Baccara

Baccara is a Spanish female vocal duo from Madrid, active from 1977 to 1981 in its original form. The group’s original lineup consists of Mayte Mateos and María Mendiola; Jane Comerford is also listed among the members in the provided facts. Baccara develops from a performance partnership formed by Mateos and Mendiola, who meet while working with Spanish Television’s Ballet Company. Before the duo takes the Baccara name, they perform as Venus and begin as singers and dancers in a variety-style act.

Formation and early work

Mayte Mateos graduates as a teacher from the Royal Spanish Academy for Arts, Drama and Dance in Madrid before joining the ballet company. The two women leave that company together in 1976 and relocate first in search of work, including time in the Canary Islands, where they perform adapted Spanish music and dance for international visitors. While performing at the Tres Islas Hotel in Fuerteventura, they are noticed by Leon Deane, the manager of RCA’s German subsidiary, who arranges for them to meet producer and composer Rolf Soja in Hamburg. Soja becomes the main architect of the Baccara style and recruits the instrumental backing for the act.

Style and recordings

Baccara’s music combines pop and disco, with English-language lyrics delivered in a marked Spanish accent. Most of the group’s recordings are in English, but they also record in Spanish, German and French, and some songs appear in multiple language versions. Their stage image is defined by two women dancing in contrasting black-and-white costumes, and Soja generally uses Mateos as the lead voice while Mendiola sings backing parts and refrains. The group’s sound draws lightly on flamenco and Spanish song and dance while remaining rooted in 1970s disco.

Major songs and releases

Baccara’s best-known single is “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”, written by Soja and Frank Dostal and recorded in Holland. It becomes a major pan-European hit in 1977, reaching number one in several countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Israel and Switzerland, and number three in France. It sells more than 16 million copies and appears in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-selling female musical group at the time. Another major hit, “Sorry, I’m a Lady”, also reaches number one in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and enters the top ten in the UK, Sweden and Switzerland.

The group’s self-titled debut album is released in 1977, followed by Light My Fire in 1978, Colours in 1979 and Bad Boys in 1981. Other notable singles include “Parlez-Vous Français?”, “The Devil Sent You to Lorado”, “Somewhere in Paradise”, “Sleepy-Time-Toy” and “Colorado”. “Parlez-Vous Français?” is Luxembourg’s entry for the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest, where Baccara finish seventh. “The Devil Sent You to Lorado” is issued with a Spanish-language version, “El diablo te mandó a Laredo”. “Eins plus eins ist eins” is released in connection with the United Nations International Year of the Child. The final album, Bad Boys, is recorded without Soja and Dostal and is not released in the UK or US.

Competitions, television and recognition

In 1977 Baccara represent West Germany at the World Popular Song Festival with “Mad In Madrid”, finishing 14th. The duo also make repeated television appearances, including weekly guest spots on Sacha Distel’s show in the UK and on Musikladen in Germany. In 1978 they receive the Bambi prize in Germany. Their live and television profile helps them build a substantial following in Germany and across Scandinavia, while their Spanish-flavoured disco also brings attention in Japan and Russia.

Later years

In 1980 disagreement over the vocal mix of “Sleepy-Time-Toy” leads to legal action by Mendiola against RCA, and a Munich court hearing results in 250,000 records being recalled. The dispute damages the partnership, and after RCA declines to renew the contract in 1981, Mateos and Mendiola end their professional partnership and pursue solo work. Both later form new versions of Baccara with other singers, and the name continues in revised line-ups beyond the original duo.