By Derek Mead
The group was originally called the Troglodytes but no one lived in a cave so they sensibly reduced the name and became an English garage rock band, later pop-rock and proto-punk.
Formed in Andover, Hampshire where they lived and worked as skilled craftsmen on building sites, in May 1964, they enjoyed hits in the UK and the US, with their active years from 1964 onwards. Their labels were Fontana – Page One – Penny Farthing Rosa Hornung.
It is true to say they produced famous and impressive songs – ‘Wild Thing’ which topped the US charts – ‘With a Girl Like You’, then ‘Love Is All Around’ with all three selling more than a million copies and awarded gold discs. In the early 1960s, Reg Presley (vocals) and Ronnie Bond (drums) were friends forming an R&B band in Andover, and in 1964 they were joined by Pete Staples (bass) and Chris Britton (guitar) – the Troggs. Larry Page, manager of The Kinks signed them in 1965 and they were leased to CBS for their debut of the single ‘Lost Girl’ in 1965. Their most famous hit arrived the next year ‘Wild Thing’ by Chip Taylor, with ever-changing songs on the B-side in different countries. Helped by television exposure, the song reached No.2 in the UK and No.1 in the US in 1966. The teasing lyrics made it a garage rock benchmark. Recorded at London’s Olympic Studios it was released on both Fontana and Atco, and in the US success, but did the band did not tour there until 1968. Then came a sequence of singles — ‘With a Girl Like You’, No. 1 in the UK and N0.29 in the US – ‘I Can’t Control Myself, No. 2 in the UK released on Page One label – ‘Anyway That You Want Me’, No. 8 in the UK – ‘Give It To Me’, No. 12 in the UK – ‘Night of the Long Grass’, No. 17 in the UK – ‘Love Is All Around’, No.5 in the UK and No.7 in the US – then ‘Hi Hi Hazel’, No. 42 in the UK. In the following year, the popularity of the band almost completely failed and Pete Staples was replaced by Tony Murray (bass) in 1969 and Chris Britton was replaced by Richard Moore for the 1972-1973 tour. In 1974, attempting to repeat their successes of the 1960s, the band reformed with Larry Page, but the cover version of the Beach Boys ‘Good Vibrations’ could not chart.
Likewise, in 1975, a Reggae version of ‘Wild Thing’ failed again. Chris Britton quit music to manage a Spanish nightclub and was replaced by Richard Moore and Colin Fletcher for the recording of the 1976 ‘The Troggs Tapes’. Into the 1980s, the band released the ‘Black Bottom LP’ (1982) and ‘AU’ (1990) with the French Label ‘New Rose”. Next came a joint venture between the band and three members of R.E.M. in 1991, when they recorded ‘Athens Andover’ an 11-song venture recorded in Athens Georgia, and released in 1992. In 1989, the band attempted similar ventures- ‘Wild Thing 89’, ‘Don’t You Know’ 1992 – ‘Wild Thing’ with Oliver Reed also 1992 – ‘Wild Thing’ with Wolf 1993, No.69 in the UK for 15 weeks. Lastly, in 1994, there was a Wet Wet Wet cover of ‘Love Is All Around’, No.1 in the UK for 15 weeks, written by Reg Presley. Original drummer Ronnie Bond died on November 13, 1992. Reg Presley retired in January 2012 and died of lung cancer on February 4, 2013. The band continued with Chris Allen as their new lead singer. Richard Moore died in San Francisco on April 30, 2016, aged 65. The Troggs are accepted as being influential and inspiration for garage rock and punk rock and artists such as Iggy Pop. ‘I Can’t Control Myself’ is a critic’s favourite with its legacy and influence. The Jimi Hendrix Experience covered ‘Wild Thing’ at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival calling it the British/American “national anthem” and in 2014, the song was again covered at the ‘Wildlife Rocks’ Guildford Cathedral’ event featuring Brian May of Queen. Later on, the band became good friends with R.E.M.
‘The Troggs Tapes’ became popular when a recording session provided a commentary by Reg Presley, including in-fighting and many other inspirational words, which was much circulated. The Troggs will always be remembered for ‘Wild Thing’, a 60s anthem, and also for their many UK hits and many have named them the first British punk band with their highly-individual style, but more importantly, for good basic rock music. However, some of their recordings were judged too suggestive for certain age groups, although this is difficult to accept. Chris Allen has, of course, taken over from Reg Presley and the band’s popularity has never failed, with them being in high demand throughout Europe, and the festivals they headline still attract thousands, including those who have followed them for many years and those of the younger generation who consider them to be a ‘cult’ band with some 26 years of Troggs music. Reg Presley was extremely popular in the early years, particularly with the local public. He had a proper day job as a bricklayer before becoming the lead singer and frontman with great success. He also ventured into acting with parts on both big and small screens, and with many cameo roles, and he left behind an interesting life and a legacy of popular and memorable music.
The Heritage Foundation created a plaque in Andover – REG PRESLEY 1941-2013 – Singer/Songwriter THE TROGGS performed here 1964-1965.