Official Showaddywaddy Web Site Gig Archive 1967-1973

Notes:

* Choise were a band who merged with Golden Hammers to form Showaddywaddy in 1973. Choise originally consisted of Don Collins, Richard Hough, Geoff Betts (Al James) and Trevor Oakes. Sometime around 1972, Dave Bartram replaced Don Collins, and Romeo Challenger replaced Richard Hough. The Showaddywaddy name first appeared in the summer of 1972, supported by Choise and Hammers. By the summer of 1973, Choise and Golden Hammers were a thing of the past as Showaddywaddy took over the whole show.
* Choise released one single in 1969 ("Cecilia") which didn't chart in the UK, but was a top-10 hit in Lebanon in 1970!
* 08 Jul 1967 - gig with The 'N Betweens (featuring Don Powell, later of Slade)
* 22 Jun 1972 - supporting Status Quo
* 31 Jul 1972 - earliest known reference of Showaddywaddy
* The first ever gig performed as ‘Showaddywaddy’ was reportedly at the Boot & Shoe Working Mens Club in Leicester. This could be the gig dated 03 Sep 1972 - however the fist SWW references go back to July 1972.
* 18 Sep 1972 - gig advertised as Showaddywaddy, but likely that the support was Choise/Hammers as in the previous gigs.
* 25 Sep 1972 - gig advertised as Showaddywaddy, but likely that the support was Choise/Hammers as in the previous gigs.
* 03 Oct 1972 - gig advertised as Showaddywaddy, but likely that the support was Choise/Hammers as in the previous gigs.
* 10 Oct 1972 - set reportedly included Sea Cruise, Blue Moon, and Chain Gang. Review also stated that Showaddywaddy were playing at the Fossway for the next 2 months before departing for shows in Germany.
* 21 Nov 1972 - gig advertised as Showaddywaddy, but likely that the support was Choise/Hammers as in the previous gigs.
* 07 Apr 1973 - SWW were supported by Choise and Golden Hammers, the two bands that joined to form SWW. The guys earned good money in the early days by taking the full package out on the road.
* 24 Apr 1973 - gig advertised in Leicester Mercury on Mon 16 Apr 1973 described as "next Tuesday" which I assume to mean 24 Apr 1973 rather than 17 Apr 1973 which presumably would be advertised as "tomorrow".
* 02 Jun 1973 - this was perhaps one of the last Choise gigs, as Showaddywaddy were formed earlier in the year and already gigging under teh SWW name
* 28 Aug 1973 - “Players No.6 Top Town Talent Contest” - set list: Wipeout, Rip It Up, New Orleans, Chain Gang, Rockin’ Robin, Teenager In Love, Jailhouse Rock, It’s Only Make Believe, Weekend. Showaddywaddy won the contest, a prize of £1,000, and 10 weeks worth of bookings at Bailey’s nightclubs. The judges included Julie Webb of the NME and Roger Cheveley, a Yorkshire Television producer. A newspaper article reported that SWW has been performing togehter for 12 months. Chain Gang was later recorded for the “Step Two” album (1975), It’s Only Make Believe was recorded for the “Bright Lights” album (1980), and Weekend was recorded for the “Good Times” album (1981). The competition was the catalyst for signing a contract worth £400,000 with SAS Artistes Management, the booking agent for the Bailey Organisation.
* 01 Sep 1973 - the band’s first gig as professional musicians - there are also reports that their first gig as pros was at Bailey’s in Oldham later the same month, but Margate has always been said to be the first "pro" gig. They were working on a semi-pro basis before this.
* Oct 1973 - during the stint at Blighty’s, the band did not play on Mon 15 Oct. The band also played at Hull Bailey’s this month.
* Dec 1973 - advert for La Dolce Vita states SWW were playing week commencing 23 Dec 1973 - almost certain they didn't play on Christmas Day but played all other dates.
* Dec 1973 - the Manchester chapter in Dave Bartram's book, "All Mapped Out" suggests that the band actually played in Manchester on 31/12/1973
* During 1973, in addition to the venues above, the band are known to have also played at Wookey Hollow, Liverpool; Bailey’s, Oldham; The Garrick, Leigh; Bailey’s, Doncaster; Copperfields, Bolton; Bailey’s, Hull; Barbarella, Birmingham; Bailey’s, Sheffield; Piper, Preston; Bailey’s, Stockton.
* SWW also said to have played at various other venues during thier early days around Leicester, including The Speedway pub and Beaumont Leys WMC. Choise reportedly played a few times at a music pub called The Old Horns, Great Barr, Birmingham.