Tributes to Showaddywaddy star Al James

One of the original members of 1970s charttoppers Showaddywaddy has died at the age of 72.

Bassist Al James, whose real name was Geoffrey Betts, died in hospital three weeks after a fall at his home.

Ex-Showaddywaddy lead singer Dave Bartram said his old friend had “lived life to the full”.

James was part of the line-up of the band when it formed in Leicester in 1973 and remained a member until 2008 when he retired after 35 years, bowing out in a final gig at the Cheese & Grain in Frome, Somerset.

The eight-piece group specialised in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and 1960s and were famed for their distinctive brightly coloured Teddy Boy outfits.

Their records sold in the millions and they notched up 15 UK top 20 hit singles during their 1970s heyday.

Their first hit, Hey Rock and Roll, was released in 1974.

They will be best remembered for the top five singles Under the Moon of Love (which gave them their only number one in 1976), You Got What It Takes and Three Steps to Heaven.

Showaddywaddy continued to record and perform, including a new collection of studio material and a six-month UK-wide tour in 2013 to celebrate their 40th anniversary, and the Once In A Lifetime arena tour, with Bay City Rollers, David Essex, and The Osmonds, in 2014.

Bartram said James was key to the band’s success.

“He just had that little bit of something different to offer,” he said. “His sense of mischief and fun – that’s unforgettable.

“He loved the rock and roll lifestyle.” Romeo Challenger, Showaddywaddy’s drummer since 1973, said: “He was one of the funniest people I have ever met. His anecdotes were hilarious, (he was) generous to a fault and we all loved him.”

PA. Al James, front right, played bass in pop band Showaddywaddy.