Rama Lama Ding Dong!

By The Newsroom
Published 17th Nov 2016, 16:03 BST
Updated 18th Nov 2016, 12:43 BST
Rocky Sharpe and the Replays, from left, Eric Rondo, Helen Highwater, Jan Podsiadly as Johnny Stud and Rob Podsiadly as Rocky SharpeRocky Sharpe and the Replays, from left, Eric Rondo, Helen Highwater, Jan Podsiadly as Johnny Stud and Rob Podsiadly as Rocky Sharpe
Rocky Sharpe and the Replays, from left, Eric Rondo, Helen Highwater, Jan Podsiadly as Johnny Stud and Rob Podsiadly as Rocky Sharpe

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A pop star of the '˜70s has used his old record company contacts to help raise thousands of pounds for the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home in Worthing.

Brighton-born Rob Podsiadly experienced stardom as lead singer of rock and roll band Rocky Sharpe and the Replays.

The group was made up of Rob as Rocky Sharpe, Helen Highwater, Eric Rondo and Rob’s brother, Jan Podsiadly, aka Johnny Stud.

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They first enjoyed commercial success in 1978 with their cover of the Edsels’ Rama Lama Ding Dong, reaching number 17 in the UK singles chart. They scored another top 20 hit in 1982 with Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out), a cover version of Ernie Maresca’s 1962 hit, and appeared five times on Top of the Pops.

Jan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concertJan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concert
Jan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concert

The band continued touring throughout the 1980s but Rob had to retire from the music business and a promising acting career after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Rob has been a resident at the Boundary Road home for disabled ex-servicemen and women for two years and his efforts have seen £6,750 donated to provide vital speech and language therapy there.

Part of the money came from a Spanish tribute concert, to which Jan was invited.

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Out of the blue, Spanish band Velvet Candles, which is based on Rocky Sharpe and the Replays, made contact and asked Jan to join them on stage.

Jan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concertJan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concert
Jan, Rob and Eddie Podsiadly with the cheque from the Spanish concert

The Podsiadly brothers discovered that, unbeknownst to them, their band had built a large following in Spain, thanks to their high energy, playful costumes and fun dance routines.

Jan said: “I was surprised but honoured to be invited. I went to Barcelona and we did a full gig, playing about ten songs, after one rehearsal together in the afternoon. It was incredible.

“We played to a sold-out crowd, who were all singing along and dancing. Some were even crying. It was crazy.

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“After the gig, people were coming up to me and asking for autographs, telling me how the band had changed their life. It was really emotional as I had no idea how much Rocky Sharpe and the