Shakin' Stevens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shakin' Stevens
Stevens in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Michael Barratt
Born	(1948-03-04) 4 March 1948 (age 77) Cardiff, Wales
Genres	Rockabilly rock and roll
Years active	1968–present
Labels	Parlophone CBS Records International (division of Columbia Records Epic Polydor

Michael Barratt (born on 4 March 1948), known to his fans as Shakin' Stevens, is a famous singer and songwriter from Wales. He was the top-selling singles artist in the UK during the 1980s.

His music career started in the late 1960s. However, he became truly famous in 1980. Many of his most popular songs brought back the exciting sound of 1950s rock and roll and pop music.

In the UK, Shakin' Stevens had 28 songs that reached the Top 40 charts. Four of these songs even hit number one: "This Ole House", "Green Door", "Oh Julie", and "Merry Christmas Everyone". While "Merry Christmas Everyone" is still a favorite during the Christmas season, his last song to reach the Top 40 was "Trouble" in 2005.

Early Life and First Bands

Michael Barratt, who later became "Shakin' Stevens", was the youngest of 11 children. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Jack and May Barratt. His father worked in building and had been a soldier in the First World War.

Michael grew up in Ely, Cardiff. As a teenager in the mid-1960s, he started his first rock and roll band with school friends. He was the lead singer. The band had a few names, like the Olympics and the Cossacks, before finally becoming the Denims. They played shows in Cardiff and around South Wales.

Before he became a full-time musician, Michael worked as a milkman.

Joining The Sunsets

Stevens in 1976

While working as an upholsterer and milkman, Michael Barratt also sang in clubs and pubs on weekends. He joined a band called the Backbeats as their lead singer. A music manager named Paul "Legs" Barrett saw him perform. Paul suggested they change the band's style to sound like 1950s rock and roll and give it a new name. Michael Barratt agreed to choose a stage name. He picked "Shakin' Stevens" after an old school friend.

The band was now called Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets. They got a big chance when they opened for the Rolling Stones in December 1969. The band signed a record deal and released an album called A Legend. However, they didn't become very famous in the Great Britain right away. They did have several hit songs in other countries and released more albums.

Because their early records didn't sell much in Great Britain, many of these songs have become valuable items for collectors. For example, a copy of their song "Honey Don't" sold for over £340 in 2013! The Sunsets still perform today, with Stevens' nephew, Levi Barratt, sometimes as the lead singer.

Elvis! Musical and Solo Success

In 1977, after seven years of touring and recording, "Shaky" was noticed by a producer named Jack Good. Jack invited him to try out for his new musical show called Elvis! in London. The show told the story of Elvis's life, with three different actors playing him at different ages. Shakin' Stevens got one of the main roles, playing Elvis during his prime years.

The musical was very successful and ran for two years. During this time, Shakin' Stevens appeared on TV shows like Oh Boy! and Let's Rock. These TV appearances helped him become well-known. This led to his first big hit song, "Hot Dog".

1980s: Chart-Topping Hits

In late 1979, Shakin' Stevens started working with a new manager, Freya Miller. She suggested he focus on a solo career, without the Sunsets. This turned out to be a great idea!

In 1981, after having hits with "Hot Dog" and "Marie Marie", Shakin' Stevens got his first UK number one hit with "This Ole House". He then had 10 more songs reach the top five, including three more number one hits: "Green Door", "Oh Julie", and "Merry Christmas Everyone". Songs like "You Drive Me Crazy" and "A Love Worth Waiting For" also reached number two. His 1984 hit "Teardrops" featured the famous guitarist Hank Marvin. Shakin' Stevens often had other well-known musicians, like Albert Lee and Bonnie Tyler, play on his songs.

His album Shaky reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. This album included hits like "Green Door" (#1), "You Drive Me Crazy" (#2), and "It's Raining" (#10). Another album, Give Me Your Heart Tonight, reached number three.

In 1983, he released The Bop Won't Stop, which featured popular songs like "A Rockin' Good Way" (with Bonnie Tyler) and "A Love Worth Waiting For".

