Taco: The Swing Revivalist Behind a Global Disco Hit

Taco Ockerse, known mononymously as Taco, is a Dutch-born singer and entertainer who carved a unique niche in the early 1980s music scene. His international breakthrough came with the 1982 disco-swing hybrid Puttin' On the Ritz, a track that sold over two million copies globally and reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Early career

Born in 1955 in Jakarta, Indonesia, of Dutch parents, Taco Ockerse moved to Germany as a child. His early career was rooted in musical theater, including a role in the German production of Hair. This stage experience honed his performance skills and led to his first foray into recording, culminating in his 1979 debut single, Try to Find Me.

Breakthrough

Taco's major breakthrough arrived in 1982 with his album After Eight, released on the RCA/Telefunken label. The album's lead single was a synth-pop reimagining of Irving Berlin's classic Puttin' On the Ritz. The song's innovative music video, featuring Taco's distinctive choreography, received heavy rotation on MTV, propelling it to multi-platinum status and top-five chart positions in multiple countries.

Key tracks

Puttin' On the Ritz — This 1982 cover is his signature hit, defining his career with its fusion of big band swing and contemporary electronic production.

Singin' in the Rain — Another classic Hollywood cover from the After Eight album, it followed a similar formula and became a secondary hit in several markets.

Got to Be Your Lover — An original track from his debut album, showcasing his own songwriting and a smoother pop-disco style.

After Eight — The title track of his breakthrough album highlighted his ability to craft original material with a nostalgic, cabaret-inspired feel.

Following the whirlwind success of After Eight, Taco released the album Let's Face the Music in 1984, which included the single Livin' in My Dreamworld. While he continued to perform and record, including later work for the German market, the massive global impact of his 1982 hit defined his legacy. Taco's work is often associated with the brief "swing revival" trend in early-80s pop and remains a staple of 80s nostalgia compilations.

Fans of Taco's eclectic blend of classic pop and modern rhythms may also enjoy the music of Robbie Williams, who similarly incorporated swing and big band elements into his pop albums. The theatrical flair can be heard in the work of Adam Ant, another artist known for a highly stylized visual and musical presentation. For the Dutch pop perspective, explore Golden Earring, a long-standing rock act from the Netherlands. The genre-blending approach is also evident in the music of Kid Creole And The Coconuts, who mixed disco, Latin, and big band sounds.

Taco's infectious hit Puttin' On the Ritz maintains a strong presence on classic hits and 80s-focused FM stations, ensuring his music reaches new generations of listeners. Online radio streams dedicated to retro pop and dance music frequently feature his catalog, celebrating his unique contribution to the era's sonic landscape.

The music of Taco, the Dutch artist who masterfully blended swing with 80s synth-pop, can be heard on various radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or enjoy his timeless tracks through the classic hits and specialty genre stations available on onairium.com.