Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers were a much-revered act on the teddy boy scene right up until the untimely death of their leader Cavan Grogan back in 2020. And so it is much in answer to the public adulation of this band that with Cavan’s son Joe taking the place of his father on vocals that the band was originally reunited for a one-off celebration of the great man’s music at a sellout-show in Newport earlier this year. Such was the support for the band that they have decided to keep going with Joe at the helm and find themselves fully booked until next April.

Typically, tonight’s venue is a working man’s club, the West Farnborough Social Club. Upon entry one is immediately struck by the smell of ham sandwiches and beer, one can imagine trays of the afore-mentioned ham sandwiches, pork pies and perhaps some egg and cress sandwiches as a concession to the communists. This is an environment where the men are men and the women are women. There is a somewhat surprisingly large contingent of teds in attendance tonight. One says ‘surprisingly’ as I struggle to see these primarily older teds fitting into everyday life. But, nevertheless, they are certainly here in numbers looking resplendent in their three-piece suits with drape jackets. The women come in all shapes and sizes, many of whom are drawn to the dancefloor during the set of support band the Rat Pack. I spy one lady who initially sparks images of Olivia Newton John’s ‘Sandy’ from Grease, replete with leatherette trousers and white crop top. When my vision zooms in, however, a sixty-year-old woman with orange leathery skin is revealed with peroxide blond hair who has her hair-styled in much the same fashion as Jimmy Savillle circa 1975. There is, of course, also a fair amount of ink on display amongst both the male and female guests.

The main attraction is greeted like a legion of returning, conquering soldiers and within moments we are transported back to the golden era of Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers with the band tearing it’s way through a set composed on classics including ‘Teddy Boy Boogie’, ‘My Bonnie’, ‘Old Black Joe’, ‘Teddy Boy Flick Knife Rock and Roll’, ‘My Little Sister’s Got a Motorbike’ and so many more as Lyndon Needs unleashes lead line after lead line with reckless abandon. In typical fashion the stage is invaded prior to the finale. Not surprisingly the band returns for an encore and leaves the crowd in a sense of uproar. Tonight, has been a welcome trip down memory lane and long may it continue – Long live the Rhythm Rockers!

Nick Kemp