Zoot (band)

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Zoot was an Australian pop‑rock band from Adelaide. They formed in 1964 as Down the Line and changed their name to Zoot in 1967. In 1968 they moved to Melbourne. They became known for bright pink outfits and the Think Pink gimmick, which drew attention but also mockery.

The band included Beeb Birtles on bass (who would later help form Little River Band) and Darryl Cotton on lead vocals. Guitarist Rick Springfield joined in 1969, with the lineup changing a few times after that.

Zoot released several singles, including You’d Better Get Goin’ Now and 1x2x3x4. Their debut album, Just Zoot, came out in July 1970 and reached No. 12 in Australia. In December 1970 they released a hard‑rock cover of The Beatles’ Eleanor Riggy, which became their biggest hit, peaking at No. 4 in March 1971 and staying on the charts for 20 weeks. They also released The Freak/Evil Child in 1971.

The group broke up in May 1971, due to visa issues and Springfield’s move toward a solo career. After the split, Birtles and Cotton formed Darryl and Beeb, then Frieze; Birtles later joined Mississippi and finally Little River Band in 1975. Springfield moved to the United States and found international fame.

Zoot briefly reformed for the Rick Springfield and Friends cruise in 2011. Darryl Cotton died in 2012 from liver cancer. In 2018 the band issued Archaeology, an anthology that included a new recording of Life in a Northern Town. There have been later reunion efforts and occasional releases.