Sixty years ago this week, a song that began as a classroom sketch in St. Petersburg’s Stetson College of Law exploded onto the national scene. “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron,” recorded by the Royal Guardsmen, sold a million copies before Thanksgiving 1966 and climbed to No. 2 on the charts.
From a law class to a chart‑topping novelty
Phil Gernhard, a Sarasota native then studying law in St. Petersburg, remembered the popular World War I ace Manfred von Richthofen from a song by Louisiana songwriter Dick Holler. While in class he jotted down Holler’s lyrics and added verses about Charles M. Schulz’s beloved beagle, Snoopy. The result was a tongue‑in‑cheek “bubblegum” pop tune that Gernhard pitched to local bands.
The Royal Guardsmen, a group of teenage musicians from Ocala, initially dismissed the idea. Singer Chris Nunley recalled, “We didn’t much like the song. We thought it would be too corny.” Yet Gernhard’s persistence paid off. He drove three hours from St. Pete to Ocala, convinced the band to give the song a simple three‑chord, military‑snare arrangement, and booked studio time at Charles Fuller Studios on MacDill Avenue in Tampa.
Legal hurdles and a clever workaround
Because Snoopy was a copyrighted character, Gernhard sent a flattering letter to Charles Schulz seeking permission. When no reply arrived, the team recorded a backup version titled “Squeaky vs. the Black Knight,” substituting a beaver for the beagle. The alternate track was released in Canada and a few northern states, but it failed to gain traction.
Undeterred, Gernhard released the original “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” on Laurie Records (catalog 3366). According to Billboard’s December 10, 1966 “Top 60 Spotlight,” the record was a “tongue‑in‑cheek rocker” with a solid rhythm dance beat.
Schulz’s eventual blessing and worldwide success
Legend says a friend of Schulz eventually mentioned the song, prompting the cartoonist to learn of the record. Gernhard flew to California, negotiated a deal that gave Schulz a larger share of each single sold than the producer, writers, or musicians, and secured permission for future sequels.
The single topped charts in Australia, New Zealand and several other countries, only missing the U.S. No. 1 spot because of competition from the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” Its success allowed Gernhard to leave law school, open a production office in St. Petersburg, and hire Dick Holler as a songwriter‑in‑residence.
Legacy in St. Petersburg
The Royal Guardsmen toured the nation, released a cash‑in album, and followed up with sequels such as “Return of the Red Baron,” “Snoopy’s Christmas,” and “Snoopy for President.” While later releases saw diminishing sales, the original hit remains a point of pride for St. Petersburg’s music heritage.
Today, local historians and music lovers recall the story as a reminder of how a small‑town law student’s enthusiasm helped launch a novelty song that captured the imagination of a generation. The tale underscores St. Petersburg’s long‑standing role as a breeding ground for creative talent, from garage bands to chart‑topping hits.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
