British pioneer guitarists- before rock and skiffle!

[cockroach]

This is very interesting thread covering a number of British guitar players from pre-war to late '50's and later...includes such people as Ivor Mairants, Ike Issacs, Denny Wright, etc....although only passing mentions of dear old Bert!

Mainly swing, jazz and dance band players, but some played skiffle, and early rock, and were session men for many years.

Over the years, I've found out much information and recordings etc about a lot of American well known and obscure guitar players (blues, jazz, country, rock etc ) but this is the most detailed information in one place I've found which is about their British counterparts...

Hope this is of interest to folks on this site.

http://www.paulvernonchester.com/UKGuitarPioneers.htm

[JimN]

The website is interesting but very messy, having seemingly been edited together from a variety of sources, usually uncredited.

The section on Ernie Shear (under "Session Guitarists") is an example. The text is a complete mish-mash of contradictory bits and pieces. The compiler quotes snippets of verbatim text from my "Guitarist" magazine article on Ernie (1996), together with some contemporary career information Ernie gave me at the time. But (a) he doesn't credit me and (b) he posts all the information in a jumble along with other peoples' comments, with no attempt made to sort out the resulting internal contradictions.

For the record: Ernie told me that for Move It, he used a blonde Hofner President archtop, fited with a DeArmond Rhythm Chief (model 1000) pickup, slid down into the bridge position and supported by a pencil eraser wedged between it and the top of the guitar. He also told me that he used a Fender Deluxe amplifier for the session. But I've lost count of the people who have since insisted that the Fender amp just isn't possible because of the (non-existent) "import ban" and that Ernie must have used a Selmer. That ignores the fact that Jennings were importing Fender amplifiers at the time and that Selmer were bringing in Gibson guitars.

JN

[anniv 63]

Jim you will most likely know this. Who is the guitar player on the left , with reference to the
photo of Cliff and his "Drifters at Abbey Road (page17 Cliff Richard The Complete Recording Sessions)
I recognise Ernie Shears, Roy Plummer (Ithink) Frank Clarke on double bass, but again the drummer
looks unfamiliar.
I tried to scan picture but has come out a bit blurred.

Cheers
Mike

[donna plasky]

I tried to snap a photo with my mobile phone; hope this helps a little.

Regards,
Donna

photo.JPG

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[RayL]

This might help. From a 1963 Guild guitar leaflet

UK guitarists.JPG

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In Donna's picture the guitarist extreme left with the widows peak could well be Ronnie Moore and next to him (with glasses), Dave Goldberg.

Ray

[JimN]

I have seen the "studio" shot before. Indeed, it was used by "Guitarist" magazine to accompany and 'illustrate' my Ernie Shear article. The guitar wielded by Ernie within it led to the editorial decision to amend the phrase "Hofner President" to "Hofner Committee" in the article, despite "President" being Ernie's own clear recollection of the instrument used.

I don't know where the photo was taken, but I'm sure it was not at the Move It session. After all, there weren't two other guitarists on that record, just Ernie, Ian Samwell and (bassist) Frank Clarke.

At any of Cliff's recording sessions before the Marvin/Welch/Harris/Meehan Drifters began to be involved, is there a record of there having been three sessioneer guitarists? I don't think so, leading me to suppose that the photo was taken elsewhere, perhaps at an early BBC radio broadcast or taping session.

I recognise Ernie and Frank. Who are the others? No idea!

JN

[Uncleboko]

Thanks for the link to that site which I found quite interesting. How many of those guitarists played in Nero & the Gladiators I wonder?

I think that with a few well known exceptions - Cliff & Drifters/Shads, Wildcats, Lord Sutch, Johnny Kidd, Nero & the Gladiator - guitar solos on early British rock records were generally appalling simply because the "old boys" were used to a jazz style of playing.

[anniv 63]

Yes it does seem difficult to identifty many of these guys who we never really
were seen as front men in a band.
Dave Golderg and Roy Plummer both wearing glasses could pass as twins!!!
Think either above guys are seen in the 6-5 Special house band and Lord Rockinghams x1
(Oh boy) where clips still exist ?

Mike

[cockroach]

Once again, as I said on the Ventures and Shadows thread, perhaps I shouldn't post things again containing links or guitar articles, seems to cause a lot of arguments or criticism.

Apologies if anyone was offended.

[chas]

I don't see any arguments John - just interesting discussion.

Chas.