Dr. Marvello

Album: Klaatu (3:47 EST) (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When Klaatu's producer, Terry Brown, was pitching the band to Frank Davies of Daffodil Records, the first song Brown played for him was "Dr. Marvello." The song has several versions, each featuring different vocal stylings for the chorus. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Terry - St. Johns, Canada

Comments: 2

  • Okbdc from Earth"Hope" is still one of the greatest albums of all times.
    Not sure if it is my memory, related events, or simply the quality of the songs and recording.
    If you have not heard "Hope" with headphones or REALLY fargin' loud, please do.
  • Groovus Maximus from Boston, MaMy older brother got me into Klaatu in 1976, and we listened to their first 2 albums on the regular for years afterward... What a tragically underrated debut & follow-up! Their subsequent albums were strictly bargain-bin fodder (except for the fact that, as super-rare imports, a premium had to be paid to obtain them here in the States!), and I've rarely been more disappointed than when I heard anything they recorded after 1977. That being said, "Dr. Marvello" and really, all the other tracks on "Klaatu," was just magic, a mighty musical masterpiece of monstrous proportions. If this could possibly have been the oft-rumored Beatles reunion (and quite a few of their songs absolutely resembled the Fab Four in so many ways), then "Marvello" would have featured George Harrison on vocals, with a "Magical Mystery Tour" - era trumpet fanfare and slippery, shimmering production that would make even George Martin proud! Interesting to note that Terry Brown, longtime RUSH producer, manned the knobs for this and the follow-up, 1977's "Hope" (stunningly brilliant in its own way, with epic pieces and full symphonic orchestration). "Sub-Rosa Subway," side one's closer (this was released first on LP, of course!), had a distinctly McCartney-esque tone & feel, with more superb trumpet work and jolly, jaunty music hall type of piano in parts combined with more serious and grounded string arrangements and a bass line sounding like Paul at his inventive, level best. Well worth checking out, and just KILLER headphone music, trust me!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.