Sagittarius (Latin plural and genitive Sagittarii) may refer to:

Sagittarius was an American sunshine pop studio group formed in the late-1960s and, devised by the record producer and songwriter, Gary Usher.

History

Usher had been involved with music as a songwriter since the early 1960s (including writing lyrics for some of Brian Wilson's earliest songs), and soon branched out into production work. After considerable success as a producer, he eventually became a staff producer for Columbia Records. It was at this position that, during 1967, he produced Chad & Jeremy. They had played him several songs, which he felt lacked any commercial potential. He had heard a demo around that time for a song called "My World Fell Down" (also recorded by the British pop group The Ivy League), and he played it for them, thinking that it was a sure-fire hit. They balked at the idea of covering the song, and Usher felt that he would do it himself.

He brought in Los Angeles session musicians, as well as drafting friends such as Beach Boys touring alumni Glen Campbell (who did the lead vocal on the track) and Bruce Johnston and singer-turned-producer Terry Melcher for vocals. He finished the recording by adding a musique concrète bridge. He presented it to Columbia executives under the group name Sagittarius, named after his astrological sun sign.

Sagittarius (♐) (Greek: Τοξότης Toxotes, Latin: Sagittarius) is the ninth astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Sagittarius and spans 240–270th degrees of the zodiac. Under the tropical zodiac, sun transits this sign between November 21 and December 20. The symbol of the archer is based on the centaur Chiron, who mentored Achilles in archery.

Sagittarius, half human and half-horse, is the centaur of mythology, the learned healer who forms a bridge between earth and Heaven. Also known as the Archer, Sagittarius is represented by the symbol of a bow and arrow.

Gallery

Sagittarius as depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders

Sagittarius as depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders

Sagittarius - The Centaur, detail from the Horoscope from 'The book of birth of Iskandar"

Sagittarius - The Centaur, detail from the Horoscope from 'The book of birth of Iskandar"

Sagittarius from a 1512 German woodcut