Ottawan are the pop music duo behind the incredible singles ‘D.I.S.C.O.’ and ‘Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)’, released in the 80s to international acclaim. Founded by record producers Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger and fronted by Carribean-born singers Patrick Jean-Baptiste and Annette Eltice, Ottawan shot to fame in the early 80’s with several highly successful single releases.
Their debut single ‘D.I.S.C.O.’ was a UK Top 10 hit, narrowly missing out on the No. 1 spot, but remaining in the chart for 18 weeks and earning top spots in several other European countries. Follow-up single ‘Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)’ had similar success, reaching No. 3 in the UK, and their third single ‘T’es OK’ – taken from the 1980 debut album D.I.S.C.O. – made waves in France, where it remains one of the Top 50 best-selling singles of all time. These iconic pop tracks have inspired countless artists to produce their own versions: Sway, Hype, Army Of Lovers and The Young Professionals have all had chart success with covers of Ottawan’s singles.
Shortly after the release of their second album, Jean-Baptiste left the group, replaced by C. Robert Walker. The band have continued to tour with this line-up, delighting audiences worldwide with spirited renditions of classic hits that remain popular today. 56