Doctor & The Medics

Best known for their cover version of Norman Greenbaum's 1969 hit Spirit In The Sky, London based Doctor and The Medics enjoyed a surprise novelty hit reaching number one in 18 countries and selling over 2.5 million copies, comfortably outselling the original. Prior to the release of the song in 1986 Doctor and The Medics had enjoyed modest success with another cover version: Silver Machine; their version of Hawkwind's classic anthem reached number two in the Indie Charts. Whilst the band's creditable versions of these two classic rock songs undoubtedly launched them as an international act, the success of Spirit In The Sky indelibly tagged the band as a novelty covers act overshadowing their efforts to produce original material. During their ten year recording career they released just four studio albums - their debut album Laughing At The Pieces being the only one to enter the charts. The album's sales were no doubt buoyed by the success of Spirit In The Sky, the opening track on side two. The band continue to appear live performing a pastiche of glam/ psychedelia often appearing on retro themed TV shows.