The eight piece band were known for their unusual feature of having two vocalists (Dave Bartram and Buddy Gask), two drummers (Romeo Challenger and Malcolm Allured), two guitarists (Russ Field and Trevor Oakes), and two bassists (Rod Deas and Al James).

The band was formed in 1973 by the amalgamation of two groups, Choise (Dave Bartram, Trevor Oakes, Al James, and Romeo Challenger) and the Golden Hammers (Buddy Gask, Russ Field, Rod Deas, and Malcolm Allured), the latter often known simply as The Hammers.

They chose the name Showaddywaddy from the word sung in the background of popular 1950s doo wop song "Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds.

[10] They have made nearly 300 television appearances, including their own BBC TV special, Showaddywaddyshow, broadcast between Christmas and New Year in 1980.

[11][12][13] Starting with "Dancin' Party" (1977), the band produced their own records with more cover versions including "I Wonder Why" (originally by Dion and the Belmonts), "Blue Moon" (based on the Marcels' interpretation) and the Curtis Lee song "Pretty Little Angel Eyes", co-written by Tommy Boyce.

Their most recent chart single was "Who Put the Bomp", a number 37 hit in 1982,[7] which they also promoted in their final Top of the Pops performance.

[18][19] Cherry Red Records began to release Showaddywaddy's extensive album back catalogue on CD from 2000 on their 7Ts imprint.

In September 2011, Bartram released his long-lost solo recordings from 1982 to 1985 on Invisible Hands Music; the original tapes, consisting of seventeen songs, had been in his loft for 25 years, and was entitled Lost and Found.

[27] Danny Willson also left the band during 2009 to join Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, and his last gig was in Denmark on 8 August that year.

Lead singer Dave Bartram left Showaddywaddy on 3 December 2011 after 38 years fronting the band, and his last gig was at the Kings Hall Theatre in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

The anthology featured the band's entire 20th century catalogue of recorded material, including all of their original studio albums in mini-vinyl replica wallets, non-album A and B sides, together with a selection of alternative mixes and unreleased rarities unearthed from the vaults, in a 139-track, 10-CD box set.

A 36-page booklet included a 7,000-word liner note from Showaddywaddy expert Steve Thorpe, and an introduction from former band member Dave Bartram.

In June 2014, Showaddywaddy completed the "Once In A Lifetime" arena tour, with Bay City Rollers (starring Les McKeown), David Essex, and The Osmonds.

[33][34][35] Rod Deas retired from the band early in 2019, playing his last gig with Showaddywaddy at The Qube in Corby on Friday 25 January.

Norman was replaced by Tom Bull, and Loach was replaced by Chris Savage of Mud II in August, but he left a month later after only ten gigs;[36] Graham rejoined the band on saxophone, guitar, and bass, reintroducing the actual saxophone since he initially in 2011.

[39] Challenger's wife eventually found some of the stock for sale on EBay, which were traced back to a Salvation Army shop in Beeston, Nottinghamshire.