Trevor Oakes, founding member and guitarist with ’70s band Showaddywaddy, has died.
Former lead singer Dave Bartram, who is now the group’s manager, revealed yesterday that the 79-year-old musician had passed away peacefully on 18 February after a long illness.
The band, who had a UK number one single with Under the Moon of Love in 1976, are still touring, with only drummer Romeo Challenger remaining from the original line-up.
Bartram paid tribute via the Showaddywaddy website.
“Trevor was a unique character and a dedicated professional, without whom the band would never have quite scaled the dizzy heights we seemed destined to achieve,” he penned.
“He was also a caring and affectionate family man, with a mischievous sense of humour, which will be sadly missed by all those dear to him.
“I could write a book about the incredible memories we’ve shared over the past 57 years, but most of all, I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his unwavering friendship. Your true friend Dave.”
Challenger posted simply, “Trevor Leslie Oakes was a brilliant songwriter who shared royalties with all band members. He will be in my heart forever”.
Showaddywaddy enjoyed 15 Top 20 hits during their peak from 1974 to 1979, including I Wonder Why and Hey Rock and Roll.
Oakes quit the band in May 2009 after suffering ill health.
The Sun newspaper reported that Oakes died in a Leicester care home and that his funeral had already taken place.
