Ricky Lancelotti (August 25, 1944 – April 7, 1980), also known as Rick Lancelot, was a singer best known for his work with
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American musician, composer, and bandleader. His work is characterized by wikt:nonconformity, nonconformity, Free improvisation, free-form improvisation, sound experimen ...
in 1973. Frank Zappa songs featuring Lancelotti's vocals can be found on the albums ''
Over-Nite Sensation'', ''
The Lost Episodes'' and ''
Läther''.
Background
Under the stage name of "Rick Lancelot", Lancelotti released several unsuccessful singles for
RCA Records in 1965 and 1966. Simultaneously, Lancelotti occasionally appeared on the
ABC-TV music series ''
Shindig'' as the show's "in-house" singer (usually spotlighting the heavier R&B hits of the day).
Lancelotti was featured as one of several uncredited lead vocalists on
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ) was an American animation studio and production company which was active from 1957 to 2001. It was founded on July 7, 1957, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera following the decision of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to c ...
's 1968–1970 children's program ''
The Banana Splits''. His vocal performances also appeared on the Splits' lone album ''We're the Banana Splits''; released by
Decca Records
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
in 1968. He also sang with the group Sky Oats, whose music was included in the 1970 surfing documentary ''
''.
Career
In 1964, the single " Sick Chick" / "Ain't That Soul" was released by Rick Lancelot and the Peppermint Sticks. Rick Lancelot was Ricky Lancelotti. The single was composed by himself and
Lolly Vegas.
He was briefly the lead singer of the band Wolfgang, which featured
Leland Sklar as their bass player. However they only ever recorded unreleased demo tracks.
Death
He died on April 7, 1980 at 35 years old.
[United Mutations â€]
ricky lancelotti
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lancelotti, Ricky
1980 deaths
1944 births
20th-century American singers
20th-century American male singers