The pair formed their own record label shortly thereafter, Rockney, before embarking on a tour supporting the British doo wop revival act the Darts, with drummer Mick Burt in tow. The duo's first EMI album, Rockney (1978), with its single " Strummin'," started to build a following for Chas & Dave, but their real breakthrough came in the wake of a performance at a pub where they were seen by advertising man John Webster, who thought their sound and image, and a particular song they were doing called "Gertcha," were all perfect for a campaign he was about to begin for Courage beer.

The song, slowed down and with new lyrics, became part of an excruciatingly funny commercial that boosted sales of Courage Best and earned the duo a wide national following for the first time -- and "Gertcha" became a national phenomenon. Other Courage Best commercials, even more amusing than the first and built around the Chas & Dave singles "Margate" and "Rabbit," among others, followed over the next 18 months. In the process, the duo and its records were embraced by the nation's beer drinkers and television viewers -- "Rabbit" would climb to number eight in the winter of 1980; the football anthem "Ossie's Dream" hit number five in the spring of 1981; and "Ain't No Pleasing You" barely missed hitting the top of the charts, peaking at number two in the spring of 1982.

Ensuing singles failed to match the success of their predecessors, until 1986's "Snooker Loopy" hit number six on the charts. But the single would prove to be their last hit, as the duo appeared to focus on other interests soon after, including running a pub along with sporadic TV appearances and live shows. Chas & Dave returned in the early 21st century with such old-time rock & roll releases as 2000's You're Never Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, 2001's Rock 'n' Roll Party, and 2002's The World of Chas & Dave, Vol. 2. ~ Greg Prato & Bruce Eder