Rockets

The Profile

Rockets covers two distinct, publicly documented bands: the French space‑rock/electronic outfit known for silver makeup, lasers and vocoders, and the Detroit hard‑rock group centered on guitarist Jim McCarty and drummer‑singer John Badanjek. Both were active mainly from the late 1970s to early 1980s and are well represented in DeBaser’s reviews.

Detroit Rockets (1977–1983): Jim McCarty (guitar; ex‑Cactus), John Badanjek (drums/vox), David Gilbert (vocals), Dennis Robbins (guitar). Style: hard/blues rock’n’roll; notable covers include Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” Lou Reed’s “Sally Can’t Dance,” and the Parliaments’ “(I Wanna) Testify.” French Rockets/Les Rockets (late ’70s–early ’80s): Christian Le Bartz (frontman/vocals, image), Gérard L’Her (bass/voice, lyrics), Alain Maratrat (guitar/keys, main composer), Fabrice Quagliotti (keys), Alain Groetzinger (drums). Style: space rock/electronic with vocoder, lasers, sci‑fi themes; big following in Italy.

On DeBaser, “Rockets” means two very different groups: the French silver‑faced space‑rock/electro act and the Detroit hard‑rockers. Reviews highlight iconic tracks like On the Road Again and sturdy riffers like Rocket Roll. Themes span vocoders, lasers and sci‑fi to Chuck Berry‑fueled rock’n’roll. Overall tone: respectful, mildly critical, often affectionate.