Top 10 UK Singles Chart hits. "D.I.S.C.O.", the act's debut single, reached number two in September 1980; "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" peaked at number three nearly a year later.[2] "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" reached #1 in the New Zealand record chart during 1982, staying there for eight weeks.
In France, their single "You're OK" (French title "T'es OK") is one of the Top 50 best selling singles of all time.
Patrick quit the band and organized a new duo, Pam 'n Pat, with whom he scored another European dance hit, "To Be Superman" in 1982. Soon afterwards Patrick quit with that group and started his solo project, Ottman Jones, whilst Esther de Bijl continued Ottawan with a new singer, Robert Walker.
They are still touring the globe today.
Legacy
Songs "D.I.S.C.O.", "You're OK!" and "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" were also recorded in French, under the titles "D.I.S.C.O.", "T'es OK!" and "Haut Les Mains (Donne Moi Ton Coeur)". "You're OK" was copied in the 1982 Bollywood film, Disco Dancer as "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja Aaja". "Hands Up" was also parodied on Israeli sketch show Ha-Comedy Store.
Significant singles
- "D.I.S.C.O." - UK #2
- "You're OK" - UK #56
- "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" - UK #3
- "Help, Get Me Some Help!" - UK #49
References
- ^ Seventies Dance Music Page
- ^ Everyhit.com
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 412. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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