Tommy Roe Biography
9 May 1942, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Vocalist Roe began his career with high school act, the Satins. The group performed several of his compositions, notably "Sheila", which they recorded in 1960. The single was unsuccessful, but Roe revived the song two years later upon securing a solo deal. This Buddy Holly-influenced rocker topped the US chart, and reached the Top 3 in Britain where the artist enjoyed considerable popularity. Roe scored two Top 10 hits in 1963 with "The Folk Singer" and "Everybody" and, although not a major chart entry, "Sweet Pea" garnered considerable airplay through the auspices of pirate radio. The song reached the US Top 10, as did its follow-up, "Hooray For Hazel", but Roe's biggest hit came in 1969 when "Dizzy" topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The singer enjoyed further success with "Heather Honey" and "Jam Up Jelly Tight", but for much of the 70s he opted to pursue a low-key career in his home state. Roe did attempt a "comeback" with Energy and Full Bloom, but subsequently plied the nostalgia circuit. Memories of his past success were resurrected when "Dizzy" returned to the top of the UK charts in 1992 in a version by the Wonder Stuff and comedian/actor Vic Reeves.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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