The disco duet Ottawan was a brainchild of the French producer team Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger. Vangarde who also worked with the Gibson Brothers, La Compagnie Créole, Dalida and Sheila & B. Devotion, reportedly came up with the idea of the name on his way back from Canada. Ottawan's catchy debut single "D.I.S.C.O" was a massive dance hit around Europe in 1980 and even made it to number two in Great Britain, staying in the charts for 18 weeks. 1981's "Hands Up" was almost as successful, reaching number three in the UK and logging on the charts for 15 weeks.