Thoughts about Marvin, Welch & Farrar

[drakula63]

If I could digress slightly...

I read somewhere that 'You're The One That I Want' was the most successful single of the 1970s. Even if this is not quite true, then it must be ONE of the best selling singles of the 70s. Not only that, but it is one of the most recognisable and popular songs from Grease. Written, of course, by the incomparable John Farrar. I often wonder whether people realise (or care?!) that this song probably would not exist had it not been for MWF and, therefore, the Shadows. I mean, would John Farrar, in 1977, have been in the US, writing and producing songs for Olivia and therefore invited to contribute to the film's (existing) score, had it not been for Hank and Bruce recruiting him almost ten years earlier and setting the wheels in motion.

I've said it before and I shall say it again, the musical landscape of today would be very different indeed had it not been for The Shadows - and I think the same can be said of Marvin, Welch & Farrar. Just incredibly talented guys in so many ways. And I stand by what I said in my first message, regarding a MWF Final Tour!!!!!

[Bill Bowley]

I think you underestimate John Farrar a little there, he was a very successful artist in Australia well before he joined MWF, he comes from the same era that bred the musicians who became The BeeGees, The Easybeats, Seekers, Little River Band (ex-Mississipi) etc and none of those really needed to join an established UK band to make their mark in the world music scene. I am sure that with or without Marvin and Welch he would have made a name for himself.

Have a listen to John with The Strangers in 1968 -IMHO we hear the beginnings of MWF already shaping up, all he needed was to change a few of the band members.

[Bojan]

Nice! That Danelectro lineup looks very interesting!

[Bill Bowley]

Bojan,

No mate, they are Australian made 'Maton' guitars (same brand as used by Cliff R and HBM, Tommy Emmanuel etc).

By the way, have a listen to John's falsetto on this one:




Incidentally, if you haven't aleady noticed, you can select and play other clips that are displayed in the lower section of the vid sceen here.....just click on the one you want.

[Bojan]

Maton, eh!? Very nice! Nice singing too, similar to the later style of the Bee Gees.

[martcaster]

On the "what if" sub-topic (and forgive me if I've posted this rhetorical question elsewhere), but what if Tony Sheridan had been in the 2 Is that night? What if HE had become Cliff's Lead player? What if he hadn't gone to Hamburg and recorded My Bonny with those lads from Liverpool? Would that chap have walked into Brian Epstein's record shop and asked for a copy of something else? Something by Rory Storm & The Hurricanes for example; or Gerry and The Pacemakers (??) Just rhetorical whimsy, really; but it makes you drink...........sorry, think!
Love to all,
Mart.

[Bill Bowley]

........ or if that bloke that was on the short list to replace Liquorice in the Shads, what was his name now, Paul Mc something, had got the job instead of John Rostill? One could go mad really just thinking about it!

But the, look at the real 'what ifs' that actually happened -like Glen Cambell being a member of the Beach Boys for instance , I haven't heard any 'Wichita Linesmen' type stuff from the Beach Boys that I can remember!

[Moderne]

........ or if that bloke that was on the short list to replace Liquorice in the Shads, what was his name now, Paul Mc something, had got the job instead of John Rostill? One could go mad really just thinking about it!

But the, look at the real 'what ifs' that actually happened -like Glen Cambell being a member of the Beach Boys for instance , I haven't heard any 'Wichita Linesmen' type stuff from the Beach Boys that I can remember!

Are you thinking of John Paul Jones, or are you 'avin' a larf?!!

Clive

[Bill Bowley]

Clive,

No mate, P Mc. I'll chase up the reference in due course.

[cockroach]

Bill and Bojan,

I seem to recall that in the 1960's and '70's, in addition to their own original design models, Maton made quite a few copies of other makes- as well as the Maton El Toro(?) models (the Danelectro look alikes in those videos) they made Rickenbacker style models, Gibson 335 type thinline jobs and Fender Tele type solids, as well as Vox style teardrop /lute shaped jobs also. Goodness knows where they all went- a few sometimes turn up on Australian e-Bay..

Agree about John Farrar's talent- he and the Strangers were also a top session group in their day, plus John married Pat Carroll, Olivia Newton-John's musical partner and close friend. The fact that he went to the USA and wrote the songs for Grease etc etc had little to do with being in MWF- who were not known in the USA, nor hardly known in Australia for that matter...