A lifelong fan's ambition was realised recently when iconic 70s rock and roll band Showaddywaddy performed a special charity concert in his garden in Hest Bank, Lancashire. Andy Brooks, 62, described the event as a "dream come true" after he reached out to the band to request a performance from his patio.
Mr Brooks, a businessman, expressed his delight at the band's willingness to engage with his unique request. "It was an incredible moment for me when they actually acknowledged my emails and said 'yeh, not a problem, we'll come down and do your back garden and have a great evening'," he recounted. The intimate gig was attended by over 100 friends, family, and most of his neighbours, ensuring a lively atmosphere without causing disruption.
The garden party successfully raised an impressive £2,000 for the North Lancs and South Cumbria branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Mr Brooks highlighted the audience's enjoyment, noting that there were "smiles on their faces from start to finish." He praised the band's interaction with the attendees, calling it "amazing" and the evening "surreal."
Showaddywaddy, who formed in Leicester in 1973, achieved significant success throughout the 1970s. Their first hit single, 'Hey Rock and Roll', was released in 1974, leading to a string of 15 UK Top 20 singles. Their catalogue of hits, which sold millions of records, includes popular tracks like 'Under the Moon of Love', 'You Got What It Takes', and 'Three Steps to Heaven'.
Lead singer Andy Pelos confirmed the band's enthusiasm for the unusual venue, stating that the idea had been discussed "about a year and a half ago." He added, "It was a fantastic night. It was lovely for us to be able to come and do this special night for him." The event underscores the enduring appeal of the band's music and the power of dedicated fans to create memorable experiences for a good cause.