‘Dave the Rave’ and Elaine’s video goes viral

Singing friends are in seventh heaven after their take on a rave classic has gone viral.

Dave the Rave, whose real name is Dave Common, is well known in Sunderland for his love of rave.

He teamed up with long time friend Elaine Rennie to record a version of track Rave Heaven that’s been viewed more than 100,000 times in three days.

Singer and songwriter Elaine, who came third in the 1998 finals of Stars In Their Eyes performing as Belinda Carlise, began adlibbing when Dave started singing Rave Heaven, which was originally released by Belgian producer Dave McCullen.

Their version captured the imagination of people on social media and the pair are now hoping to record it properly.

Elaine, who lives in Grindon, said: “Me and Dave have known each for years and music has really helped us through the lockdowns.

"Dave was supposed to be on The Voice but he couldn’t do it because of lockdown.

"We were singing outside of my house and Dave began singing Rave Heaven.

"I didn’t realise it was already a song and began doing my own verse and people really liked it.

"We can’t believe how many shares and views it’s getting, it’s creeping up to a thousand views an hour. I think people are just finding it really cheerful.”

She added: “We’re really hoping we can record it in a studio when we can.”

The pair are planning to do weekly performances at 4pm on Sundays to keep people entertained in lockdown, either in Galashiels Road or outside KFC in Pennywell.

The performances can be viewed on their Facebook pages.

Back in 2018, Dave the Rave won an Echo readers' online poll as the best Mackem dancer.

More than 3,000 people voted to crown him the outright winner.

Dave took home a massive 68% of the vote and was the clear winner.

He has been entertaining people on the streets of Sunderland for years and is a popular local figure.

At the time, one voter commented: "Has to be 'Dave the Rave', been around years and don't think I've ever seen him stand still.

"Even when he is walking he's having a rave."

Dave and Elaine have had more than 100,000 views of their song so far.

Their shared love of music has helped the friends through lockdown.