Shakatak, early 80s. Bill Sharpe, front.
Shakatak are an English jazz-funk band, founded in 1980. They had their first UK Top 20 single in 1981 with 'Easier Said than Done' followed by a string of hits in the early part of the decade. Albums also sold well, their most successful being 1982's Nightbirds. In the 1990s, the group had success in the US when two albums went to No 1 in the contemporary jazz charts. In Japan they were also awarded the Grammy for best international instrumental album six years running. The group continue to perform and record.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel had presumably known group founder member Bill Sharpe since he had worked as a studio manager for the BBC for six years before forming the band, hence when introducing Shakatak for the first time on Top of the Pops he states"..with my mate Bill Sharpe on the keyboards..Shakatak!". Introducing them as the final act on a show presented in April 1982 he says "...the fellow in the dreadful shirt is my mate Bill Sharpe", and again refers to him as "my mate Bill Sharpe wearing yet another truly hideous shirt" when presenting the group with their latest hit in July 1984. Both Peel and Sharpe appeared on the same edition of Round Table shortly after that on 03 August 1984. Sharpe also recorded material with former session artist Gary Numan in the latter part of the 80s.
Shows played[]
- None.
Top Of The Pops[]
Shakatak – Down On The Street (TOTP)
Peel/Vance introduce Shakatak on TOTP 12 July 1984
- 04 February 1982 (TOTP): Easier Said Than Done
- 01 April 1982 (TOTP): Night Birds
- 08 June 1983 (TOTP): Dark Is The Night
- 23 June 1983 (TOTP): Dark Is The Night
- 12 July 1984 (TOTP): Down On The Street