Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs

Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs were an English novelty band that issued a few recordings in the early 1970s.

Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs was a band name created to promote the hit single "Seaside Shuffle". The name was not a reference to any particular band member, but was a pun on the name of the Jurassic flying reptile pterodactyl. Notable band members were Jona Lewie (composer/vocals/accordion) and Keef Trouble (percussion).

Recordings

The three Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs' single record releases were "Seaside Shuffle" (1972), "On a Saturday Night" and "She Left; I Died" (both 1973). "Seaside Shuffle and its B-side "Ball and Chain" were both written by John Lewis (aka Jona Lewie).

In 1972, the band's record label Sonet released "Seaside Shuffle" with the marketing and distribution aid of Jonathan King's UK label. The song reached #2 in the UK singles chart.^[1] "On a Saturday Night" didn't achieve the same popularity, just making the Top 50. The final single, "She Left; I Died" did not chart. After this last release the band split up, consigning it to perennial one-hit wonder status. Subsequently, band members returned to performing as Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts, except for Jona Lewie, who developed a solo career.

In 1977 the single "Come Away" was released by 'Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs with Jona Lewie'.^[2]

Single discography

• "Seaside Shuffle" b/w "Ball And Chain" (1972) - UK Records: ZXDR 51591/2 UK-R5 - UK #2
• "On A Saturday Night" b/w "Going Round The World" (1973) - UK Records - UK #45
• "She Left; I Died" b/w "Too Self Centred" (1973)
• "Come Away" b/w "Cherry Ring" (1977) - Sonet Records: SON 2115.

References