Official Showaddywaddy Web Site Gig Archive 1972-1973

Notes:

* 10 Oct 1972 - set reportedly included Sea Cruise, Blue Moon, and Chain Gang. Review also stated that Showaddywaddy were playing at the Fosseway every Tuesday for the next 2 months before departing for shows in Germany. Choise drummer Richard Hough appears to have left by this point, with auditions for a new drummer taking place on this date and 12th Oct.
* 21 Nov 1972 - gig advertised as Showaddywaddy, but likely that the support was Choise/Hammers as in the previous gigs.
* 24 Apr 1973 - Dave Bartram reportedly did not take part in the local heat of the contest due to having appendicitis.
* 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. Other finalists included Johnny Paterson Big Sound (Hull), The Jade with Aly Hamilton (Edinburgh), and Association Show Band (Birmingham).
* 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. All band members were working on a semi-pro basis before this. All gigs from this date forward were Showaddywaddy only, with Choise and Golden Hammers consigned to history.
* 10 Oct 1973 - it was apparently at this gig in Birmingham that ATV Producer Les Cocks saw SWW and asked them to appear on New Faces.
* Oct 1973 - during the stint at Blighty’s, the band did not play on Mon 15 Oct.
* 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, Doncaster; Copperfields, Bolton; Barbarella, Birmingham; Piper, Preston.
* SWW also said to have played at various other venues during thier early days around Leicester, including Beaumont Leys WMC.