The band started way back in late 72, early 73, the amalgamation of two bands. I was in a professional band called The Choice that was doing a resident gig at a pub called the 'Fosse Way', on the outskirts of Leicester. Another band, comprising mainly of mates and fans, used to come over. Eventually we amalgamated to make the Shawaddywaddy production. We started off with eight members. We only lost three in all this time.

Malcolm Allurd was originally with us. What did he play? He was half a drummer. He hasn't played in the band for twelve years. The main drummer was Romeo Challenger then - as now. Malcolm went on to run various pubs, such as the Crazy Horse in Nuneaton, the Traveller's Rest at Griffydam and now I believe he's got a pub in Osgathorpe, near Loughborough. We've lost complete contact.

We also lost Bill Buddy Gask. He was the other lead singer, with all his 30 or 40 flashy suits and Elvis type delivery. He was fired about eight years ago. There were a few personality clashes and problems. He lives in Whitwick somewhere, I think.

Russ Fields, the lead guitarist, was also fired. He had all sorts of problems. No, there's not many booze problems in rock and roll, is there? He had a few warnings but unfortunately he had to go.  

So the line up now is myself on main vocals, with the following:

• Trevor Oaks on Rhythm guitar

• Romeo Challenger on drums

• Rod Deas on bass

• Al James on bass/ vocals

We brought in Ray Martinez to take the place of Russ Fields as lead guitarist. Ray had been in a band called Spring, then a band called Gypsy. After that there was a long hiatus for him - until we offered him a job. He's wrote a song for Cliff Richard, 'The Only Way Out' or similar.

We built up our original following by letting it happen naturally. We didn't bus loads of people in, or set things up falsely. We used various agents and we were gigging five or six nights a week. We turned pro in September 1973, which was only 6 months after we had formed so it didn't take us long.

We had 23 top forty hits. 'Under the Moon of Love,' was a world wide number one. We had six number twos: 'Hey Rock and Roll', 'Three Steps to Heaven', 'When', 'You got what it takes', 'Dancing Party' & 'I Wonder Why'. A Shawaddywaddy CD has been available since 1987.

We met some crazy people. We employed one chap, who became known as the Garg. He supposed to have been an expert (he said he was!) on explosives.