DUST off those shoulder pads, tease that hair and dig out the Frankie T-shirt...Gary Davies is bringing the Eighties party to Bradford.
The host of BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s show will be at St George’s Hall next week with his Disco for Grown Ups 80s Party. It’s Gary’s biggest UK tour to date - delivering an “unstoppable, high-energy 80s party, packed with iconic hits and floor-shaking anthems from the decade that defined pop culture”.
The audience is encouraged to ‘dress 80s’ - it’s pretty much obligatory - for the party night taking us back to the era of big hair, leg-warmers, pixie boots, ra-ra skirts and razor sharp shoulder pads.
There’ll be dancers, confetti showers, lights, lasers, mirror balls and 80s classics from the likes of Wham!, Erasure, ABBA, Whitney, Aha, Queen, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Human League, Madonna, Eurythmics and Soft Cell.
Gary Davies’ childhood dream to work for BBC Radio not only came true, it teed up a 40-year career. It came full circle in 2018 after a rousing audience response to him sitting in for both Sara Cox and Steve Wright on Radio 2. He was asked to take the helm of BBC Radio 2’s coveted Sounds Of The 80s Show. It had been 23 years since he left Radio 1, but his passion for 80s music remained undimmed.
Back in the Eighties Gary championed many of the acts he now plays on his show. He was one of the first to offer mainstream support to the likes of U2, Chris Rea, Deacon Blue, Tears For Fears and Simple Minds and, constantly seeking out new music, he helped to define the sounds of the 80s.
As well as playing the mega hits, he found space for more unusual acts; discovering the Gypsy Kings while on holiday in
Ibiza and playing them on his radio show, which led to them getting a UK record deal.
Starting out at Piccadilly Radio in Manchester, Gary got his break at Radio 1 in 1982, presenting a late-night weekend show before taking over the lunchtime show, which he called The Bit In The Middle. With plenty of freedom around the playlist, he sought out the “brightest and best music” for his audience.
He became a regular presenter on Top Of The Pops, hosting the much-loved TV show more often than any other DJ in the 1980s. His ‘Woo Gary Davies’ radio jingle made him a household name, and his self-coined catchphrase, ‘Young, Free and Single’, captured his easy rapport with his audience and star guests.
Gary Davies is bringing the hits to the St George's Hall dancefloor
(Image: Image submitted)
By 1992, Gary had moved to Radio 1’s weekend breakfast show. He went on to start his own music company, Good Groove, specialising in finding new music and connecting the public with it. Leeds singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae was among the talent he discovered.
With Eighties music popular on the nostalgia circuit, Gary’s love for the decade is personal. “The 80s were the most memorable days of my life. I helped pioneer so many 80s records and still have huge love for the most creative decade in music,” he says.
- Gary Davies Discos for Grown Ups 80s Party is at St George’s Hall on Friday, September 4. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk