Showaddywaddy

About

Long established as Europe’s most successful ever exponents of retro-inspired rock & roll, SHOWADDYWADDY’s record of achievements spanning 5 decades truly sets them apart from their contemporaries and their peers.

The band’s extraordinary voyage began back in 1973, when courtesy of an impromptu ‘jam session,’ the original eight man lineup chanced upon an instant musical chemistry, the likes of which immediately grabbed the small audience’s attention, perhaps suggestive of things yet to come.

In the next decade a staggering 23 Top 40 hit singles followed, including Top 5 hits: “Under The Moon of Love,” “When,” “You Got What It Takes,” “3 Steps To Heaven,” and “Hey Rock & Roll,” to name but a few, which eclipsing all expectations went on to grace the charts in more than thirty territories.
The success story kept on growing:

More than 30 million records sold worldwide.

15 massive selling albums (including a prestigious Christmas number 1 in 1978).

In excess of 500 television appearances, including more than 50 Top of the Pops performances, plus their very own BBC TV special in 1980.

Innumerable industry awards!

Royal command performances (one to the delight of the Queen Mother – who actually requested to meet the band post-performance).

Bill toppers at the prestigious Golden Orpheus World Music Festival in 1982 before an astonishing TV audience in excess of 300 million people – breaking down political barriers in the process by becoming the first ever western-world band to be screened live in Communist Cuba!

Late 2004 saw the release of the re-mastered “Very Best Of” collection, which incredibly remained on the album chart for 3 months, helping the band achieve their first Gold Album award for in excess of 20 years to once again confirm SHOWADDYWADDY as proven recording artists.
By dint of this renewed surge in popularity the boys were asked to record their first album of new material for 15 years, culminating in an inventive collection of hit covers originally recorded by their 70’s contemporaries. Aptly entitled “I Love Rock & Roll” the 2006 release featured adaptations of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Rock This Town,” “Jungle Rock,” to name but a few, together with a rousing rendition of the title track. Not unexpectedly the album chalked up healthy worldwide sales.

Late 2008 saw the much anticipated release of the concept album & DVD entitled “The Sun Album,” researched from 9800 original Sun titles in which the band lovingly created ‘the album they always wanted to make,’ thus achieving a long time ambition in the process by recording at the revered Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Released to amazing Industry and public acclaim the CD/DVD soon became something of a cult classic, continuing to win over a legion of new admirers with its re-release in 2014.

In April 2019 the remastered ‘GOLD’ album debuted on the UK chart at Number 7, remaining on the chart for an incredible 10 weeks, only adding to the band’s truly amazing track record, duly supported by yet another strenuous 70 date nationwide theatre tour, whilst earning their second successive industry award as: ‘The UK’s hardest working artists!’

Not content to rest on their laurels during a prolonged lay-off from live performance work by virtue of the COVID 19 pandemic, a shakeup in personnel ensued, as seeking to recreate the unique blend of vocal harmonies and dynamic rock ‘n’ roll for which the ‘WADDIES’ had become known and loved the world over, a widespread search culminated in the addition of four multi-talented young musicians, who finally hit the live performance trail in late 2021 to an astonishing reaction, earning the plaudits from the media and fans alike, with a live touring show described as: “An adrenaline fueled spectacle reminiscent of the heady days of the 1970s!”

And it’s true, the revitalised line-up’s striking vocal ability – no backing tracks here – and musical prowess bear an uncanny resemblance to the original chart-topping band, complete with a dynamic stage presence and work ethic which looks set to win over a whole new legion of fans, while at the same time preserving SHOWADDYWADDY’s enviable reputation as live artists.
“I feel reborn!” says original member/drummer Romeo Challenger, adding: “This group of musicians are capable of anything!” Symbolic perhaps that an exciting future lies ahead for the extraordinarily talented six-piece, particularly with new recording and TV projects in the pipeline for 2024/2025.

As if the list of accomplishments across five decades were not enough, 2024 seems destined to be one of the most memorable years on record, with a massive 100 plus date tour confirmed to mark the band’s 50th year as recording artists, commemorated moreover by a series of limited edition 7” and 12” vinyl recordings shortly to be announced, including the eagerly anticipated rerelease of the band’s classic 1974 yuletide hit “Hey Mister Christmas.”

Their place amongst the rock ‘n’ roll elite long cemented, the band’s unique credentials and versatility remain without question – concerts, corporate conventions, festivals, universities, colleges, clubs & private functions the world over still clamor to book this remarkable live show, thus providing proof that after 50 sensational years, rock & roll music is truly alive and kicking in the hands of the legendary ‘SHOWADDYWADDY’.