Chart legend Shakin’ Stevens outsold global icons Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson in the British singles chart in the 80s.
In fact, the rock n’ roll singer, who performs at P&J Live on Friday in support of Status Quo, outsold everyone during that decade.
Shaky shares the distinction with The Beatles (60s) and Elton John (70s) of being the most successful UK singles chart performer of a decade.
He spent an astonishing 435 weeks in the UK singles charts in the eighties.
Shaky’s big breakthrough came when he performed single Hot Dog on Top of the Pops for the first time in 1980 – whilst dancing on top of a piano.
It was reminiscent of rock n’ roll great Jerry Lee Lewis, who passed away at the age of 87 last month.
Lewis’ explosive live performances included ‘The Killer’ performing on top of his piano.
But what happened when the biggest singles act of the 80s met a rock n’ roll icon?
Shaky said: “I have two photographs of myself with Jerry Lee Lewis.
“It was around the time when Jerry was living in Ireland and I had a gig arranged with him and two other bands.
“It was the first time I had ever met Jerry.
“Meeting someone who was that influential and successful was great.
“He invited me to his room and I said thanks, but I’m okay.
“I said to Jerry I would stay with the rest of the band, wished him a great show and said we’ll meet before and after.
“That was because Jerry was very unpredictable so anything could have happened.
“He was a great, great artist and made his mark on rock n’ roll and country.”
The significance of Top Of The Pops
Shaky’s debut appearance on Top Of The Pops would be the catalyst for a record-breaking run on the influential BBC1 television programme.
The singer, now 74, would go on to perform on the show 60 times, more than anyone else.
He performed chart-topping smash hits such as This Ole House, Green Door, Oh Julie and Merry Christmas Everyone on Top Of The Pops.
Shaky will play those hits and many more when performing in the Granite City.
He said: “I got to 60 appearances on Top Of The Pops.
“Back then there weren’t many television opportunities to plug a new release.
“Top Of The Pops was really the only one around so it was a great show to get on.
“The first one I did was memorable when I sang Hot Dog.
“Then during a show one of the directors asked if I realized it was my 60th appearance.”
‘Who could refuse an invitation from Status Quo?’
The six-date tour which takes in Aberdeen is not the first time Shaky has supported Status Quo.
He performed at an open-air summer concert with the band at Carrow Road, Norwich in front of 15,000 fans on August 2, 1997.
Shaky said: “I played with Status Quo at a football ground a long time ago.
“It was a large audience and I do remember the show went down very well.
“It was great to play with them as the crowd that go to see Status Quo are always up for it.
“Who could refuse an invitation from Status Quo to once again get back on the road, and rock!”
‘I released This Ole House and off I went’
Shaky did not only reign supreme in the UK in the 80s where he has 33 hit singles.
He also topped the charts in Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Switzerland and Poland.
The charismatic singer seamlessly blended fifties rock n’ roll nostalgia with a contemporary pop sensibility when racking up those hits.
From the time This Ole House delivered a first number one in 1980 the hits started to flow.
The secret of that success? A good manager. says Shaky.
He said: “What opened up Europe for me was Marie, Marie which got to number 19 but stayed in the charts for nine months.
“Then I released This Ole House and off I went.
“It was a really successful time but you have to be with the right people who believe in you.
“You need to have the right manager.
“If you don’t things can wobble a little bit.
“I recently released a definitive collection which is 266 tracks with book pack inside with lots of information and photos.
“It was about time something like that was done. I’m very pleased with that.”
For more information and tickets for Shakin’ Stevens and Status Quo at P&J Live on Friday, visit pandjlive.com
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