Record Collector issue 71

[Pierre TEODORI]

Hello,

I like "Shades of Rock" : great and powerful drumming by Brian Bennett, great sound and guitar tracks and of course great work from Alan Hawkshaw and the various bass players. I can understand that the fans who love only the first Shadows albums don't like this one, but anyway it's a great album.

Regards

Pierre

[Stan666]

I don't get this new realising of Shades of Rock. It's for that reason I haven't read its sleeve notes about John and what theme or themes he played. Somebody who read it can tell me some about it? Who knows why he don't play the entire album after did the concerts with other three in Japan and Korea? Was fired or he quits?

[drakula63]

I think that it's fair to say that he neither quit nor was he fired; he just went off to do other things when it looked like the Shadows had come to an end. I am fairly sure that the others have all said that John WOULD have been part of the reformed (1973) line-up, but he was apparently in the U.S. at the time, playing in Tom Jones' backing group.

[captainhaddock]

This is only my opinion, based on reading between the lines of Mike Reid's "The story of the Shadows" book. I have always assumed that there was a tragic clash of personalities between John, Hank and Bruce. John despite being a cheerful individual,appears to be "Intense"and a worrier. Bruce, another worrier,seems to have been concerned more with Olivia Newton John, (Who wouldn't have been) and Hank seemed to have been more laid back and tried to be a peacemaker. The incident with the autographs and the ball-point pen, if you can read a copy of Reid's book , seems to illustrate it perfectly. Maybe the issues that were to split the Shadows in 1968, were never fully resolved ? John, having recently become a family man and feeling the need to be more financially secure was contractually tied to Tom Jones in the USA and was unable to rejoin The Shadows despite his desire to do so. A situation that was to have such tragic consequences. Oh, if only things could have ended differently.

[iefje]

This is only my opinion, based on reading between the lines of Mike Reid's "The story of the Shadows" book. I have always assumed that there was a tragic clash of personalities between John, Hank and Bruce. John despite being a cheerful individual,appears to be "Intense"and a worrier. Bruce, another worrier,seems to have been concerned more with Olivia Newton John, (Who wouldn't have been) and Hank seemed to have been more laid back and tried to be a peacemaker. The incident with the autographs and the ball-point pen, if you can read a copy of Reid's book , seems to illustrate it perfectly. Maybe the issues that were to split the Shadows in 1968, were never fully resolved ? John, having recently become a family man and feeling the need to be more financially secure was contractually tied to Tom Jones in the USA and was unable to rejoin The Shadows despite his desire to do so. A situation that was to have such tragic consequences. Oh, if only things could have ended differently.

If I remember correctly from reading "The Story Of The Shadows", it was primarily the relationship between Hank and John, which was at a rather low point in late 1968. John at times being jealous of Hank's relationship with Bruce. The Shadows did work together again in 1969 and early 1970, mainly for the money, but I guess they must have enjoyed themselves, otherwise it wouldn't work, now would it? The incident with the autographs and the ball-point pen was in Japan in October, 1969, if I'm right.

[iefje]

Some interesting comments coming in now.

John Rostill IS on Shades of Rock; although I believe only on TWO numbers. Again, the inlay of the recent RPM release contains exhaustive notes on this.

Brian's drumming has always been a standout aspect of SOR for me, and I know a few others, and his economic, tight style and powerful sound must have influenced many.

The bassists on each track of the album are as follows:
1. Proud Mary: Herbie Flowers.
2. My Babe: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.
3. Lucille: John Rostill.
4. Johnny B. Goode: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.
5. Paperback Writer: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: John Rostill.
7. Bony Moronie: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.
8. Get Back: Dave Richmond.
9. Something: Herbie Flowers.
10. River Deep, Mountain High: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.
11. Memphis: Herbie Flowers.
12. What'd I Say: Dave Richmond, Herbie Flowers or Brian Odgers.

The 'bassist-mystery' has been solved for half of the album!

[StuartD]

John was busy doing other things. He played with the Shadows in Dec 1969 at Stockton Fiesta Club but wan't available for the two weeks in March/April at Batley Variety Club and Wythenshawe Golden Garter. Paul Ferris played Bass. He was however the Bass Player for the week at Sheffield Fiesta - the opening week- in June 1970, which incidentally was the last show performed by the Shadows before the MWF formation. He was with Tom Jones in the USA after that and was not available for 'The Shadows featuring MWF' tour. Dave Richmond took his place.

Regards

Stu

[Ivan Pongracic Jr]

John was busy doing other things. He played with the Shadows in Dec 1969 at Stockton Fiesta Club but wan't available for the two weeks in March/April at Batley Variety Club and Wythenshawe Golden Garter. Paul Ferris played Bass. He was however the Bass Player for the week at Sheffield Fiesta - the opening week- in June 1970, which incidentally was the last show performed by the Shadows before the MWF formation. He was with Tom Jones in the USA after that and was not available for 'The Shadows featuring MWF' tour. Dave Richmond took his place.

It sounds like the Shadows played quite a bit in '69 and '70 - so, exactly how did they 'break up' in '68, given all this activity? Obviously, Bruce was no longer with them, but it still seems weird to make a big deal about the break up - and then tour Japan as well as play quite a few domestic shows! I don't get it. Any idea how they justified this?

[drakula63]

I imagine at the time, 1968, they genuinely intended to call it a day and break up. I suspect that the 1969 reunion and then for the album in 1970 was pushed upon them for, as many have said, mainly financial reasons that perhaps were not foreseen. Certainly I know that many people don't really regard the 1969/70 line-up as really being the 'proper' Shadows, due to Bruce's absence and the very different un-Shadow-like sound and style.

For many people, I suspect, the Shadows broke up in 1968 and reformed in 1973. I suspect that to the vast majority of the general public this IS the case.

Not for all of us though, eh?

[iefje]

John was busy doing other things. He played with the Shadows in Dec 1969 at Stockton Fiesta Club but wan't available for the two weeks in March/April at Batley Variety Club and Wythenshawe Golden Garter. Paul Ferris played Bass. He was however the Bass Player for the week at Sheffield Fiesta - the opening week- in June 1970, which incidentally was the last show performed by the Shadows before the MWF formation. He was with Tom Jones in the USA after that and was not available for 'The Shadows featuring MWF' tour. Dave Richmond took his place.

It sounds like the Shadows played quite a bit in '69 and '70 - so, exactly how did they 'break up' in '68, given all this activity? Obviously, Bruce was no longer with them, but it still seems weird to make a big deal about the break up - and then tour Japan as well as play quite a few domestic shows! I don't get it. Any idea how they justified this?

In the chapter "Fading Shadows" of "The Story Of The Shadows", described is an incident just before a gig in late 1968, during which John has a huge argument with Hank, because Hank arrived five minutes before the start of the gig. This really signalled the end of The Shadows at that point.