Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band. 1983. Kenner.
Welcome to part 6 of TVTA’s series Never Mind The Adverts… Here Are The Toys.
In this edition we focus on the best (or 2nd best, depending on your stance) musical band to come out of the Star Wars original trilogy films:
Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band
Original concept artwork by Ralph McQuarrie.
US toy manufacturer Kenner released the Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band Action Figures in 1983 for their 3.75 inch action figure line. The characters are representative of the alien pop band hired by gangster Jabba the Hutt in the third instalment of the original Star Wars trilogy film Return of the Jedi. The set was also released for the European Trilogo line, and the Spanish Lili Ledy line.
Sy Snootles
Image Lucasfilm.
Singing from curling lips that sprout from the end of her long proboscis, with spindly legs and arms, could Sy Snootles be the galactic female equivalent of Mick Jagger?
There are barely a handful of female O/T Star Wars figures; luckily Sy Snootles attempts to make up for this by being one of the grooviest and most interesting-looking alien of the entire line!
Her action figure does her fine justice.
Max Rebo
Image Starwars.com
Max Rebo is the floppy-eared blue elephant-like keyboard player and leader of the Max Rebo Band. He comes from planet Orto, and his species is Ortolan. His piano is called a Red Ball Organ.
Droopy McCool
Image Starwars.com
Droopy McCool is a flute-playing Kitonak from planet Kirdo III.
This is the second Sy Snootles and the Rebo band I’ve owned. My first was a boxed Trilogo which I traded a while back for other Stars Wars stuff. Here are a couple of pics I saved.
I really love this set and wish that Kenner had also made some Biths for a cantina band play set. That would be some jam session putting both bands together!
As always, thanks for looking. Join us again soon for another Never Mind The Adverts!
Sources:
Star Wars The Essential Guide To Characters by Andy Mangels. Boxtree. 1996.
The Vintage Toy Advertiser 
Amazing! I fall in love in Max Rebo!
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Yes, a cool character with a cool band!
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Fantastic set. I love how you posed Sy Snootles with the microphone stand.
Unfortunately, the “current” version of this scene is one of the most cringe-worthy changes to Return of the Jedi.
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Thanks! You’re right. Although I respect Lucas as an artist and his right to ‘reimagine’ his work, it’s a huge let down to the originals. Can only hope that Disney reissue the original theatre releases as they were intended with no more tinkering other than a good clean up.
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I agree. I have no problem that George Lucas made various changes to suit himself, but I think he made a mistake by not preserving the original versions alongside his preferred versions. We shouldn’t have to keep wondering if this is finally the year they will get a proper release.
For instance, CBS’s Star Trek Blu-rays contain 2006-2007 computer-generated effects as well as original 1966-1969 effects. The viewer decides which to watch.
The Star Wars movies would undoubtedly require separate discs rather than seamless branching, due to the sheer amount of changes, but the concept is still the same — allow the viewers to choose.
As with Star Trek, I would watch both versions!
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Well said. Let the viewers choose. Lucas has done a disservice to some of his acting and production talent by replacing them with updates and not giving the chance for the originals to still shine. Just two example are the original voice actor for Boba Fett and the original actor who played Anakin.
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I loves me some Sy-Snootles and the Rebo Band! I know Gentle Giant released a sixth scale statue set a long time ago – before I started ever collecting things this/that expensive so I hope Sideshow or Hot Toys revisits. Same with Hasbro. I have the Rebo Band 2-Packs – but that included Special Edition bullshit. Who am I kidding? I should just shell out for an old retro set like this. Droopy McCool also smelled strong from what I recall.
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It’s a shame at the moment prices are so sky high for vintage Star Wars loose figures. Regarding the modern stuff I wouldn’t mind getting hold of some Sy Snootles and the Rebo band as they’re such a cool trio.
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What a great look at the Sy Snootles and the Rebo band set. I’ve heard about this set but never seen it, they look really good, can almost hear their music playing! 🙂
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Thanks! I was so pleased to get hold of this again, it’s a fun set.
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Its a great find, you are so lucky 🙂
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