I can't do this any more, says frontman Bartram
Showaddywaddy frontman Dave Bartram has quit as the band's singer – saying he had lost "the fire in his belly."
Dave, 59, who formed the Leicester crepe crusaders in 1973, says it was not an easy decision to make.
But after a disastrous gig in a Welsh caravan park earlier this year, the musician said he knew he had played his last encore.
Dave, who lives in Gaulby, near Scraptoft, said: "It was utterly dreadful, the facilities were terrible, there wasn't enough power to the stage, it was complete sweat box and it was full of totally drunk people.
"I stood on stage and thought 'I can't do this any more'.
"Over the years, we got the odd bad gig, but this was different. Something snapped inside me and I knew that was it."
The rock 'n' roll performer said he would still manage the band's business affairs and that relations with the other member of the group were as strong as ever.
He said: "The rest of the guys know they have my complete blessing to carry on, and there's no animosity between us at all.
"I've had a fantastic career, but I've been thinking about stepping down for a while now.
"To continue without that fire in my belly wouldn't be fair on the fans, so I thought it was time to bow out gracefully."
Dave said he is now concentrating on promoting his book – a humorous account of the band's 2005 tour of 33 caravan parks across Britain.
He also works as a music writer on the English language paper The Brit, which is sold in Portugal and Germany.
He added: "I've got plenty of things to keep me busy. The first book isn't even in the shops yet and we're talking about a second."
Showaddywaddy was formed after amalgamating two bands – Choise and The Golden Hammers – both of which played regular gigs at the Fosse Way pub, in Leicester. Their first single, Hey Rock and Roll, written by the band, was released in April 1974, reaching number two in the chart.
The band then went on to have a 22 UK hits. Of all the band's glory days, Dave recalls one special night at De Montfort Hall as being the pinnacle of his career.
"We were playing in Leicester in 1978, and the venue was packed to the rafters – it was not long before Christmas – and the news came through to the stage that we'd got the Christmas number one album.
"We ordered loads of Champagne to be delivered to the venue and we opened it all on stage, then after the gig we carried on celebrating at the Holiday Inn – we got quite drunk.
"It was amazing.
"It was the highlight of my career and the fact that we were in Leicester and we were number one made it all the sweeter."
Fan Paul Fixter, 33, who runs the Showaddywaddy.net website, said he has been hooked on the band since he was five years old.
He said: "It was a shock when I found out.
"I always thought when Dave left that would be the end of the band but luckily they're staying together with a new line-up.
"I first got into the band when I was really young and I've followed them ever since.
"I go to the gigs and, although this is disappointing, it's not going to stop me from being a fan."
23 Comments
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by sandrair
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 7:05PM
“sandrawaddy
So sad to hear that dave is retiring
i will miss him so much after following from day 1
he has been so decitaded to his group and fans
he made my day when I recieved a signed 60th birthday card in 2009 from dave and band members
last time I saw the band was at St helens this year were he signed my cartoon drawing of the group,all the best to showaddywaddy
Sandra(Wigan)”
by SWWfan
Sunday, October 30 2011, 9:20PM
“Without Dave as the frontman its hard to imagine a band still called Showaddywaddy but i guess some of the comments here about his voice at live gigs are sadly true from my own experience.
He sounds like he has strained his voice too much at gig performances but this is NOT true of his studio work though and if anyone has bought the fantastic relatively recent SWW albums`Sun Album`(2008) and the rockin great `70`s` album (2006) his voice sounds as vibrant and fresh as it ever did - including the high notes (noteably `tiger feet` cover). I hope Dave records new material for a brand new solo studio album as he clearly still has a great recording voice.
The new frontman for SWW Andy Pelos, sings with a band called the `Fabulous Teddies` who have `The duke` aka Malcolm Allured from the original SWW line up!
All the best to Dave whatever he does and good luck to the new band line up.”
by losanto
Sunday, October 30 2011, 5:24PM
“A great shame but I agree with Praetorian66.
I've been a fan since I was a kid, The first band I loved and the first to see live a a 12 year old in Brangwyn Hall, Swansea and then shortly after in St Davids, Hall, Cardiff. I'll never forget that magic, the energy and that incredible voice.
However, returned to see them earlier this year but despite some glimpses of that past magic, it was a disappointing evening and Dave's once great voice clearly just a shadow of its past glory, no longer even attempting those high notes and preferring to speak instead of sing many of the lyrics.
I shall therefore remember Dave and Showaddywaddy in their glory days and wish Dave all the very best for the future
Al”
by swwnut
Saturday, October 22 2011, 10:38PM
“I'd like to wish Dave a happy semi-retirement. I have been a wad nut since 1976, and missed just 2 London gig's since then. But nothing lasts forever, and hand on heart Dave has been struggling over recent years. It is sad when you see regular fans walk out before the end of a gig, Let's just hope the new line-up will work, there is nothing worse than artists hanging on my their teeth, and destroying all they have done in the process”
by Spotterworthy
Wednesday, October 19 2011, 11:02AM
“Please reconsider Dave. I've been a fan since I was but a nipper, and if you leave there'll be a huge gaping hole in my life.
I use the term life in its loosest possible sense, as I am a Trainspotter, and as such don't have much of, what you normal people would call a 'life' My day consists of going to work, where everyone shuns me as some sort of Oddball. After work I go home, and my mother makes me sit in the cupboard under the stairs. She pushes me commnuion wafers under the door to eat, and bangs on it with a broom handle shouting "REPENT, REPENT, YOU UNGRATEFULL CURR"
It's your music Dave, that gets me through these dark hours.
Please think again before you hang up your blue crepe coat.”
by Praetorian66
Wednesday, October 19 2011, 10:37AM
“Cant say I'm surprised, heard him (well hardly) at Summer Sundae, his voice has gone, no power and gravelly as hell. Shame but he knows it's best for him.”
by minstreal
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 9:43PM
“pls pls stay. or give us a farewell tour . dave you will be sadly missed. ive followed sww for 35 yrs but sadly feel without you their is no sww. be happy dave uyou will remain in our hearts xx”
by minstreal
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 9:41PM
“dave pls reconsider we all love u and want to see more of u. u r a great performer and song writer.u will b sadly missed but never forgotten. wud u please consider doing a fare well tour so we can say our gudbyes in person?.but whatever happens i wish you happiness. you touched our hearts and that is where you will always be xx”
by Kohelet
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 9:08PM
“So Hugh Dennis of Mock of the Week fame will be saying "and the band WAS Showaddywaddy "”
by RocknRollLady
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 7:33PM
“Having been a SWW fan since childhood (I'm now 41), I find this news quite sad as SWW will not be SWW without Dave. I do understand he wants to move on and do something different and wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do, but please, at least give your fans a farewell gig. Pleeeeease! :) Michelle, Manchester”