Remember the UK Singer Shakin' Stevens? He had a #1 Christmas Hit (in the UK)

 If you listened to pop music radio in the 1980s, (when it was the best in my opinion), you may barely remember the singer named Shakin' Stevens. But people in the United Kingdom would know him in an instant. Like Cliff Richard (my favorite male singer, ever), Shakin' Stevens just never got the airplay in the U.S. (in both cases, very much our loss). He was a huge success there, and only had 1 hit in the U.S. Today's blog will tell you about him, his U.S. hit, and share the video of his big #1 UK Christmas song. Following the video is a Nov. 29, 2020 article from a Scottish newspaper about him.

WHO IS SHAKIN STEVENS? He's Michael Barratt (born 4 March 1948), known professionally as Shakin' Stevens. He's a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s. His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that his commercial success began.

HIS #1 CHRISTMAS SONG - MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - In the U.S.  we never heard this great song here (sadly), but I caught it on UK's Heart Radio on-line. Love this! Unfortunately, Shakin' Stevens only had 1 hit here in the U.S. called "This Ole' House" likely because record companies didn't promote him like they should have! So happy to discover this! Happy Christmas to all.

Shakin' Stevens' "Merry Christmas Everyone" video: https://youtu.be/N-PyWfVkjZc

Shakin' Stevens on THAT Christmas song, coronavirus and his Scottish fans

By Stacey Mullen  @journostace

WITH a career that has spanned four decades, it would seem singer Shakin’ Stevens knows a thing or two about longevity in the music business. Now 72, the Welsh star is back in the spotlight after combining his body of work for a new greatest hits collection described by him as a ‘retrospective of his solo career’. 

 And while many of his contemporaries have faded into music history, he appears to be back bigger than ever with the release of the 19-disc complete collection anthology Fire in the Blood and the definitive singles collection Singled Out.

“Hard work, really hard work is the secret to success,” beamed Shaky in his soft Welsh accent.

“I always wanted to sing. I came from a family where there was always music in the house.

“We could all kind of sing, it must have been in the water in Wales, I am not sure,” he laughed.

He added: “I was just determined. When I left school in those days you would get a job and give some money to your mum.

“But as time went on we decided to start a group, we had different names like The Denims, The Olympics and the Velvets – and it went on from there really.”

Although the singer – whose real name is Michael Barratt - started in bands in the late 60s including Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsets, it was in fact his solo career that caught the imagination of the British public.

Eighties Shaky became an instant hit with his double-denim look, Elvis-esque hairstyle, and pop classics This Ole House, You Drive Me Crazy and Marie Marie.

While that little known song Merry Christmas Everyone – released in 1985 – put him at the forefront of everyone’s festive playlists.

“You can’t please everyone but I think it is up there with the best of Christmas songs,” he said.

He added: “It charts every year not just in the UK but throughout Europe.

“I am very pleased with the song and you must know it was written by a Scottish guy Bob Heatlie.”