Dave Bartram’s Rare 1983 Single Reveals a Different Side of the Showaddywaddy Star
For many music fans, Dave Bartram will always be closely associated with the timeless rock and roll sound that helped make Showaddywaddy one of Britain’s most recognizable bands. Yet a little known solo release from 1983 continues to attract attention for showing a very different musical direction from the singer.
Released as a rare standalone single, Black Ice stands apart from the style that audiences had come to expect from Bartram during his years with Showaddywaddy. Rather than revisiting the nostalgic rock and roll influences that defined much of the group’s success, the song embraces a more contemporary pop rock sound that reflected the changing musical landscape of the early 1980s.
The contrast has long been one of the song’s most fascinating qualities. Those familiar with Bartram’s work in Showaddywaddy often express surprise when first encountering Black Ice. The track carries a modern production style and atmosphere that feels far removed from the retro inspired music that established his reputation. Instead, it presents an artist willing to explore new creative territory and experiment with a different musical identity.
This sense of transition is one reason the recording remains noteworthy decades after its release. The song gives the impression of a performer looking beyond past achievements and searching for a new chapter in his career. While it may not resemble the classic Showaddywaddy sound, that very difference has become part of its appeal. The recording offers a glimpse of Bartram as an artist prepared to step outside familiar expectations and take a fresh musical path.
Adding to the single’s significance is the involvement of Mike Smith, who contributed piano and backing vocals to the recording. His participation helped shape the song’s distinctive sound and added another layer of musical depth to the project.
Although Black Ice never became one of Dave Bartram’s best known recordings, it remains an intriguing piece of his musical legacy. More than four decades later, the rare single continues to be appreciated as a unique moment in his career, capturing an artist unafraid to explore new possibilities while leaving behind a recording that still invites discovery.