The ShadowMusic Web Community

40 years now of losing John Rostill.

Thanks Miquelle. You beat me to it. 40 years indeed. The first Shadow to pass away, tragically young. Had he lived, he would be 71 now. John, like Jet and Tony, will never be forgotten by Shadows fans worldwide.

Rob

Thanks to you Rob.
How about the new version of your book about his life?

John was a great Bass Player, brilliant songwriter and more than that a very special person. He was so friendly and helpful. A sad loss. It would have been trmendous to see how his song-writing would have developed.

Stu

Even if it was almost eight years before my birth, I will remember this date forever, because it also happens to be my mother's birthday. Very, very sad that John came to his end when he did.

The Shadows number I most love to play at the moment is, Blue Sky, Blue Sea, Blue Me, co-written by John and Bruce. It's an absolutely beautiful melody which deserves much wider recognition.

Agreed, Noel. Although not that well known, I find a lot of my audiences sing along with it!!!!!

Live in Japan is a much better album than most people seem prepared to admit.

You'll all be pleased to know that Alan Hawkshaw has a nice framed photo of John Rostill in his studio - it appears to be a backstage shot taken in the early 1970s. He is not forgotten.

RIP John Rostill.
One of my all time favourite Shad's tracks is Bossa Roo which John wrote (with some help from Bruce). I love his bass playing in it.

I am so happy (for lack of a better word) that so many people remembered John Rostill on this, the 40th anniversary of his passing. I miss him so much and feel that the musical world would have been so much different if he were still here, whether as a Shadow or in any other capacity. Here are two videos that I especially like -- one of The King singing John's song, and the other of our own "Legend" playing a tribute to John, again using a song John wrote. John, may you rest in peace. Gold Bless You.

Kind regards,
Donna