Crazy Cavan 'n' the Rhythm Rockers

Crazy Cavan 'n' the Rhythm Rockers (also known as Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers, Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers, Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers) were a Welsh rockabilly band associated with the Teddy Boy scene. The band formed in 1970, and were still actively touring and recording before frontman Cavan Grogan's death in 2020.

Crazy Cavan 'n' the Rhythm Rockers
OriginNewport, South Wales
GenresRock and roll, rockabilly
Years active1970–2020
LabelsCrazy Rhythm, Charly
MembersLyndon Needs (lead guitar)
Terry Walley (rhythm guitar)
Graham Price (bass)
Mike Coffey (drums)
Past membersCavan Grogan (vocals) (deceased)
Vance Vincent (bass)
Don Kinsella (bass) (deceased)
Brian Thomas (piano) (deceased)
Websitecrazycavan.com

The band appeared in the 1980 film Blue Suede Shoes, which detailed the revival of 1950s rock and roll music scene at the time.

History

The first incarnation of the band was formed in Newport, South Wales, in 1964 by Cavan Grogan (vocals), Lyndon Needs (lead guitar) and Terry Walley (rhythm guitar) under the name "Screamin' Count Dracula and the Vampires".[1]

In 1968, joined by Brian Thomas (piano) and Don Kinsella (bass), they took the name "The Sundogs" which they borrowed from Alan Freed who was known as "Moondog" and combined it with their taste for Sun Records, a record label whose releases which they used to buy at that time.[2] Then in 1970, with the addition of Mike Coffey (drums), they took the name "Crazy Cavan 'n' the Rhythm Rockers", a name which has endured.[3]

In 1973, the band formed its own record label, Crazy Rhythm Records (named after their own description of their music) and released their debut single, "Teddy Boy Boogie" (backed with "Bop Little Baby"). In 1975, they released their first album Crazy Rhythm on the Dutch Rockhouse label. In 1976, they signed with Charly Records in the UK, and released their second album, Rockability.[4] The band continued to play live, their final performance being at the Annual Rockers Reunion in Reading on 18 January 2020.[5]

Cavan Grogan died on 15 February 2020, aged 70.[6] He left three children and three grandchildren.[1]

Discography

LPs
Year Album Label Notes
1975 Crazy Rhythm Rockhouse Re-released in 1981 by Charly[4]
1976 Rockability Charly
1977 Our Own Way of Rockin' Charly
1978 Live at the Rainbow Charly
1979 Red Hot 'N' Rockabilly Charly
1979 Still Crazy Crazy Rhythm Re-released in 1981 as Mr. Cool by Charly
1981 Cool and Crazy Rock-a-billy Big Beat/Polarvox
1981 Teddy Jive Charly
1982 Hey Teenager! Big Beat
1983 Live at Pickett's Lock Charly Reissued on CD in 2003 by Teddy Boy Power
1984 Rollin' Through The Night Big Beat/Virgin Reissued on CD in 1999 by Crazy Rhythm
1989 Rough Tough 'N' Ready Crazy Rhythm Also on CD
1990 Crazy Times Instant Also on CD
1996 It's Wild, It's Weird, It's Crazy Crazy Rhythm Also on CD
2012 Rollin 'n' Rockin Goofin Also on CD by Crazy Rhythm

CDs
Year CD Label
2001 Rhythm Rockin' Blues (with Linda Gail Lewis) Crazy Rhythm Records
2008 C'mon, Let's F***in' Rock Crazy Rhythm Records
2015 The Real Deal Crazy Rhythm

Contemporary influences

Further reading
  • Ferris, Ray; Lord, Julian (2012). Teddy Boys: A Concise History. Milo Books. ISBN 978-1-908479-18-1.

References
  1. Moody, Tom (21 February 2020). "'Inspirational, unique, selfless': Family pays tribute to Newport music legend Cavan Grogan". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. Louise Barrell. "Interview Crazy Cavan". Rockandroll.gr. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  3. "History", Crazycavan.com; retrieved 16 February 2020.
  4. "Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers". Rockabilly Chronicle. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  5. O'Neill, Ryan (21 February 2020). "Tributes paid to Wales 'original rock 'n' roll rebel'". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  6. "Cavan 18th February 1949 - 15th February 2020", Crazycavan.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020
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