Songfacts®:

• "Rock With The Caveman" was the song that launched the career of Tommy Steele. Co-written by Steele, Lionel Bart and future TV actor Mike Pratt, it was released on the Decca label by Tommy Steele And The Steelmen backed by "Elevator Rock."
• Cliff Richard often slagged off this song when it came up discussions about the early years of Rock and Roll. "Tommy Steele was making records then but his were pseudo rock," he said. "I think Tommy would have to admit that he was not actually a rock singer." >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
• "Rock with the Caveman" was the first British rock and roll record to enter the UK Top 20.
• Tommy Steele was backed by the Steelmen, a band featuring some fine jazzmen including saxophone player Ronnie Scott.
• Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt were subsequently invited to write the songs for the 1957 film The Tommy Steele Story, whose soundtrack album was the first by a British-based act to reach #1 in the UK. In addition, "Butterfingers," "Water Water" and "A Handful Of Songs" from the movie were all UK Top 10 hits. The pair later co-wrote Steele's famous 1959 novelty hit "Little White Bull."
  
  Lionel Bart went on to write Lock Up Your Daughters (1959), which ended the US domination of the musical theatre in London and Oliver (1960). Meanwhile, Pratt turned his talents to acting and in 1969, he was chosen to star in the TV series Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), where he played rugged detective Jeff Randall.