Showaddywaddy to bring 40th anniversary tour to Epsom Playhouse (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Showaddywaddy to bring 40th anniversary tour to Epsom Playhouse

4:13pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Freetime By Hardeep Matharu

Retro-inspired rock and roll will be coming to Epsom when hit group Showaddywaddy pops into town with a new tour celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The band with the memorable name formed in Leicester in 1973 and consisted of Dave Bartram, Buddy Gask, Russ Field, Trevor Oakes, Al James, Rod Deas, Malcolm ‘Duke’ Allured and Romeo Challenger.

It specialised in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, as well as original material.  Showaddywaddy had 23 top 40 hit singles, including 10 top five hits - Under The Moon of Love, When, You Got What It Takes, 3 Steps To Heaven, and Hey Rock and Roll.

The group produced 15 massive selling albums, including the Christmas No 1 in 1978, appeared on the BBC’s Top of the Pops more than 50 times, and appeared at royal variety performances - one to the delight of the Queen Mother who asked to meet the band afterwards.

Showaddywaddy were also bill-toppers at the Golden Orpheus World Music Festival before a television audience of 300 million people - making history in the process by becoming the first band from the western world to be screened live in Communist Cuba.

Still going strong after four decades in the business, the demand for these cult performers remains. 

Although Dave Batram no longer performs with the group, the lead role is performed by Andy Pelos, an old friend of the Epsom Playhouse.

Showaddywaddy; Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom; January 26, 7.45pm, from £18.50; call 01372 742555, visit www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk