cardiff teenager michael barratt (later shakin stevens) was a fan of the backbeats, and sometimes performed a guest vocal with the band. he became referred to as 'rockin' louie ii'. by the mid 1960s however, barratt had formed his own rock band, named the olympics, then the cossacks, then finally the denims, who became a support act to the backbeats. when the denims broke up, barratt formed a new group named the rebels. paul barrett reluctantly went to see the rebels after a recommendation early in 1969. although unimpressed with the band, barrett saw something in their young singer. he offered to manage michael barratt on the condition that he left the rebels and, secondly, find a new stage name. barratt agreed, left the rebels and renamed himself shakin' stevens.