The Shadows

The Shadows were a British instrumental rock 'n' roll group active from the 1950s to the 2000s.

1950s

Formed initially as a backing band for Cliff Richard, they took the name The Drifters until finding out that there was already a thriving American band with that name. The original members were Terry Smart on drums, Ken Pavey, Norman Mitham on guitar, Ian Samwell on bass and Cliff Richard on guitar and vocals.

Related Topics:
Cliff Richard - The Drifters

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The name was changed to Cliff Richard and the Drifters shortly after first manager Ian Foster discovered the group, and they were quickly signed up for an appearance on Jack Good's Oh Boy television series. The Drifters were then considered to be the group members without Cliff, but they were not thought to be strong enough musicians by Norrie Paramor, director of recordings at Columbia Records. He asked Ian Foster to recruit a better guitarist, and Foster went back to Soho's 2is coffee bar (then famed for the strength of musical talent performing there, particularly in skiffle groups) in search of guitarist Tony Sheridan. Sheridan was not there but his attention was caught by another musician, who was tall, good looking, played guitar well and even had Buddy Holly style glasses.

Related Topics:
Norrie Paramor - Columbia Records - Soho - Tony Sheridan - Buddy Holly

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Guitarist and singer Hank Marvin was playing in a skiffle band with his friend Bruce Welch. The pair had travelled from Newcastle to London to become musicians and were at the time surviving on very little money. Foster offered Hank the job and he accepted on condition that his friend Bruce would also be allowed to join. Foster could see that the pair worked well together and the two were employed as lead and rhythm guitarist respectively. Drummer Terry Smart left shortly after this and was replaced by Tony Meehan. Jet Harris was soon added on bass guitar. Bass guitar was an unusual instrument for a British group at the time, and most bands still used more cumbersome upright double basses or even tea chest basses.

Related Topics:
Hank Marvin - Bruce Welch - Tony Meehan - Jet Harris - Double bass - Tea chest bass

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The group started recording and performing with Cliff Richard

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and released two singles in their own right in 1959. (Feelin' Fine/Don't Be A Fool With Love) and (Jet Black/Driftin), The first two tracks were vocal numbers and the second pair were instrumental. Neither disc charted. After the name change to the Shadows, a further (Vocal) disc was released (Saturday Dance/Lonesome Fella), and again this failed to chart. Then, in 1960, the band released Apache, an instrumental by Jerry Lordan, which was to top the charts for several weeks. Four further number one hit singles followed, together with several more as Cliff Richard's band.

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