Romeo Challenger
Romeo Alexander Challenger (born 19 May 1950) is an English musician who has been the drummer for the rock band Showaddywaddy since 1973 and seminal Progressive Rock band Black Widow.
Romeo Challenger | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Romeo Alexander Challenger |
| Born | 19 May 1950 St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands |
| Origin | Leicester, England |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Member of | Showaddywaddy |
| Formerly of | Black Widow |
Early life
Challenger was born 19 May 1950 in St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands.[1][2] In 1955, he moved with his family to England.[3] He began playing the drums as a teenager in the mid-1960s.[3]
Career
He played in several groups, including progressive rock/hard rock band Black Widow in the early 1970s.[3] In 1973, he became one of two drummers (The other being Malcolm Allured) for the rock and roll band Showaddywaddy.[3] Showaddywaddy had ten singles reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, including the 1976 number-one "Under the Moon of Love".[2]
Challenger played in the Leicester Boys' football team with Peter Shilton and Jeff Blockley,[4] who both went on to enjoy professional careers.
Personal life
Challenger is the father of high jumper Ben Challenger, who won a silver medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and a bronze medal four years later;[5] and Tamzin Challenger, a musician best known for her material with bassline producer T2.
Discography
Albums
- Black Widow (1971)
- Black Widow III (1972)
- Black Widow IV (1997)
- See's the Light of Day (2012)
Singles
- I Wish You Would b/w Accident (1971)
With Showaddywaddy
Studio albums
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Showaddywaddy | 1974 |
| Step Two | 1975 |
| Trocadero | 1976 |
| Red Star | 1977 |
| Crepes & Drapes | 1979 |
| Bright Lights | 1980 |
| Good Times | 1981 |
| Living Legends | 1983 |
| Jump, Boogie & Jive | 1991 |
| The One & Only – Greatest & Latest | 1996 |
| Hey Rock 'n' Roll | 2002 |
| I Love Rock 'n' Roll | 2006 |
| The Sun Album (I Betcha Gonna Like It) | 2008 |
| Next Chapter | 2016 |
Live albums
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Showaddywaddy Live! | 2013 |
Singles
| Single | Albums | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Hey Rock and Roll" | Showaddywaddy | 1974 |
| "Rock 'n' Roll Lady" | ||
| "Hey Mister Christmas" | Non-album single | |
| "Sweet Music" | Step Two | 1975 |
| "Three Steps to Heaven" | ||
| "Heartbeat" | Trocadero | |
| "Heavenly" | ||
| "Trocadero" | 1976 | |
| "Take Me in Your Arms" | ||
| "Under the Moon of Love" | Greatest Hits | |
| "When" | Red Star | 1977 |
| "You Got What It Takes" | ||
| "Dancin' Party" | ||
| "I Wonder Why" | Greatest Hits 1976–1978 | 1978 |
| "A Little Bit of Soap" | ||
| "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" | ||
| "Remember Then" | Crepes & Drapes | 1979 |
| "Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" | ||
| "A Night at Daddy Gees" | ||
| "Always & Ever" | Bright Lights | 1980 |
| "Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts?" | ||
| "Blue Moon" | ||
| "Doo Wah Diddy" | Good Times | 1981 |
| "Multiplication" | ||
| "Footsteps" | ||
| "Good Timing" | 1982 | |
| "Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp-a-Bomp-a-Bomp)" | Living Legends | |
| "Goody Goody" | ||
| "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" | 1983 | |
| "Under the Moon of Love" (remix) | Non-album single | 1986 |
| "Why?" | The Best Steps to Heaven | 1987 |
| "Rockin' and Rollin' with Santa Claus" | Non-album singles | 1990 |
| "Rock Christmas" (Germany promo-only release) | 1997 | |
| "Hey England! (Here We Come Berlin)" | I Love Rock 'n' Roll | 2006 |
References
- Larkin, Colin (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7 (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 435. ISBN 9780195313734.
- "Showaddywaddy". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- "Romeo Challenger". Showaddywaddy. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- "Leicester Bands: Showaddywaddy". beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- "Ben Challenger, high jumper". thisisleicestershire.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2010.