- we know that The Shads certainly respected him , hence Hank and Bruce writing that 'Mr.Guitar' number for him
Bert often took a 'gentle knock' from people - Godley and Creme wrote a rather belittling lyric wanting to 'play Duane Eddy and NOT Bert Weedon' in a song while even Cliff joked about Bert being THE figure - to Hank's crestfallen look - in the 'Thank You Very Much' concert ...when Elvis was of course that 'figure', but Bert was a much respected and influential musician known by so many
Bert's 'Apache' gets slagged off but was an interesting interpretation nevertheless even if not to Jerry Lordan's taste, while for me Bert's 'Night Cry' from 1963 was a terrific single !
a good EMI compilation of 20 vintage recordings, mostly singles was issued in their 'one up' series and can still be found (which includes 'Mr.Guitar' & 'Night Cry' & a similar compilation can be found on CD )
- Bert's '20 Guitar Greats' was a massive seller in the seventies and helped keep the guitar bands style in the wider public view no doubt assisting The Shads later return to the charts !
I also like his Middle of the road Contour label albums too - notably 'Jim Reeves' & 'Nat King Cole' tribute albums plus later on polydor the 'Country & Western' set too & his polydor album 'Blue Echoes' is also very enjoyable, Bert often slipping in an original track too !
Bert also was a prolific session guitarist & played backup guitar on recordings & hits by the likes of Russ Conway etc...
Hats off to Bert, Record Collector mag once called him; 'The Queen Mother of Rock' - a little jokey perhaps but essentially accurate as Bert WAS a revered and famed influential figure...and a damn fine guitarist !