A shadow of tragedy looms over one of the most beloved and cheerful anthems of the 1970s, a secret that has remained unknown to legions of fans who danced and celebrated to its infectious beat. For millions, the 1975 smash hit “Three Steps To Heaven” by the Leicester teddy boys, Showaddywaddy, is a pure nostalgia trip, a sonic time machine back to school discos and the heady rush of first love. But behind the vibrant harmonies and high-energy performances lies a devastating story of a life cut brutally short, a story that forever changes the meaning of the song’s optimistic lyrics.
In the mid-70s, Showaddywaddy exploded onto the British music scene, a flash of colourful drape coats and crepe-soled shoes in an era dominated by glam rock and disco. Their masterful cover of “Three Steps To Heaven” soared to No. 2 on the UK charts, becoming an instant classic and a cornerstone of their electrifying live shows. They were the kings of retro, bringing the golden age of rock and roll roaring back to life. What the dancing crowds didn’t know, however, was that they were celebrating a song haunted by a ghost. The track was originally written and released by the American rock and roll pioneer Eddie Cochran, a contemporary of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The song became a posthumous hit for Cochran, released just before his tragic death in a horrific car accident in 1960 at the age of just 21.
“We heard it on the radio, at every party, every youth club,” recalls Michael Davies, now 68, who was a teenager when the song was a hit. “It was the sound of our youth, of dreaming about the future, of being with the girl you fancied. Years later, I read about Eddie Cochran. I was floored. To think that this song of pure joy was written by a young man who would never get to live out his own love story… it’s utterly heartbreaking. We were dancing to a beautiful eulogy and we never even knew it.”
The lyrics, “Just three steps to heaven / That’s where you are and I’ll be there,” suddenly take on a chilling and poignant double meaning. They are no longer just the words of a hopeful lover, but a haunting echo from a star taken from the world far too soon. Showaddywaddy’s genius was in transforming this personal tragedy into a universal celebration. Their version was not a mournful tribute but a joyous remembrance, a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of the music that Cochran had helped to create. Their string of hits, including “Under the Moon of Love” and the successful album ‘Trocadero’, solidified their place in music history. Yet, “Three Steps To Heaven” stands apart. It’s a masterclass in musical interpretation, a chart-topping sensation that carries an incredible emotional weight. It is a moment in time, a cherished memory set to music, and a vibrant, bittersweet reminder of the profound sadness that can hide behind the most joyful of melodies.
