|
|
|
|
|
The ShadowsThe Shadows A rock band most popular in the late 1950s and 1960s, but enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the late 1970s. They began during the 1950s under the name "The Drifters". The band initially comprised Cliff Richard (lead vocals/guitar), Norman Mitham (guitar), Terry Smart (drums). The formation of the band It was suggested to the group that they put a name out in front of the group's title, as this was the common thing at the time, and hence 'Cliff Richard and the Drifters' came about. The group gained a contract and went into Abbey Road Studios to record their first record in 1958. They were given a non-rocking number called 'Schoolboy Crush' to record, but were allowed to record one of their own for the B-side. This was "Move It", written by Ian "Sammy" Samwell, who was the first new member of the group. (Samwell had joined as lead guitarist). There are a number of stories about why the A-side song was replaced by the B-side. One of these stories says that their producer Norrie Paramor, played the record to his daughter, and she raved about the B-side song instead of the A-side. Another possible reason for the flip was that influential tv producer Jack Good, who grabbed the act for his tv show "Oh Boy!", said the song to be sung on his show had to be "Move It!" The single was flipped and went to number 2 in the charts. The importance and influence of this song is legendary in British Rock music. John Lennon said, "I think the first English record that was anywhere near anything was 'Move It' by Cliff Richard, and before that there'd been nothing." A gradual change in the line up eventually left Cliff as the only remaining original member. First of all Mitham left, then Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch joined on guitars, and Jet Harris replaced Samwell on bass (Samwell had shifted to bass when Marvin took on the Lead guitar role). The final original member lost was Terry Smart. As Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch gradually emerged in the band, some very significant 'lucky events' happened, for the band, and also for the world. Popular music could have followed a completely different course if it were not for an accidental meeting one day in Soho. On that day, Cliff's manager, John Foster, was looking for a new lead guitarist. He went back to the 2I's where the Drifters and various other later members had played. He was looking for someone, and if he had found him, the Beatles may never have been discovered. The man being sought was Tony Sheridan, whom the Drifters knew, and who later played with the Beatles in Hamburg. The Beatles' recording session with him indirectly led to the Beatles getting their recording contract. Strangely, Tony wasn't there when Foster arrived, and Foster was in a hurry and couldn't wait long. Foster was then told of a guy who was a brilliant guitarist, who also looked like Buddy Holly, so Foster met Hank Marvin. Hank then said that he would only agree to join the band if his friend Bruce Welch could come too, and so on that day, Foster day recruited the new nucleus of the Drifters. Hank did not play the famous guitar riff on Move It. The guitar on the recording was provided by session musician Ernie Shears, although a near-contemporary live recording of the song on the album entitled 'Cliff' showcases Hank's version of the riff. Tony Meehan and Jet Harris eventually left the group and recorded as solo artists, but more successfully as a duo, achieving a number 1 in the UK Singles Charts with Diamonds. One member of Jet and Tony's band was John Paul Jones, later member of Led Zeppelin (who at times recorded with Cliff and the Shadows). Jimmy Page also recorded with them. A serious accident coupled with health and personal problems halted Jet's success, but he later re-emerged with Jeff Beck (Yardbirds), Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), and Rod Stewart (Faces); however this group didn't last long. In 1961, Brian Bennett from Marty Wilde's Wilde Cats replaced Tony Meehan on drums, and in 1962 Brian "Liquorice" Locking (also from the Wilde Cats) replaced Jet Harris on bass. Soon after, John Rostill replaced Locking on bass. Later on the Shadows used a number of other people in studio recordings and stage such as Alan Tarney, however their other official member was John Farrar, who was part of the Shadows, Marvin and Farrar, and Marvin Welch and Farrar. Farrar was like a breath of fresh air, bringing new ideas and sounds to the group, as well as a third lead vocalist. It says something for the generosity of Hank Marvin that he allowed Farrar to share lead guitar duties on many tracks, producing the notable instrumental album Rockin' With Curly Leads. Farrar also wrote and co-wrote songs with The Shadows, and also co-produced. The established years In the period between 1958-1963, Cliff Richard and the Shadows were the biggest thing in Britain. They toured the United States and stole the show even over all of the accompanying American acts of the time. The problem was that the record company didn't get behind them strongly enough with distributing albums etc. and so the chances were lost. It was the same with their appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show (which was responsible for much of the Beatles' success, but didn't really help Cliff and the Shadows). Cliff and the Shadows basically re-wrote convention in British recording companies and opened EMI up to the importance and strength of rock 'n' roll. It was due to them that Parlophone were looking for a 'second' Cliff and the Shadows, and eventually took the Beatles. Most well known groups of the 1960s and 1970s started off as imitators of Cliff and the Shadows, singing and playing only Cliff and the Shadows' material, even to the extent of copying their dance steps. Groups were even trained by following how they did things. The Beatles were taken to Cliff and the Shadows concerts and instructed about clothes/ stage presence and various other things, and being of the same fold at Abbey Road, were good friends with the band. Paul McCartney originally wrote 'Here There And Everywhere' as a Shadows Song, and the Lennon-Harrison instrumental 'Cry For A Shadow' was clearly inspired by the band. The Shadows would later cover several Beatles tracks and also recorded a song 'Liverpool Days' about the Beatles and their work. Cliff and the Shadows appeared in a number of films, most notably in The Young Ones (which would give its name to 1980s TV sitcom (The Young Ones), Summer Holiday, Wonderful Life and Finders Keepers. Arguably, Cliff's best lead role took place in the mid-late '60s film "Two a Penny", which saw Cliff as a young man who gets involved in drug dealing while questioning his life after his girlfriend changes in her attitudes. The film was not a commercial success, but is very popular with aficionados. Cliff was led to record sometimes without the Shadows, mainly to cater for other styles, and this helped to give people the incorrect view that Cliff was now separate and the Shadows merely backed HIS songs. In fact, a great number of the songs sung by Cliff and the Shadows were written by the Shadows (and sometimes Cliff). In 1960, the Shadows (though having previously recorded as the Drifters without Cliff) released 'Apache', which saw the birth of British rock guitar instrumental music. Again, although people claim the distinction between Cliff and the Shadows, it was still Cliff and the Shadows, as Cliff played un-credited bongo drums on the recording, but didn't put his name to it. The record set the Shadows on a path of their own, and soon became the greatest instrumental group of all time. Throughout the '60s, Cliff and the Shadows stayed at the top, even at the height of Mersey music, however they did not have the advantage the new acts had of being able to release music and having it go directly to the USA as well. The Beatles had became huge once America took to them, and this in turn opened up the path across the Atlantic. During the 1970s, Cliff became heavily involved in tv shows, like 'It's Cliff Richard', many of which also starred Hank Marvin in comedy sketches. The tv shows made Cliff into a tv personality and not necessarily primarily a recording singer. He was in everyone's homes, and gave enjoyment to all the family, and although still recording and being successful, Cliff and others like his former Shadow Bruce Welch decided that they would once again bring Cliff out as a "rock" artist again. The collaboration produced the landmark Cliff album "I'm Nearly Famous", which brought about the classic rock guitar driven track "Devil Woman" and the haunting "Miss You Nights",. It wasn't just Cliff and the fans who were excited that the man who had begun and led British rock from the start, was back in strength, but also a host of big music names. People like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Elton John began being seen sporting big "I'm Nearly Famous" badges on their clothes, so pleased that their icon was getting heavily back into the heavy rock that he began his career in. A number of other strong albums were produced, and in 1979 he went to number one with We Don't Talk Anymore, produced by Bruce Welch and written by former Shadow Alan Tarney. The Shadows split in 1968, leading to a commercially successful Japanese tour (which Hank Marvin says he did 'for the Yen') though this was not an artistic success due to the absence of Bruce Welch on rhythm guitar. This did however lead to the first performances of the shadows with a live keyboard player, something they have stuck with ever since, even after Bruce re-joined. The Shadows reunited with Cliff in 1978 and 1984 and 1988 for more concerts, and toured and recorded frequently throughout the 1980s. Current status of the band members - Cliff Richard - Cliff reached the pinnacle of his career when he was knighted. He also appeared in the 2002 list of 100 Great Britons (sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public). The Ultimate Pop Star, a Channel 4 programme screened in 2004, revealed that Cliff Richard had sold more singles in the UK than any other music artist, ahead of the Beatles in second place and Elvis Presley in third. Sir Cliff now has his own vineyard and wine label, a line of perfume, and has become joint owner of the Arora International Hotel in Manchester, which opens in June 2004.
- Ian Samwell - Ian Samwell went on to become a very influential writer and producer, recording the Small Faces first album and also producing artists like Georgie Fame, John Mayall, and America.
- Tony Meehan - Tony Meehan went on to become a producer and A&R man for Decca, and was also present in the control room when the Beatles auditioned for Decca's Mike Smith (A&R man). The Beatles were impressed to meet Meehan but eventually Smith turned them down.
He also produced and wrote for the Who's Roger Daltrey. - Brian Bennett - Brian Bennett went on to play with many stars such as Ella Fitzgerald and compose music for television, most famously, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.
- John Rostill - John Rostill went on to write for Olivia Newton-John and also play with others, until his death in 1973.
- John Farrar - John Farrar wrote for and produced Olivia Newton-John and also write the music with Tim Rice for Cliff's '90s stage musical "Heathcliff". He also wrote the music for the celebrated film Grease.
Reunion In 2004, The Shadows did their final tour in Britain (37 concerts). The last one, at London's Palladium, concluded their 45 year career. After having not performed as Cliff and the Shadows since 1989/1990, Cliff joined the Shadows on stage on June 14, 2004, at the London Palladium. A further (European) farewell tour is planned for 2005. Also at this time, it was revealed that Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett were to receive the O.B.E. Marvin declined the same offer for personal reasons. Selected Discography From British Hit Singles & Albums, 17th Edition (Except Life Story) Albums - 1961 The Shadows (UK #1)
- 1962 Out Of The Shadows (UK #1)
- 1963 Greatest Hits (UK #2)
- 1964 Dance With The Shadows (UK #2)
- 1965 The Sound Of The Shadows (UK #4)
- 1966 Shadow Music (UK #5)
- 1967 Jigsaw (UK #8)
- 1970 Shades Of Rock (UK #30)
- 1974 Rockin' With Curly Leads (UK #45)
- 1975 Specs Appeal (UK #30)
- 1977 20 Golden Greats (UK #1)
- 1979 String Of Hits (UK #1)
- 1980 Another String of Hot Hits (UK #16)
- 1980 Change Of Address (UK #17)
- 1981 Hits Right Up Your Street (UK #15)
- 1982 Life In The Jungle/Live At Abbey Road (UK #24)
- 1983 XXV (UK #34)
- 1984 20 Original Greats
- 1984 Guardian Angel (UK #98)
- 1986 Moonlight Shadow (UK #6)
- 1987 Simply Shadows (UK #11)
- 1989 Steppin' To The Shadows (UK #11)
- 1989 At Their Very Best (UK #12)
- 1990 Reflection (UK #5)
- 1991 Themes And Dreams (UK #21)
- 1993 Shadows In The Night - 16 Classic Tracks (UK #22)
- 1994 The Best Of Hank Marvin And The Shadows (UK #19)
- 1997 Play Andrew Lloyd Webber And Tim Rice (UK #41)
- 1997 Very Best Of Hank Marvin And The Shadows - The First 40 Years (UK #56)
- 1998 50 Golden Greats (UK #35)
- 2004 Life Story (UK #7)
Singles - 1960 Apache (Reached Number One)
- 1960 Man Of Mystery/The Stranger
- 1961 FBI
- 1961 The Frightened City
- 1961 Kon Tiki (Reached Number One)
- 1961 The Savage
- 1962 Wonderful Land (Reached Number One)
- 1962 Guitar Tango
- 1962 Dance On (Reached Number One)
- 1963 Foot Tapper (Reached Number One)
- 1963 Atlantis
- 1963 Shindig
- 1963 Geronimo
- 1964 Theme For Young Lovers
- 1964 The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Bunt
- 1964 Rhythm And Greens
- 1964 Genie With The Light Brown Lamp
- 1965 Mary Anne
- 1965 Stingray
- 1965 Don't Make My Baby Blue
- 1965 The War Lord
- 1966 I Met A Girl
- 1966 A Place In The Sun
- 1966 The Dreams I Dream
- 1967 Maroc 7
- 1975 Let Me Be The One
- 1978 Don't Cry For Me Argentina
- 1979 Theme From 'The Deer Hunter' (Cavatina)
- 1980 Riders In The Sky
- 1980 Equinoxe Part V
- 1981 The Third Man
This does not include collaborations with Cliff Richard, nor solo recordings, nor those made under the name Marvin Welch & Farrar. Only records which charted are listed. External links Shadows, The
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|