Robots in a Gondola (70's/80's) Anybody Remember the them?

[Vandark]

In the late 70's early 80's I recall a band of orchestral musicians, who used to perform as blank faced robots, dressed in 18th century clothing and sitting in a gondola boat.

The video to their orchestral disco tune, was a cartoon, showing a space ship rescuing venice from it's watery grave.

Anybody remember the name of the band/song?

This has been bugging me for a while now!

Thanks
Richard

[Popsicle]

It sounds like "La Serenissima (Venice in Peril)" by Rondo Veneziano. I have the album "La Serenissima" somewhere - nice piece of music! Great sleeve too.
I remember seeing the video on "The Chart Show" a few years ago, and was most intrigued by it.
I have heard it being used on TV shows as a theme tune ("Jimmy's"?) and as background music for various shows.
Rondo's version reached number 58 on the UK singles chart in 1983, whilst a version by dance duo DNA reached #34 in 1990.

You should be able to find a copy easy enough I think. My copy is on vinyl, and if I saw the CD version I would probably get a copy - there must be some Rondo albums around.

[Vandark]

Thanks!! That's Awesome! I knew somebody would remember tham!

After doing a little bit of research, i've found out that not only are they still recording albums, but still do live tours to this day!

The "Venice in Peril" CD is no longer out available, but a lot of their CD's are readily available, especially the newer ones.

I remember them preforming "Venice in Peril" live on Blue Peter once, dressed in the full robot gear and in the Gondola, like in the Cartoon video.

I was under the impression they always dressed like this, but apparently the robot look was just for the one Album, but they still wear the period costumes.

Thaks again for the help......I can rest again!!! I've got their Best of CD on order already!

[Popsicle]

Glad you found it.

It's a tune that still sounds good today, it's sort of haunting really.

Must dig out that old album.....

[Popsicle]

Just dug out my old "Venice in Peril" album today, and gave it a spin. I had forgotton how good the album is!
The sleeve notes say the following:

"Imagine, a distant future where man might have neglected one of the most beautiful cities in the world-Venice.
Italian classical music-but with a difference, has remained as an only reminder of the magic and romance of its ancient splendours.
What could happen to Venice is the story of Rondo Veneziano...."

Oh, it was "Hospital Watch" which used the tune as its theme music, not "Jimmy's" as I orginally thought. Well, I knew doctors and nurses were involved somewhere.....

[lk_ie]

Thank God! Someone else knows what I have been on to my friends about for years, I was beginning to think I had dreamt it as a child! "Robots playing baroque music on Pebble mill at one"...you can see why I was beginning to doubt my childhood on this one. At the time I thought "These robots are very swanky! nice tune"