A couple months ago, YouTube suggested I watch a video exposing five guitarists who influenced David Gilmour. He wasn't a participant, all the material was curated from various interviews, and was not terribly memorable. Just now, I couldn't find it to review for this post.
The only surprise, and the one I remember was Hank Marvin, of The Shadows. The implication being that anyone who plays guitar should be familiar with their music, and especially his playing. That the Shadows were the biggest band in England before The Beatles, and had influenced all the future household names caught my attention. I knew of them, but couldn't have come up with any song titles.
I ran a search and found this:
From 1960, this video absolutely knocked me out. Tom Verlaine had recently passed, and this clip reminds me very much of his playing on 1992's instrumental album "Warm And Cool".
I ordered a 3 CD box of The Shadows from Amazon for $7.50. Man, they were GOOD. Don't be surprised to see them in a Weekend Mix in the not-too-distant future.
11 comments:
Excellent song, playing and video!! I love the ending with the bassist taking a break and finishing his cig. And the great slapback on the guitar which really comes out in the breakdown. Thanks Sal!!
Yep, the Shads were great.
And also yep, that clip may well have come to the attention of Tom Verlaine.
Mike,
You're Welcome!
-BBJ
Oh yes... they were terrific. Its worth seeking out interviews with Hank Marvin.. and what influenced him... and why that guitar. Great stage act, we all practiced the Shadows Walk in front of the mirror while playing our tennis raquets. Happy (innocent) Daze.
Pretty much every English guitarist of that era was influenced by him. And for good reason.
Pretty much every English guitarist of that generation cites him as an influence and inspiration. And for good reason.
Viva Los Shads as my late father would say. He saw them onstage in Great Yarmouth in the 60s at the old ABC theatre. Prior to the show, the Shads had joined them in the Theatre Tavern across the road. A favourite of mine growing up was The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt, if only for the fabulous bass line and the fact that every drum sounds different.
Richard Thompson is another one influenced by the Shadows. He does a nice homage on the song Guitar Heroes on the album Still. Good stuff.
Bill
Over here in the UK they're very, very famous though to some probably as Cliff Richard's backing band.
Apache is so well known over here it kind of blows my mind that it seems to be so unknown in the US.
His name's also rhyming slang in the UK for being hungry (starving).
So if you come across a brit saying he's Hank Marvin...
Always fascinated me as to how Jorgen Ingmann's version of Apache made it's way to the States and not The Shadow's.
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