Signs

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO spinning some righteous vibes to keep your spirit soaring! We’re grooving to “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band from their 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies. This protest anthem, with its unforgettable line “Long-haired freaky people need not apply,” hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 in Canada, selling over a million copies, as noted on Songfacts. Frontman Les Emmerson wrote it while cruising Route 66, annoyed by billboards blocking the scenery, as he told Do You Remember. Originally the B-side to “Hello Melinda Goodbye,” it exploded in ’71 when Lionel Records flipped it to the A-side, according to Best Classic Bands. Fans on the band’s X account love its rebellious spirit, and one Zoo Freak in the Five Man Electrical Band Fans Facebook group shared a story about blasting it at a ’72 protest rally, with everyone singing along. Tesla’s 1990 acoustic cover, from their Five Man Acoustical Jam album, hit No. 8 on the Hot 100, giving the song new life, as per SecondHandSongs. What a trip!

More far-out trivia about “Signs” — the original album cover caused a stir with a marijuana plant image, forcing a reissue with a tamer design, as mentioned on Discogs. Emmerson’s lyrics, railing against arbitrary rules like “No shirt, no shoes, no service,” spoke to the counterculture, and fans on RocknRollWithMe call it a “hippie anthem” for the disenfranchised. A post on X from a fan recalls hearing it on AM radio in ’71, feeling like it was a middle finger to “the man.” The song’s been sampled by Fatboy Slim for his 2004 track “Don’t Let The Man Get You Down,” and even inspired the name of Tesla’s acoustic album as a nod to the band, per PowerPop. The Five Man Electrical Band Fan Club site shares stories of fans making their own “little signs” at concerts, mimicking the song’s defiant DIY vibe. Got a “Signs” memory, Zoo Freaks? Let’s hear it!

So, how did Five Man Electrical Band get their start? Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, they began in 1963 as The Staccatos, with Dean Hagopian (vocals), Vern Craig (guitar), Brian Rading (bass), and Rick Bell (drums). Les Emmerson joined as vocalist and guitarist, taking over songwriting, as noted on Psychedelicized. After a 1965 hit with “Small Town Girl” on Capitol Records, they scored big with “Half Past Midnight” in ’66, reaching No. 8 in Canada. By ’69, they rebranded as Five Man Electrical Band, inspired by Rading’s suggestion, and signed with MGM Records. Their 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies followed a stint with Capitol, but MGM dropped them after a single flopped. Lionel Records picked them up, leading to “Signs” becoming a global hit, as per Wikipedia. The band, with Emmerson, Ted Gerow (keyboards), Rading, Rick Bell, and Mike Bell (drums), kept rocking Canada with hits like “Absolutely Right” (No. 26 US), but disbanded in ’75 after lineup changes, with Emmerson later reforming it in ’86 for festivals.

Wanna keep the Five Man Electrical Band groove alive? Visit their official website for news, merch, and updates on Emmerson’s legacy (sadly, he passed in 2021). They’re on Facebook and Instagram, sharing vintage photos and clips from their ’70s heyday. Check out their X account for fan love and memories of epic shows like their 1972 American Bandstand performance. For more community vibes, join the Five Man Electrical Band Fans Facebook group or swing by the Five Man Electrical Band Fan Club site, where fans trade stories, rare vinyl finds, and tributes to classics like “Werewolf.” Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the long-haired freaky spirit burning!