Pan's People

Pan's People

Pan's People are a British all-girl dance troupe best known for regular appearances on the music television programme Top of the Pops. The group is active from 1966 to 1976, and it becomes one of the best-known dance acts on British television during that period.

Television work

The act makes its debut performance in 1968, replacing the go-go dancing group The Go-Jos on Top of the Pops. The troupe goes through several line-ups over the years it appears on the show. Founding member Felicity “Flick” Colby later becomes the group’s official choreographer in 1971.

Recording activity

In 1974, Pan's People record a one-off single, “You Can Really Rock'n'Roll Me”, backed with a cover of the Rolling Stones song “The Singer, Not the Song”. Mike Batt produces the record, and Chris Spedding contributes guitar work as a long-time friend and collaborator. Cherry Gillespie sings most of the vocals. The single is released on Epic Records and uses a radio-friendly pop-rock sound with orchestral backing, but it does not become a hit despite promotion.

Later history and significance

The group’s last appearance is in 1977, after which it is replaced on Top of the Pops by Legs & Co. Pan's People are described as the first British girl dance act to record a single, predating later acts such as Bananarama and the Spice Girls.