It’s hard to believe but it is Showaddywaddy’s 40th anniversary this year. Showaddywaddy were formed in 1973 and if you have ever wondered why there are so many band members ( with the unusual line up of two vocalists, two drummers, two guitarists, and two bassists ), it is because they were formed through an amalgamation of two groups, Choise and the Golden Hammers, who both played at the Fosse Way pub in Leicester in the early 1970s.

Showaddywaddy’s big break came when they won the ATV talent show “New Faces” in November 1973 and were runners-up in the “All Winners Final”, which was broadcast on 28 December 1973. Within a few months Showaddywaddy had been signed to Bell Records and had a massive hit with their first single, “Hey Rock and Roll” in June 1974, which reached No2 in the UK Singles Chart. Showaddywaddy had an instant impact on Top of the Pops, with their unusual eight man line up dressed in brightly coloured teddy boy suits, bookended by two drummers.

Showaddywaddy essentially resurrected the Rock and Roll genre and introduced it to a new generation. Their first two hits “Hey Rock and Roll” and “Rock and Roll Lady” were written by the band, but subsequently the majority of their biggest hits were covers of Rock and Roll songs from the 1950s and the early 1960s. These cover versions included “Three Steps to Heaven” ( originally a hit for Eddie Cochran in 1960), “Heartbeat” ( originally written and recorded by Buddy Holly ) and of course their biggest hit “Under the Moon of Love” ( originally a US hit for Curtis Lee in 1961 ) which was to be Showaddywaddy’s only UK No1.

Although Showaddywaddy used the springboard of Glam Rock to launch themselves, they outlived the genre and continued to bring a splash of colour and fun to the backdrop of the drab and dour 1970s. Lest we forget how Showaddywaddy brightened up those grey days of industrial strikes and strife in 1970s Britain, here is the Record Press Top 10 Best Showaddywaddy Songs –

Top 10 Best Showaddywaddy Songs

1) Hey Rock and Roll ( No2 1974 )

2) Three Steps to Heaven ( No2 1975 )

3) Hey Mr. Christmas ( No13 1974 )

4) Heartbeat ( No7 1975 )

5) Rock ‘n’ Roll Lady ( No15 1974 )

6) Under the Moon of Love ( No1 1976 )

7) Dancin’ Party ( No4 1977 )

8) Sweet Little Rock ‘n’ Roller ( No15 1979 )

9) You Got What It Takes ( No2 1977 )

10) A Little Bit of Soap ( No5 1978 )

Let us know your favourite Showaddywaddy song in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate the music of Showaddywaddy in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Showaddywaddy song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque……   ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further information, plus other merchandise or memorabilia, go to the Showaddywaddy website……. www.showaddywaddy.net/