CUDDLY DUDLEY
(& the Redcaps)
In
the 1950’s, Dudley Heslop was probably the best known black rocker in the
1950’s UK thanks to many TV appearances on the famous "Oh Boy" show. With ambitions to fame one of the first acts was to drop his surname and label
himself “Cuddly Dudley”. With his Big Band background, the re-branded
“Cuddly Dudley” made his debut on the Oriole label with the Charles Ross
Orchestra. Rock ‘n’ Roll, having taken over America, was now breaking big in
the UK and various “traditional” acts were re-aligning themselves to include
the new sound and increase their appeal with a younger audience. Dudley, managed
by Guy Robinson who also looked after
Johnny
Kidd's early career, used to have himself promoted as Bristol's "answer"
to the Big Bopper!
Meanwhile,
Jack Good was spreading the appeal of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the UK teen audience
via a series of original television shows centred around artists and audience
but in a more dynamic "show" way rather than the conveyor-belt
approach that the future “Top Of The Pops” would take. His current show
broadcast by the BBC was entitled “Oh Boy!” and would feature all the top UK
rockers of the day from Cliff Richard and Billy Fury plus a multitude of others
like Vince Eager and Johnny Gentle. The backing was often provided by the Harry
Robinson Band masquerading under the rather British title of “Lord Rockinghams’
XI”, who went on to a famous no.1 of their own, “Hoots Mon!” in 1958.
It
was while Good was looking for new talent for this new show that Dudley was
given his big break as a solo singer and with his big grin and smart suits with
flashy ties Dudley became an instant hit with the viewing public. In late 1958
the programme was encapsulated on an LP issued on the Parlophone label and
Dudley featured on two tracks, "Hey Hey Hey Hey" (later covered by the
Beatles in a medley with “Kansas City”) and "Lets Rock While The
Rockings' Good".
In
1959 his debut single for HMV was released, coupling "Later" with
"Lots More Love" (HMV Pop 586). In January he featured in a film
called “Latin Quarter” (filmed in the London nightspot of the same name)
with the likes of Lord Rockinghams’ XI and Cherry Wainer. During one of his
dance routines Dudley fell off the stage, injuring ligaments in his leg, however
it was not enough to prevent him appearing on the next edition of “Oh Boy!”
the same week! The following month Cliff Richard was indisposed with a sore
throat and having to rest needed urgent deputising. Dudley was the man, although
he had to be rushed to Euston, train ride to Manchester and finally taxi to
Wigan to deputise in two shows that evening. It was worth it; both times he
brought the house down. Next day it was straight off to Newcastle while the next
day was at Sheffield. Finally it was back to London in time to appear at the
'Regal' in Edmonton, while in between making appearances on "Oh Boy"
and "Top Numbers"!
In
September, Dudley appeared in the “Big Pop Prom” at the Albert Hall and the
following month acquired his own backing group, an all-black combo called The
Embraceable Four”. There were many more television appearances over the course
of the year, which rounded off with one in Brussels. In
1960 he was support to top American vocal group the Platters and released his
second single “Too Pooped To Pop” coupled with “Kiss In Between” (HMV
POP 725), the A-side of which was penned by Chuck Berry.
Year |
Label |
A-side
/ B-side |
1959
|
HMV
POP586 |
Lots
More Love/ Later |
1960
|
HMV
POP725 |
Too
Pooped To Pop/ Miss In- Between |
1961
|
Ember
S136 |
Sitting
In A Train/ One That I Like |
1964
|
Oriole
ICB9 |
Blarney
Blues/ Peace On Earth |
1964
|
Oriole
ICB10 |
Way
Of Life/When Will You Say You'll Be Mine |
|
|
Redcaps only
|
1963
|
Decca
F11716 |
Shout
/ Little Things You Do |
1963
|
Decca
F11789 |
Talkin'
'Bout You / Come On Girl |
1963
|
Decca
F11903 |
Mighty
Fine Girl / Funny Things |
London
band the Redcaps backed him in 1960 and 61. Their highly regarded line-up
consisted of Johnny Patto on guitar,
Johnny Spence on bass,
Frank Farley on drums and Vic Cooper
on Keyboards. Dudley had left HMV and signed to Ember Records (later to be the refuge of John Barry
after leaving EMI). Cuddly and The Redcaps recorded and released one single, the
topside of which was called "Sitting in A Train" / "One That I Like". After this failed
they eventually parted company and Johnny Kidd recruited the Redcaps (minus
Cooper) when his previous crew of Pirates jumped ship. Suitably renamed the
Pirates, they evolved into a powerhouse of a trio and, with Green replacing Patto
through illness, were influential in revitalising Kidds’ charting career with the top
ten hit “I’ll Never Get Over You” in 1963.
For
Dudley, the early 1960’s saw Cabaret work as well as other singles on the
Piccadilly and Oriole labels, after which he moved into Ska Music and worked
with the Bluebeats. Cuddly Dudley may have broken through ahead of his time
whereas, had he been part of the early 60's R'n'B movement he may have fared
better and been allowed to develop both as a performer and recording artist. Nevertheless, to those fortunate enough to have seen him, Dudley will be fondly
remembered for his enthusiastic appearances on the "Oh Boy" TV shows.
|