Romeo Challenger

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Romeo Challenger
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Background information
Birth nameRomeo Alexander Challenger
Born (1950-05-19) 19 May 1950 (age 74)
St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands
Origin Leicester, England
Genres Rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument Drums
Years active1971–present

Romeo Alexander Challenger (born 19 May 1950) is an Antiguan-born English musician. He has been the drummer for the rock band Showaddywaddy since 1973 and seminal progressive rock band Black Widow.

Contents

Born in the British Leeward Islands, [1] Romeo Alexander Challenger moved to the United Kingdom as an infant. In 1962, he was taught how to play the drums [2] and after a stint in the satanic group Black Widow [3] [4] left to join Choise who in 1973 met The Golden Hammers and became Showaddywaddy.

Challenger has played on every Showaddywaddy hit, and was one of two drummers with Malcolm Allured. Challenger also plays the timpani on songs. As of January 2019, Challenger is now the only original member of Showaddywaddy still touring, although not the only original member still involved, as lead singer Dave Bartram now manages the band.

Early life

Challenger was born 19 May 1950 in St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands. [1] [5] He is the second youngest original member of Showaddywaddy.

In 1955, he moved with his family to England. [3] He began playing the drums in 1962. [3] [2] His first drum kit was £12, which he bought after taking a paper route. Challenger grew up in a household that listened to jazz artists such as Fats Domino. Challenger bought his first record, "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" by Small Faces, in 1965. [2]

Challenger played in the Leicester Boys' football team with Peter Shilton and Jeff Blockley, [6] who both went on to enjoy professional careers.

The first band Challenger saw live was The Farinas, that had Roger Chapman on lead vocals. [2] The Farinas' drummer, Harry Overnall, agreed to give Romeo drumming lessons.

Career

Black Widow

He played in several groups, including progressive rock/hard rock band Black Widow in the early 1970s. [3] They were an early example of satanic imagery. [4] Challenger played drums, bongos and congas on two Black Widow albums, "Black Widow" [7] and "Black Widow III". Challenger also wrote songs for the band, including Black Widow's opening track, "Tears & Wine". In October 1972, he left Black Widow and replaced Richard Hough in the cover band Choise, which also had Dave Bartram (vocals), Trevor Oakes (guitar), and Al James (bass). [8]

Showaddywaddy

In 1973, Choise and another band, The Golden Hammers, came together to become one eight-member band. Challenger became one of two drummers (The other being Malcolm Allured) for the rock and roll band Showaddywaddy. [3] Showaddywaddy had ten singles reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, including the 1976 number-one "Under the Moon of Love". [5]

Showaddywaddy had ten top 10s and one number one in the UK between 1974 and 1982. [9] Challenger also plays the timpani, [10] but only when playing "Under the Moon of Love". Challenger's deep voice can be heard singing on songs such as "Under the Moon of Love", "Three Steps to Heaven", and "When".

Challenger is the only of the original eight members of Showaddywaddy who still tours in the current version of the band, since bassist Rod Deas retired in January 2019. [11] Lead singer Dave Bartram is still involved, and has managed the band since 1984. [12] Challenger no longer wears the bands trademark Teddy boy drape jacket when performing anymore, as it restricts his playing.

Personal life

Challenger and his wife Dawn live in Leicestershire. [3]

Challenger is the father of high jumper Ben Challenger, who won a silver medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and a bronze medal four years later; [13] and Tamzin Challenger, a musician best known for her material with bassline producer T2. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 Larkin, Colin, ed. (5 January 2024). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7 (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 435. ISBN   9780195313734.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Raised On Radio (8 October 2023). Romeo Challenger - Talks about Showaddywaddy, Drumming, TOTPs & more - Radio Broadcast 24/05/2023 . Retrieved 21 September 2024– via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Romeo Challenger". Showaddywaddy. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (2nd ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 55. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  5. 1 2 "Showaddywaddy". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ↑ "Leicester Bands: Showaddywaddy". beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  7. ↑ "www.blackwidow.org.uk". 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "Choise". Official Showaddywaddy Web Site. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "SHOWADDYWADDY". Official Charts. 18 May 1974. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Rock 'n' roll memories as Showaddywaddy return to Morecambe". Beyond Radio. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  11. ↑ Welsh, Andrew (30 June 2023). "'It's just like yesterday': Showaddywaddy drummer recalls 50 years on tour ahead of Perth, Fife and Angus gigs". The Courier. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  12. ↑ "Dave Bartam". Official Showaddywaddy Web Site. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "Ben Challenger, high jumper". thisisleicestershire.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
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