Romeo Alexander Challenger (born 19 May 1950) is an Antiguan-born English musician. He has been the drummer for the rock band Showaddywaddy since 1973 and seminal progressive rock band Black Widow.
Romeo Challenger | |
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Birth name | Romeo Alexander Challenger |
Born | St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands | 19 May 1950
Origin | Leicester, England |
Genres | Rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Drums |
Years active | 1971–present |
Biography
Challenger was born 19 May 1950 in St. John's, Antigua, British Leeward Islands.[1][2] In 1955, he moved with his family to England.[3] He began playing the drums as a teenager in the mid-1960s.[3]
He played in several groups, including progressive rock/hard rock band Black Widow in the early 1970s.[3] In 1973, he became one of two drummers (The other being Malcolm Allured) for the rock and roll band Showaddywaddy.[3] Showaddywaddy had ten singles reach the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, including the 1976 number-one "Under the Moon of Love".[2]
Challenger played in the Leicester Boys' football team with Peter Shilton and Jeff Blockley,[4] who both went on to enjoy professional careers.
Challenger is the father of high jumper Ben Challenger, who won a silver medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and a bronze medal four years later;[5] and Tamzin Challenger, a musician best known for her material with bassline producer T2.[citation needed]