Trevor Oakes: 9th September 1946 - 18th February 2026
Dave Bartram (Showaddywaddy 1973 - 2011 and current band manager): "It is with enormous sadness that I sit here today paying tribute to the life of my close friend and songwriting companion Trevor, who passed peacefully away on the morning of Wednesday 18th February 2026, following a long illness. I first met Trevor in 1969 at the now legendary Fosseway Hotel on the outskirts of the city of Leicester, where attending a midweek gig featuring his band Choise we chatted during the interval and instantly hit it off, sharing many similar musical influences, not to mention a burning desire to someday make our own mark on the fiercely competitive rock & roll industry. Barely six months later I found myself proudly fronting the self-same band, and largely thanks to Trevor’s drive and encouragement achieved my initial goal of becoming a professional musician, which some eighteen months later incredibly upon the formation of Showaddywaddy flourished into a successful recording career which stretched beyond our wildest dreams. Trevor and I became firm friends and grew together, not only as musicians, but particularly as ambitious songwriters, literally spending hours, which soon spread to days and months devotedly demoing song after song on his coveted Revox and my own TEAC reel to reel tape decks, initially at our parent’s homes, the results of which would later feature heavily in the vast Showaddywaddy catalogue of albums and singles. Trevor was a unique character and a dedicated professional, without whom the band would never have quite scaled the dizzy heights we seemed destined to achieve. He was also a caring and affectionate family man, with a mischievous sense of humour, which will be sadly missed by all those dear to him. I could write a book about the incredible memories we’ve shared over the past fifty-seven years, but most of all I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his unwavering friendship. Your true friend Dave."
Trevor (yellow) performing at the Swap Shop Rock Garden Party, London, May 1978. Picture copyright Peter Lane, courtesy www.saturdaymornings.co.uk
Russ Field (Showaddywaddy 1973 - 1985): "Trevor Oakes - what can I say in just a few words? As the two guitarists in SWW we tried to share the 6 string duties fairly equally, but what I appreciated much more was his songwriting ability. He had an uncanny natural talent to write catchy melodies and lyrics and I think it a great shame that our record company decreed at the time that our commercial future depended on reinventing 'oldies' rather than self-penned originals. Farewell Trevor my friend, may you rest in peace."
Malcom Allured (Showaddywaddy 1973 - 1984): "I first met Trevor way back in 1962 when he was in a band called The Renegades, and our paths continued to cross in the following years in our various bands, latterly when Choise and Golden Hammers merged to form Showaddywaddy - we became great friends during our time in Showaddywaddy, and we kept in touch over more recent years. Thank you for the great memories Trevor, and for the songs, especially Trocadero. See you soon(!)".
Biography: Trevor was one of the founding members of Showaddywaddy from the band's inception in 1973 when Trevor's band Choise merged with another Leicester band, Golden Hammers, to form Showaddywaddy. A sheet metal worker by day, Trevor soon turned pro to pursue his musical ambitions. Trevor was a prolific songwriter during his days with Choise, with this songwriting prowess continuing in Showaddywaddy. Notable songs coming from Trevor's pen included, "Trocadero", "Lookin' Back", "'68 Teenage Queen", "I Don't Like Rock 'n' Roll No More", and his favourite self-penned song, "That's Alright With Me", as well as numerous collaborations with Dave Bartram. When he wasn't playing guitar, he took part in the band's stage/dance routines, and was a key figure in the band's backing vocals and harmonies. Trevor was a keen footballer, often playing in Showbiz XI's in the '70s, '80s and '90s. He described his high point with the band as shaking hands with the Queen Mother, as well as great memories of the band being successful and playing thousands of live shows all over the UK and Europe. He played his last gig with the band in December 2008, moving to Devon where he kept his hand in playing on the local pub scene, before retiring from the music scene and returning to Leicester. Trevor passed away on 18th February 2026 aged 79.
Showaddywaddy - The Albums Collection
The first Showaddywaddy album box set for over a dozen years, with this 13CD/220+ Track collection. Limited Edition contains a print signed by Dave Bartram.
From their winning appearance on an edition of ‘New Faces’, the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ of the day, to become runners up in the series’ ‘All Winners Final’, it took just a matter of months until Showaddywaddy released their debut hit, ‘Hey Rock And Roll’ and the rest is Pop Music history, with the band having more Top 40 UK hits than any other Artist or Band in the 1970s.
Packaged as a CD-size box-in-box format featuring their run of albums from 1974’s self-titled debut to 1983’s “Living Legends”, with the addition of three extra albums recorded between 1996 and 2008, along with two Bonus CDs, that features 44 non-album singles, b-sides and rarities, including TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS, Dot Dot Dot and Three Good Reasons, as well as an unheard mix of Out On The Town, which were produced by legendary GRAMMY® Award winning producer, Roger Lomas.
The set also features liner notes from Showaddywaddy expert Steve Thorpe, giving a glorious insight as to why the band are still revered and selling out concerts today.
Showaddywaddy are continuously acknowledged as the hardest working band in the country, currently with 84 shows scheduled between January 2026 and March 2027!
This set has been produced in collaboration with Dave Bartram, who still manages the Band’s recording and live performance activities.
Order here!
From their winning appearance on an edition of ‘New Faces’, the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ of the day, to become runners up in the series’ ‘All Winners Final’, it took just a matter of months until Showaddywaddy released their debut hit, ‘Hey Rock And Roll’ and the rest is Pop Music history, with the band having more Top 40 UK hits than any other Artist or Band in the 1970s.
Packaged as a CD-size box-in-box format featuring their run of albums from 1974’s self-titled debut to 1983’s “Living Legends”, with the addition of three extra albums recorded between 1996 and 2008, along with two Bonus CDs, that features 44 non-album singles, b-sides and rarities, including TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS, Dot Dot Dot and Three Good Reasons, as well as an unheard mix of Out On The Town, which were produced by legendary GRAMMY® Award winning producer, Roger Lomas.
The set also features liner notes from Showaddywaddy expert Steve Thorpe, giving a glorious insight as to why the band are still revered and selling out concerts today.
Showaddywaddy are continuously acknowledged as the hardest working band in the country, currently with 84 shows scheduled between January 2026 and March 2027!
This set has been produced in collaboration with Dave Bartram, who still manages the Band’s recording and live performance activities.
Order here!
Promo
New images are now available! Taken in Nottingham in June, these images should be used for all promotional material going forward. Click here for downloads
Discography Relaunched
The all new and updated Showaddywaddy Discography is now available!
Comprehensive details are available for all singles released between 1974 and 2024. Updated with the Albums Discography 16 December 2025!Latest Updates
All website changes are listed in the Updates section. Site last updated 29 March 2026