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Rocky Sharpe and the Replays

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Rocky Sharpe and the Replays
OriginBrighton, England
GenresDoo-wop, Rock and roll revival
Years active1977 (1977)–1983 (1983)
LabelsChiswick, Polydor, RAK
MembersRocky Sharpe
Helen Highwater
Johnny Stud
Eric Rondo (Mike Vernon)

Rocky Sharpe and the Replays is an English doo-wop/rock and roll revival group who first found fame in the late 1970s. The usual line-up of the group was Rocky Sharpe (born Robert Podsiadly, 26 November 1952), Helen Highwater (real name: Helen Blizard), Johnny Stud (Sharpe's brother Jan Podsiadly) and Eric Rondo (Mike Vernon). An earlier incarnation of the group, Rocky Sharpe and the Razors, included Den Hegarty, Rita Ray and Nigel Trubridge who later formed Darts.

History

In 1978, the group enjoyed its first commercial success with "Rama Lama Ding Dong"[1], a cover version of the Edsels' original hit, which reached number 17 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] More chart success quickly followed with another single, "Imagination", which reached number 39 in 1979.[2] After this, success was more difficult to find, and Sharpe found greater success in touring than in the charts.

In 1982, Sharpe had another major hit. "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)", a cover version of Ernie Maresca's 1962 hit, reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] Although he never had another hit as big again, Sharpe retained a fan following and his music remained widely available. The group's last chart single was "If You Wanna Be Happy", which reached UK chart position 46 in 1983.[2]

Sharpe was forced to retire from the business in the late 1980s after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He lived with his wife Paulina until late 2013, when he became a full-time resident at the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH) in Worthing. [3]

Discography

Albums

  • Rama Lama (Chiswick, 1979)
  • Rock-It to Mars (Chiswick, 1980)
  • Let's Go (Chiswick, 1981) (reissued as Shout! Shout!)
  • Come On Let's Go (Chiswick, 1981, Netherlands, South Africa)
  • Stop! Please Stop! (Polydor, 1983)

Singles

Compilations

  • The Fabulous Rocky Sharpe and the Replays (12 tracks)
  • Looking for an Echo - The Best of Rocky Sharpe and the Replays (27 tracks, 1999)

Rocky Sharpe and the Razors

  • EP (4 tracks) – "Drip Drop" / "What's Your Name" / "So Hard To Laugh (So Easy To Cry)" / "That's My Desire" (Chiswick, 1976)
  • Single (2 tracks) "Drip Drop" / "What's Your Name" (Chiswick, 1976)
  • So Hard to Laugh (14 tracks) (Chiswick, 1993 compilation)

UK chart hits

Date Song Peak Weeks on Chart
16.12.1978 "Rama Lama Ding Dong" 17 10
24.03.1979 "Imagination" 39 6
25.08.1979 "Love Will Make You Fail in School" 60 4
09.02.1980 "Martian Hop" 55 4
17.04.1982 "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" 19 9
07.08.1982 "Clap Your Hands" 54 3
12.02.1983 "If You Wanna Be Happy" 46 7

[4]

References

  1. ^ "Ace Records". Acerecords.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19 ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 494. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ "QAHH receives a rama-lama-ding-dong donation!". Retrieved 13 May 2017.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "UK Charts : Rocky Sharpe and the Replays". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
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