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Shakin' Stevens guests

Legendary British rocker Shakin' Stevens is Jools's guest, playing live in the studio and picking some of his favourite records.

Legendary British rocker Shakin' Stevens is Jools' guest, playing live in the studio and picking some of his favourite records.

Shaky is one of the most successful British pop acts of all time, with 34 hit singles to his name, including classics like "Green Door", "Marie Marie" and the perennial "Merry Christmas Everyone".

The legend formerly known as Michael Barratt was born on 4 March 1948 in Ely, Cardiff - the youngest of 13 siblings. He started on the road to stardom in 1968 with the formation of Shakin' Stevens And The Sunsets.
Video: Shakin' Stevens performing This Ole House on The Little And Large Show.

Fame and fortune were slightly less than forthcoming, though the band stayed together for a decade and released a couple of albums. They were even voted Best Live Band in a 1972 NME poll.

The Sunsets lasted until 1977, when Shaky was offered the lead in Elvis, an award-winning West End musical. "It was terrific to be earning money while paying tribute to the King," he said.

And it was a formative experience. The show ran for 19 months, during which time he recorded a hit single, Justine, and an album - titled Shakin' Stevens.

The turning point came in the 1980s. He signed to Epic, releasing the Take One album and the single Hot Dog, which reached number 24 in the charts. Marie Marie followed, but it wasnt until 1981's This Ole House single that Shaky truly arrived. It was a number one smash, and made the singer an internationally-recognised face.

He recently released a new album "Echoes Of Our Time", a departure from his normal style; the first single from it, "Last Man Alive" was A-listed at Radio 2.

57 minutes

Last on

Mon 28 Nov 2016 23:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Music Played

  • C.W. Stoneking

    Get On The Floor

    • Gon' Boogaloo.
    • King Hokum Records.
    • 3.

  • Baba Brooks & His Recording Band

    King Size Ska

    • Trojan Presents Mod Ska - 40 Origional Ska Anthems.
    • Trojan Records.
    • 6.

  • Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones

    I Thought We'd Said Goodbye

    • Little Windows.
    • Tin Panda.
    • 5.

  • Tom Leamore

    Percy From Pimlico

    • Jools Selection of Music Hall Songs.
    • 1.

  • Dinah Washington

    A Stranger On Earth

    • A Stranger On Earth.
    • Roulette.
    • 1.

  • Shakin’ Stevens

    The Fire In Her Blood

    • Echoes Of Our Times.
    • 5.

  • Ray Charles

    What'd I Say

    • The Very Best Of Jazz Moods (Various).
    • Telstar.

  • Tony Joe White

    Steamy Windows

    • Closer To The Truth.
    • Remark.
    • 1.

  • Shakin’ Stevens & Jools Holland & Band

    It's My Own Business

  • S. J. Hawkins

    I Put A Spell On You

    • Halloween Hits (Various Artists).
    • Rhino.

  • Shakin’ Stevens

    Last Man Alive

    • Echoes Of Our Times.
    • 10.

Broadcast

  • Mon 28 Nov 2016 23:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2