The Shadows are the biggest-selling instrumental act of all time in the UK and the group with the longest span of chart hits.
The early history of the Shadows is well
documented in Bruce's autobiography, Mike Read's
"The Story of the Shadows" and
elsewhere. Early in 1958, sixteen year-olds Hank and Bruce travelled from Newcastle to London as part of a group
"the Railroaders" to enter a talent contest in which they were to achieve third
place behind a jazz band and an opera singer. (Also in the contest was a London group
"the Velvets" with a drummer called Brian Bennett).
After the contest, the other Railroaders returned to Newcastle but Hank and Bruce decided to stay
and seek their fortune in the Capital.
Teaming up with 3 others they had met
at the contest, they became part of the "Five Chesternuts" led by drummer Pete
Chester, son of radio comedian Charlie. They made one single (Teenage love/ Jean Dorothy)
and appeared on TV's "6.5 Special" but fame was still a little way off.
Later that year, Cliff Richard, who was enjoying chart success with
his first single (Move it) was booked to appear on tour with the American duo "The
Kalin Twins". His manager went to the 2I's coffee bar in Soho to check out Tony
Sheridan as a possible lead guitarist for his backing group "The Drifters".
Instead, he signed up Hank and Bruce
for the tour.
Jet Harris was also on the tour, as part of the backing for the Most Brothers. He guested with the Drifters for some appearances during the tour and, in October, replaced Ian Samwell on bass.
In February 1959, drummer, Terry Smart, left the group and Tony Meehan became the fourth member of the famous line up: HANK - BRUCE - JET and TONY
Besides backing Cliff,
the Drifters began to release singles on their own, the first being two vocal numbers
Feelin' Fine/Don't be a Fool with Love. The second pairing the instrumentals Jet
Black/Driftin', Jet Black being unusual in having Jet's bass as the lead guitar.
When American group 'The Drifters' obtained an injunction preventing the group from using their name in the USA, Feelin' fine was withdrawn there after a few days whilst on Jet Black, they were listed as 'The Four Jets'. In July, to prevent further confusion, their name was changed to THE SHADOWS
The first release under their new name was another unsuccessful vocal pairing, 'Saturday Dance/ Lonesome Fella'. Things changed dramatically, however, when composer Jerry Lordan passed his latest tune to the Shadows.
Apache topped the UK charts for six weeks and was a world-wide hit except in America where lack of promotion led to the Shadows' version being overlooked whilst a cover version by Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann took the sales. Shortly afterwards, the Ventures became established and cornered the US instrumental market.
Apache was the first of a series of hits. Their next record to miss the charts wasn't until September 1967 (Tomorrow's cancelled) - a run of more than seven years. Between 1960 and 1963, the group enjoyed 5 UK number one hits, Apache, Kon-Tiki, Wonderful Land, Dance On and Foot Tapper.
Their debut LP in 1961 was the first by any group
and the first by any British artist (including Cliff) to top the UK Album charts. The
Shadows became the model for the 1960's groups by being successful in their own right,
rather than simply being 'the backing band'. They even left their mark on a Liverpool
group working the clubs of Hamburg. 'Cry for a Shadow' was one of only two instrumentals
recorded by the Beatles.
In September 1961, at the height of the group's popularity, came a change of personnel. Tony Meehan was a very good drummer, but he was replaced by the best in the business - Brian Bennett.
Jet left the group the following April, to be replaced by Brian Locking who had previously been a member of the Marty Wilde's Wild Cats and the Krew Cats with Brian Bennett.
Despite the rise of the Beatles, and losing half their line-up, 1963 was a very good year for the Shadows. Their popularity seemed unaffected with numbers such as Foot Tapper and Guitar Tango continuing their run of chart success. They also appeared in several guises in the film Summer Holiday.
When Licorice left to follow his religious work in November 1963, the remaining Shadows were joined by John Rostill in a line up which lasted until 1968.
Whilst continuing to back Cliff on tours and records, this line-up produced five albums (Dance with the Shadows; Sound of the Shadows; Shadow Music, Jigsaw and From Hank, Bruce, Brian and John). As well as appearing in Cliff's worst (Wonderful Life) and best (Finders Keepers) Films.
The Shadows wrote all the songs for
Finder's Keepers. They also co-starred in and composed the scores for Cliff's pantomimes
"Aladdin" and "Cinderella".
They even appeared (in puppet form) in the 1966 movie "Thunderbirds are Go".
1968 saw celebrations to mark Cliff and the
Shadows' 10th anniversary, including the album "Established 1958". But the
pressure of working at the highest level for so long had taken its toll and as a result of
mounting tensions within the group they decided to split up.
The line-up of Hank Bruce Brian and John played together for the last time on 19th December 1968 at the London Palladium.
The Shadows re-assembled temporarily in 1969 with Alan Hawkshaw replacing Bruce. The group toured Britain and Japan, producing one of their best ever singles "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" and probably their worst ever album "Shades of Rock". A live album was recorded at Japan's Sankei Hall.
At this time, Brian and Hank both released solo albums and singles. With little success in the UK although "Sacha" topped the Australian charts for six weeks.
last edited 14 October 2000