The Shadows started out under the name The Drifters before changing it to avoid confusion with the similarly labelled American group. Original members were Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch on guitars with Jet Harris (bass) and Tony Meehan (drums).
Initially, The Shadows were the backing band for the Cliff RichardShow but achieved fame on their own with the instrumental hit, Apache. More UK #1 hits followed with Kontiki, Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Foot Tapper and Dance On. Harris and Meehan left the band and were replaced by John Rostill and Brian Bennett respectively. The band continued on the coattails of Cliff Richard’s success providing music and vocals to his tracks.
The Shadows’ famous sound is attributed to guitarist Marvin’s novel and often imitated use of echo, muting and reverb techniques. They also are well-known for developing what is termed “The Shadows’ Walk” which is a series of movements the band would incorporate during live performances using their guitars in synchronised poses that would accentuate the tempo of the music. This type of movement has been copied by many bands including Showaddywaddy.
Outside of the 60s decade, The Shadows have reunited for special occasions like 1975’s Eurovision Song Contest, compilation albums and most recently a Cliff Richard anniversary tour.
Original members included Jet Harris (born Terence Hawkins, July 6, 1939, Kingsbury, Middlesex, England; left group, April 1962), bass; Hank B. Marvin (born Brian Robson Rankin, October 28, 1941, New-castle-Upon-Tyne, England), lead guitar; Tony Meehan (born Daniel Meehan, March 2,1943, Hampstead, England; left group, October 1961), drums; Bruce Welch (born Bruce Cripps, November 2,1941, Bognor Regis, Sussex, England), rhythm guitar. Later members included Brian Bennett (born February 9, 1940, London; joined band, October 1961; left band, c. 1990), drums; John Farrar (born November 8, 1945, Australia), bass, guitar, and vocals; Brian Locking (born December 22, 1940, Bedworth, Coventry, England), bass, harmonica; John Rostill (born Kings Norton, Birmingham, England, June 16, 1942; died, November 26, 1973), bass.
Band formed as the Five Chesternuts, c. 1958; became the backing band for successful British pop singer Cliff Richard under the name the Drifters, c. 1958-68; Signed to EMI Columbia as the Drifters, c. 1959; renamed themselves the Shadows, 1959; released "Apache," which stayed at the U. K. pop charts for six weeks at No. 1, 1960; released debut album The Shadows, 1961; The Shadows Greatest Hits, 1963; disbanded, 1968; reformed by Marvin, 1969; bassist John Rostill was electrocuted to death by his guitar, 1973; hit the top 20 for the first time in ten years with "Let Me Be the One," 1975; disbanded, 1990.
Awards: Ivor Novello Award, British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, 1983.
Addresses: Record company—EMD Music Distribu tion, 21700 Oxnard St., Suite #700, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
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