Veteran rockers ready to roll in Aviemore

VETERAN rockers Showaddywaddy, who this year celebrate their 40th anniversary, will be bringing this year's Thunder in the Glens bikers' rally to a close with a show at Aviemore on Sunday.

Now in its 17th year, and attracting up to 3,000 bikers, Thunder in the Glens is now officially the largest Harley Davidson rally in the UK.

Among its regular highlights is Saturday's mass ride-out from Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey, as well as a charity ride by bike and American cars up Cairngorm Mountain, weather permitting, on Sunday.

Along with trade and custom bike displays, there is also a busy programme of evening entertainment featuring rock, blues and country and headlined by Showaddywaddy.

Since getting their big break by winning ITV talent show New Faces in 1973, Showaddywaddy have released 23 Top 40 hit singles, including 10 in the top five, and made over 50 appearances on Top of the Pops.

Though original lead singer Dave Bartram handed over vocal duties to Andy Pelos in 2011, he remains closely involved with Showaddywaddy as manager.

Original members drummer Romeo Challenger and bass player Rod Deas remain at the heart of the live band, which is currently on a 40-date nationwide tour celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Inspired by a love of classic rock and roll which influenced not only their music but their distinctive Teddy Boy style costumes, the Showaddywaddy of the 21st century stay true to their roots.

"We do a bit of old fashioned rock and roll and we want people to go away happier than when they arrived," Bartram said.

That includes people born long after Showaddywaddy first burst onto the music scene.

"There are quite a number of young kids who come to our concerts," Bartram said. "The core of rock and roll is still pretty strong."

* Osprey Arena – Mods and Rockers night with disco and live music from Showaddywaddy and Itchycoo Park. The concert is only open to those registered with the Harley event.