The Royal Guardsmen The Royal Guardsmen were an American garage-rock band from Ocala, Florida, formed in 1966 by high school friends including John Burdett (vocals), Bill Balcke (guitar), Tom Richards (guitar), Kris Roe (bass), and John “Bo” Walker (drums). Signed to Laurie Records, they specialized in novelty rock with Snoopy-themed songs inspired by the Peanuts comic strip. Their breakthrough was “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” (1966, No. 2 Hot 100), a catchy, bubblegum track that sold millions and sparked a series: “The Return of the Red Baron,” “Snoopy’s Christmas” (holiday classic), and “Snoopy for President.” The playful, war-themed lyrics (Vietnam-era satire) blended surf/garage energy with humor. Hits faded by the late 1960s; the band disbanded in the 1970s. Sporadic reunions occurred for nostalgia tours. As of 2026, no major active touring lineup is widely reported (some sources list occasional or tribute-style gigs, but primary activity has waned). Their Snoopy songs endure as whimsical 1960s novelties on oldies and holiday playlists, capturing the era’s fun, cartoon-inspired rock.