The Cougars

The Cougars were a short-lived band, formed in Bristol, England, in 1961. They specialised in rock music, mostly instrumental versions of pop and classical pieces.

Career
The band, comprising Keith Owen (lead guitar) (born 1942 died 2019), Dave Tanner (rhythm guitar) (born 1942), Adrian Morgan (bass guitar) (born 1943 died 7 December 2023) and Dave Hack (drums) (born 1940), signed a recording contract with Parlophone in 1963, after having been spotted at a talent contest by EMI's A&R man, Norrie Paramor.

Their single "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" used music from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The song achieved some notoriety for being banned by the BBC, despite which it spent eight weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 33. The reason for the ban was reported in the musical press, saying Saturday Nite At The Duck Pond was "a travesty of a major classical work". Their songs "Red Square" and "Caviare and Chips" also borrowed themes from Tchaikovsky. The Cougars' final session for Parlophone was on 16 December 1963, when they recorded "Caviare and Chips", "While The City Sleeps" and "Sausage Roll", although the latter track remains unreleased. After recording three singles and an EP, The Cougars disbanded in 1964.

"Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" is included in the anthology 20 One Hit Wonders, published on the label See For Miles and on EMI's Instrumental Greats Of The 60's (CDB 7 94226 2 - 1990). "Fly-By-Nite" is on Instrumental Diamonds - Jumpin (Sequel Records - NEXCD 149 - 1990).

Lead guitarist Keith Owen born 1942 died in 2019.

Bass guitarist Adrian Morgan born Adrian Jeffrey Morgan 1943, Newport, South Wales died on 7 December 2023, Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil, Somerset at the age of 80.

Singles

 * "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" / "See You in Dreamland" (February 1963) (Parlophone R 4989) - UK No. 33
 * "Red Square" / "Fly-By-Nite" (1963) (Parlophone R 5038)
 * "Caviare And Chips" / "While The City Sleeps" (1964) (Parlophone R 5115)
 * "Saturday Nite With The Cougars" (EP) (1963) (Parlophone GEP 8886)