Showaddywaddy
When two promising Leicestershire groups fused their talents in 1983, the result was an octet comprising Dave Bartram (vocals), Billy Gask (vocals), Russ Fields (guitar), Trevor Oakes (guitar), Al James (bass), Rod Teas (bass), Malcolm Allured (drums) and Romeo Challenger (drums). Showaddywaddy personified the easy-listening dilution of rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly and their visual appeal and showmanship won them talent contests and, more importantly, a contract with Bell Records. Initially penning their own hits, they charted steadily, but after reaching number 2 with Eddie Cochran's Three Steps To Heaven, the cover version game was begun in earnest. Fifteen of their singles reached the UK Top 20 during the late '70s but the seemingly foolproof hit formula ran dry in the following decade when the rock ‘n’ roll revival had passed.