Showaddywaddy - hey Rock n Roll

Showaddywaddy
hey Rock n Roll
Hailing from Leicester Showaddywaddy were formed in 1973 they were originally 2 separate bands, 'Choise' and 'Golden Hammers'. 'Choise' wrote and performed original material and consisted of Dave Bartram, Trevor Oakes, Al James and Romeo Challenger. While 'The Hammers' were a covers band and consisted of Buddy Gask, Russ Field, Rod Deas and Malcolm Allured.
Both bands played at the Fosseway pub in Leicester and soon discovered they liked each other's music. After a few jamming sessions, an idea appeared that they join together permanently and Showaddywaddy was born.
In 1973, Showaddywaddy were asked if they wanted to be on TV on a new TV talent show called "New Faces". They said yes and won the episode they appeared on . They were also runners-up in the "All Winners Final". This led to various record companies racing to sign them up. However they had already signed to Bell Records, who incidentally had The Bay City Rollers and Gary Glitter under their wing..

The band's first single, 'Hey Rock And Roll' was released in April 1974 and roared to number two in the UK charts.
The first few singles were all written by the band and most reached the top-20. Two cover versions, 'Three Steps To Heaven' and 'Heartbeat' were released in 1975. These both reached the top ten. Showaddywaddy then reverted back to their own material. However, these failed to reach the top-10, so they returned to doing cover-versions and immediately re- entered the top-10 once more.

The original line-up of Rod Deas (bass), Trevor Oakes (guitar), Al James (bass), Buddy Gask (vocals), Russ Field (guitar), Dave Bartram (vocals). Malcolm Allured (drums), Romeo Challenger (drums). It was this combination of instrument players - ie two of everything - Showaddywaddy had great flexibility on stage with four or five members playing the instruments and the others doing the dance routines, A format which became their trade mark! Malcolm Allured left the band in 1984, followed by Russ Field in 1985, and Buddy Gask departed in 1987. Buddy sadly passed away in 2011.

From 1987 to 2008 the line up consisted of five of the original eight members: Dave, Trevor, Al, Rod and Romeo, along with Ray Martinez on lead guitar (1985 to 1995) and Danny Willson on lead guitar (1995 to 2009). Al James and Trevor Oakes retired from the band in December 2008, and were replaced by Paul Dixon and Dave Graham, and Danny Willson left in 2009………….fast forward to 2010, the line up then consisted of three of the original 8 members - Bartram, Deas and Challenger. In the Autumn of 2011, Dave Bartram announced his retirement from the band, and played his last gig on 3rd December 2011. Dave still is very hands on as he continues to manage the band.
The Showaddywaddy line up of today went on the road in January 2012 - Romeo Challenger and Rod Deas being joined by Andy Pelos (lead vocals), Dean Loach (keyboards, guitar), and Rob Hewins (drums, guitar, vocals), along with Paul Dixon (guitar, vocals). And the lads still have audiences today rockin n rolling in the isle's.