In 1958 they added Ove Johansson (drums) (30 March 1940 - 8 April 2017[2]), changed their name to "The Frazers", and began playing regularly in local clubs.
They signed a recording contract in 1961, and changed their name to "The Spotnicks",[3] a play on the Russian satellite Sputnik as suggested by their manager, Roland Ferneborg.
They toured Europe, and one of their early records, "Orange Blossom Special", became their first big international hit, making the Top 30 in the UK Singles Chart in 1962 on the Oriole label,[4] and reaching No.
The Spotnicks achieved huge success in Japan, Europe, Australia and Latin America where they became The Shadows' biggest rivals in instrumental music.
[3] That year, drummer Ove Johansson left and was replaced by an Englishman, Derek Skinner (born 5 March 1942, London).
Two years later, Skinner was replaced briefly by Jimmie Nicol, who had drummed with The Beatles on the Danish, Dutch and Australian legs of their 1964 tour, while Ringo Starr recovered from having his tonsils removed.
[6] Winberg continued to lead versions of The Spotnicks, occasionally including Lander and/or Thelin, on tour and in recordings.