Goldbug (band)

{{Short description|1990s British pop band}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}

Goldbug were a British pop band in the 1990s. The band were formed in

London and Brighton in 1995{{cite book|first=Dylan|last=Jones|year=1997|publisher=Universe|title=Ultra lounge: the lexicon of easy listening|page=25|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLk4AQAAIAAJ&q=%22goldbug%22+%22whole+lotta+love%22|isbn=978-0-7893-0095-9}} by a former member of the Beatmasters,{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,402277,00.html#bio|title=Artist Direct Profile|accessdate=2 September 2011|archive-date=1 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101161616/http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,402277,00.html#bio|url-status=dead}} Richard Walmsley,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/goldbug/2913|title=Acid Jazz & Goldbug in court over Led Zep cover|publisher=NME|date=20 March 2000|accessdate=2 September 2011}} drummer Tony Horkins and DJ Adil Magik, with a session vocalist, Sandy McKenzie, who was recruited through an advertisement in Melody Maker.{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2421564.chart_singer_left_penniless/|last=Williams|first=Amanda|title=Chart singer left penniless|publisher=Oxford Mail|date=9 August 2008|accessdate=2 September 2011}}

Goldbug are best remembered for their UK hit single with a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", also sampling "Asteroid" (the Pearl & Dean theme tune),{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jun/28/newmedia.advertising1?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Pearl & Dean's theme tune remixed for the digital age|work=The Guardian|last=Day|first=Julia|date=28 June 2006|accessdate=2 September 2011}} and released on 15 January 1996{{cite news|url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A72174389/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=80a3aa04|title=Pa-paa pa-paa poptastic!; Style|last=Margolis|first=Jonathan|date=4 February 1996|work=Sunday Times|publisher=Academic OneFile|page=12|accessdate=12 February 2018}} on the Acid Jazz label.{{cite web|url=http://www.chartwatch.co.uk/TopTen/acts/ACT00869.htm|title=Goldbug: UK Top 10 hits|date=25 August 2006|accessdate=2 September 2011|publisher=Chartwatch}} "Whole Lotta Love" was played heavily by Chris Evans on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, and the track entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 January 1996 at number 3, and stayed in the charts for 5 weeks. It hit the number one spot on the ITV chart, Dance chart and Indie chart.{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 230}} The band made their sole appearance on Top of the Pops on 25 January 1996, performing the song with replacement singer, Katherine Ellis. Katherine Ellis was later replaced with vocalist Shari Mjoh (called Sharona in the band) who recorded a string of songs with the band including lead vocals on their sole follow-up single, "Real Hip Mary", which was released by EMI.

After many live shows, a showcase and performing ‘Real Hip Mary' on British television Shari was invited into the EMI offices and offered a recording contract as a solo artist by then MD of EMI Records Clive Black. Although Shari didn’t take full advantage of the offer due to a lack of guidance and misplaced loyalty to the band she has continued to work successfully in the industry as a vocalist, songwriter and EDM producer. She is currently set to release her single ‘Danger Zone’ with iKan Recordings.

Tony Horkins and Adil Magik left the band after contractual issues with Walmsley at the end of 1996. Their sole follow-up single, "Real Hip Mary", was released by EMI but failed to reach the top 75 in 1997.{{cite web|url=http://obscuremusicandfootball.com/2010/03/07/random-music-reviews-4-whole-lotta-love-by-goldbug-1996/|title=Random music reviews #4: 'Whole Lotta Love' by Goldbug (1996)|publisher=Obscure Music|date=7 March 2010|accessdate=2 September 2011}}

In 2000, Walmsley sued Acid Jazz over unpaid royalties relating to the "Whole Lotta Love" single. He was successful, receiving many thousands of pounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=4928§ioncode=1|title=Gina G ex-label boss hit by legal bill|publisher=Music Week|date=3 April 2000|accessdate=2 September 2011}} Due to the royalty disputes, McKenzie received no money from the band's short existence.

Former lead vocalist McKenzie experienced much hardship after the dissolution of the band, having almost died due to a severe assault, and experiencing homelessness. Her attacker is now in prison.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/former-pop-star-sandra-mckenzie-26575278|title=Former pop star Sandra McKenzie 'stabbed 49 times' by convicted wife killer neighbour|last=Wilson|first=Emma|date=21 March 2022|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=19 February 2022}}