From Andy Charman in London:
Dave, when you did a tour in Germany, I think it was in Dortmund, Westfallia Stadium, Romeo had his discs stolen from his pub, did he ever get them returned?
DB: Romeo has never owned a pub, I think the discs belonged to long gone member Malcolm Allured. His heart was never in the band & he left to run a pub, I understand that the stolen discs were a publicity stunt to advertise the pub!
Dave Kennedy from Chapel-en-le-Frith asks:
What in your opinion has been the highlight of your Showaddywaddy career
to date and also what was the low point?
DB: Highlight was number one album at Christmas time in `78 - every artist wants the Christmas top album!
Low spot is that we should have been a 6 piece from day one!
I joined the old fan club, when this closed did a new one start up and is there a fan club running at the moment?
DB: The Fan Club no longer exists, though letters etc. can be sent to Jive Entertainments!
Have Showaddywaddy got any new television appearances lined up in the
future?
DB: No TV appearances scheduled in near future!
Which members of the group actually wrote the songs?
DB: Dave Bartram & Trevor Oakes wrote all the bands original material!
Whose decision was it to record Under the moon of love as this was a slight change in direction for you? Was it because 'Take Me In Your Arms' never charted?
DB: Under the Moon of Love was given to us by a Rock & Roll DJ in
Leicester. We all loved the song & so recorded it! (Thankfully)
When are you going to release all the albums on CD?
DB: Crimson Plc plan to release all the albums in the next 12 months or so!
The first two albums, Showaddywaddy and Step Two were absolutely wonderful. Then you had a change of direction with Trocadero - why this change?
DB: I personally thought Trocadero to be one of our best albums, certainly from a creative point of view!
Have you ever thought about returning to the rockier music as in the first two albums? I think you would surprise alot of people and be onto a winner.
DB: We did a much rockier album in 1991 on Jump Boogie & Jive, I think future recordings will reflect very much what we do on stage!
These are from Peter in Cardiff South Wales:
When will we be able to access the Jive Entertainment web-site as I have tried to find it but could not gain entry?
DB: There are still no plans for a Jive Ltd website, as and when there is one it will be purely to promote the company's managed artists.
Where will you be touring in 2000 as I hope to see you in South Wales or Cornwall? I saw you at the 'Hall for Cornwall' in July 1998 and I thought it was the best concert that I have seen since 1982, when I went to Swindon for the 1st time, and that night was the best show. I just would like to thank you for all the concerts that I have been to over the last two decades as you are the Greatest rock 'n' roll show on earth.
DB: Thankyou for your comments on the Truro show! There are no plans at present to visit Devon & Cornwall (though I hope there will be before long)
Are there any live audio recordings rather than videos you might
consider releasing
DB: We have tried live recordings in the past but can't seem to capture the on stage atmosphere!
I have read that some members owned different shops in the past, eg
record shops etc. Who owned which shops and are any still owned by the
various members?
DB: The shop you mentioned was part owned by former member Bill Gask. it ran in to financial problems many years ago & was taken over shortly
afterwards. I was a partner in a clothes shop in Nottingham in the late 70's and got ripped off by the partner, so called it a day to concentrate on the industry I knew & loved!
Is there any news on your "unreleased masters" that you were telling me about or the new album?
DB: Until I hear something from the companies involved, I'm a
little in the dark although the release seems unlikely, until we have sorted out a new album release!
Do you plan to make another "comeback" and release a single, maybe one
that would fit in with today's chart style? I know "Why?" wasn't that
successful chart-wise when it was released, but I remember you did a lot of
television around that time.
DB: It would be foolish to try a new style of music, our motto is 'stick to what you're good at', but you never know in the rock & roll industry what may be around the corner!