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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTEVENS, Shakin'(b Michael Barratt, 4 March '48, Ely, Wales) UK rock'n'roll revivalist with the style down pat. Began as frontman with the Sunsets, a revival band formed '69 who were a big live attraction; A Legend '70 prod. by Dave Edmunds for EMI was first of albums of classics by the Sunsets. Presley soundalike voice won him part in a Elvis musical in London, starring alongside P.J. Proby; made debut solo LP for Track, moved to Epic, starred on Jack Good's revived Oh Boy TV show. With prod. Stuart Colman he made singles which cleverly avoided self-conscious revivalism while paying dues to roots: "Hot Dog' first hit (top 25) and "Marie Marie' (written by then-unknown Dave Alvin of the Blasters) top 20, both '80; first no. 1 was "This Ole House' '81 (huge USA hit by its writer Stuart Hamblen in country chart '54, Rosemary Clooney in pop). 11 more top ten hits '81-4 incl. "Green Door' (no. 1 USA hit by disc jockey Jim Lowe '56), "Oh Julie' (USA hit by the Crescendos '57), both no. 1 UK for Stevens. Returned to Edmunds for prod. of LP Lipstick Powder And Paint '85. He used video constructively for hip-swivelling appeal; happy hits owed much to former prod. Colman, sidemen such as Edmunds, guitarist Billy Bremner, etc. |