In November 1984, Shakin' Stevens released his first Greatest Hits album. It included new songs like "A Letter To You" and "Teardrops". This album reached number eight in the UK.

In the mid-1980s, he worked again with producer Dave Edmunds to record the album Lipstick, Powder and Paint. This album included the huge Christmas hit "Merry Christmas Everyone", which was a number one song in 1985. Its release was delayed by a year so it wouldn't compete with the charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid.

Even though Shakin' Stevens was very popular, he was not asked to perform at the Live Aid concert in 1985. His songs continued to be hits, but they started to chart lower in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also appeared in a TV advertisement for Heineken beer, where he stopped "shakin'" after drinking it.

His 1987 album Let's Boogie included the top five hit "What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes at Me For". He ended the 1980s with the song "Love Attack".

1990s: Christmas Album and a Break

Shakin' Stevens started the 1990s with songs like "I Might" and "Yes I Do" from his album There Are Two Kinds of Music... Rock 'n' Roll.

After releasing his 1991 album Merry Christmas Everyone and the song "Radio" in 1992, Shakin' Stevens took a long break from recording new music. He faced some legal issues about unpaid money from his early album A Legend. In 1999, he started performing live again and toured throughout that year and the next.

2000s: New Albums and Festivals

Stevens performing live

In 2004, he had a very successful album in Denmark and South Africa.

In 2005, Shakin' Stevens returned to the UK charts with his greatest hits album The Collection, which reached the top five. That same year, he appeared in the music video for "Is This the Way to Amarillo" by Tony Christie and Peter Kay. Shakin' Stevens also won the TV show Hit Me Baby One More Time. This led to his cover of "Trouble" reaching number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

This song was part of his 2006 album, Now Listen. This was his first new studio album since 1991. It included his own songs and covers of other artists' songs. Now Listen was a top ten hit in Denmark.

Shakin' Stevens performed at the 2008's Glastonbury Festival, which is a very big music festival. He was the first act on the main stage.

In 2008, a special "Shaky Week" was held on BBC Radio 2 to celebrate his 60th birthday. He also went on many concerts in the UK and Europe.

2010s: Health, Family History, and New Music

In 2010, Shakin' Stevens had a heart attack and spent two months in the hospital. He recovered fully and went on his 30th Anniversary Tour in 2011.

In 2013, he took part in a TV show called Coming Home, where he learned about his family's history and how the First World War affected them.

In 2015, he promoted his new Christmas song "Echoes of a Merry Christmas". The money from the song went to The Salvation Army.

In 2016, Shakin' Stevens released his 12th studio album, Echoes of Our Times. He then toured the UK in 2017. The album reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.

He performed a concert in Sri Lanka in 2018. In 2019, he recorded a live album with songs from his whole career. This album was released as part of a special box set called Fire in the Blood.

2020s: New Collections and Albums

In 2020, a large 19-CD collection called Fire in the Blood was released. It came with a smaller collection called Singled Out, which had 54 songs. Shakin' Stevens called this "the biggest project of my career."

Singled Out reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.

In 2023, Shakin' Stevens released a new album called Re-Set. It followed his Echoes of Our Times album. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 24.

In March 2023, Shakin' Stevens made a short appearance in the TV show The Cleaner as a character who was a tribute act to himself!

Personal Life

Shakin' Stevens married Carole Dunn in October 1967. They had three children: two sons, Jason and Dean, and a daughter, Paula. They divorced in 2009. Later, Stevens started a relationship with his manager, Sue Davies. He has said that she helped save his life when he had a heart attack in 2010.

Shakin' Stevens lives in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He is a big fan of the Welsh football team Cardiff City.

Discography

Awards and Recognition

Shakin' Stevens has won several awards for his music.

Variety Club of Great Britain Awards

TVTimes Awards

Brit Awards

Daily Mirror British Rock and Pop Awards

The Ivors Academy This group used to be called the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

Images for kids

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  Stevens in 2013

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  Stevens in 1976

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  Stevens performing live

See also

In Spanish: Shakin' Stevens para niños