Paul Barrett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul "Legs" Barrett
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Paul 'Legs' Barrett in his office
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Franklyn Barrett |
| Born | 14 December 1940 |
| Origin | Blackwood, Wales |
| Died | 20 January 2019 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Rock and roll music manager and agent, author |
| Years active | 1958–2019 |
| Associated acts | Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets, Dave Edmunds, Wee Willie Harris, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Jets, Matchbox, Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Linda Gail Lewis. |
Paul Franklyn "Legs" Barrett (born December 14, 1940 – died January 20, 2019) was a music manager and agent from the UK. He worked with rock and roll artists from the 1950s style. He was also an author, and earlier in his life, a singer, songwriter, and actor. Paul Barrett is known for discovering and managing the famous singer Shakin' Stevens in the 1960s and 1970s. He also helped many other great rock and roll musicians throughout his long career.
Contents
Early Life and Music Passion
Paul Barrett was born in Blackwood, Wales, in 1940. He moved to Penarth near Cardiff when he was young. His father worked with metal, and his mother was a writer. Paul changed his middle name to Franklyn in 1961 because he liked the name and admired Franklin D. Roosevelt.
He went to school in Cogan and Penarth. After school, he had many different jobs. These included being a photographer's helper, a salesman, and a hospital worker.
In the 1950s, Paul fell in love with American rock and roll music. In his free time, he started helping a local rock group called the Backbeats. He began organizing dances for teenagers at the Paget Rooms, a local venue. These events continued until the early 1980s. Paul also showed rock and roll movies and opened a special record shop for rock and roll music.
For a short time, the Backbeats changed their style to "flower power" music. They called themselves "Earl Fuggle and the Electric Poets." Paul Barrett himself sang lead vocals as "Earl Fuggle."
Working with Shakin' Stevens
A teenager from Cardiff named Michael Barratt was a fan of the Backbeats. He later became known as Shakin' Stevens. Michael sometimes sang with the Backbeats. In the mid-1960s, Michael formed his own band called the Rebels.
In 1969, Paul Barrett went to see the Rebels perform. He wasn't impressed with the band, but he saw something special in Michael Barratt. Paul offered to manage Michael. He had two conditions: Michael had to leave the Rebels and choose a new stage name. Michael agreed, left the Rebels, and became "Shakin' Stevens."
Paul Barrett managed Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets until 1977. He even sang on stage with them sometimes. After Shakin' Stevens left to perform in a musical, the Sunsets continued touring. Paul helped them arrange tours in the Netherlands and Ireland.
Later, Paul Barrett had disagreements about money from some albums he had helped create. These albums were re-released and became very popular. In 1993, there was a court case about unpaid money. The judge decided that former band members were owed money. This case cost Shakin' Stevens and producer Dave Edmunds a lot of money.
Paul Barrett was still upset about other unpaid money. In 2005, he re-released two albums on one CD. He gave it a strong title to show his feelings about the situation.
Later Career in Music
Manager and Agent Work
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After managing Shakin' Stevens, Paul Barrett continued to work as a professional agent and manager. He helped many other 1950s style rock and roll artists. These included Charlie Gracie, Wee Willie Harris, and Bill Haley's original Comets. He also worked with Linda Gail Lewis, who is the sister of the famous rock star Jerry Lee Lewis.
Paul organized many rock and roll events and concerts. These took place all over the UK and in Europe. His company, "Paul Barrett Rock and Roll Enterprises," became a leading agency for this type of music.
Performing on Stage
Paul Barrett's voice was heard on several early Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets albums. He sang on songs like "Oh Baby" and "At the Hop." He also spoke the commentary on the track "Superstar." One album he worked on, "I'm no J.D.," was re-released and earned a Gold Record. Paul also sang live with the band during their shows.
Acting Roles
Starting in the 1970s, Paul Barrett appeared as an extra in several movies. He had a notable role in the horror film 'Bloody New Year.' He was also in the rock and roll movie Blue Suede Shoes. In 1987, he appeared in a TV show called Sins which starred Joan Collins.
Writing Books
In the 1980s, Paul Barrett wrote a book with Hilary Heywood. It was about "Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets." Paul wanted to call it "Rocky Road Blues." However, the book was renamed and promoted as a pop star biography. It became a best-seller for a short time. Paul's book shared funny and honest stories about the band's history behind the scenes.
Music Albums
- A Legend (1970, Parlophone)
- I'm No J.D. (1971, CBS)
- Rockin' and Shakin' (1972, Contour)
- Shakin' Stevens & The Sunsets (1973, Pink Elephant/Emerald Gem) (Awarded a UK Gold Record)
- Manhattan Melodrama (1975, Pink Elephant)
- C'mon Memphis (1977, Dynamite)
