The ShadowMusic Web Community

The singer (who wasn't actually on the record) was lucky not to have that J200 (copy) fall off the strap.

Do I recognise Tony Thorpe (sometimes k/a Tony Thorne) on guitar? He used to play guitar for Tony Halligan's London country band "Pure Country" and handed that job over to me in late '71. He was starting to do sessions and didn't want to be committed seven nights a week plus Sunday lunch.

At the time (1971), Tony was using a white Burns Nu-Sonic with black pickguard, fitted with two Gibson humbuckers. I recognised the guitar immediately when Sugar Baby Love was first performed on TOTP... then recognised the guitarist.

More advanced than the Shads very technical. At least it takes your mind off the music

I wouldn't have wanted my mind taking off the music, that's a great record and I've witnessed the band three or four times in concert at close quarters perform that song live, note perfect, it that key with that lead singer Alan Williams along with at least two other members of that same line up. Whether he was on the record or not is of no consequence they nailed the song and all of their other hits every time I've seen them. First time was at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall when they were bottom of a three part bill with Showaddywaddy topping and Alvin Stardust. The Rubettes blew everyone off stage and the others couldn't follow them. The following tour they were topping the bill. I then saw them a few months later at Derek Leckonby's (Herman's Hermits guitarist) memorial show when we were there with Dave Berry in 1994 at Stockport and there were The Tremoloes, Freddy & Dreamers, Troggs, Marmalade, Wayne Fontana, Dave Dee, Brian Poole, The Hermits and others I can't remember just now but fourteen in all and they blew us all off the stage with those brilliant vocals. RESPECT !

have to agree with dave i loved there music and on top of that there stuff always made me happy. peter

Always liked them. Nice to have this reminder. I imagine the Shads would gave had a good laugh.

Great profile pickie Peter, would recommend a face cleanser.

Hi Jim
Surely the guitar in the clip is a Hayman 3030H? Designed by Jim Burns after he had left Baldwin-Burns, it has that large top bout that recalls the Burns Split-Sonic design and (hidden under the bridge) the wonderful 'Vibrosonic Chamber'. The long rectangular control plate was a characteristic of the 1010 and the 3030 ranges. Originally, both models had the very heavy Superflux pickup units but later some were fitted with humbuckers (hence 3030H).

Pearls And Crazy Diamonds shows a 3030H in sunburst (P.44) and the Hayman section of the Shergold site has a 3030H in blond http://www.shergold.co.uk/gallery.html?tags=hayman.
Ray

Hi

I interviewed singer Alan Williams in the 90s - and he sent me a book about the story of The Rubettes. In it they say they borrowed the Shadows steps for that routine, I expect as they were so familiar to people and to add some good humour to the performance.

I think they were all session people who suddenly found a demo released and that they were in a band together.

I played in The Gass Company band in 1967/8 with Bill Hurd, who was to be the keyboard player with The Rubettes. We even had a single released: 'Everybody Needs Love' (it's on YouTube) that was written by Bill. I believe Bill still plays in a version of The Rubettes.

Martin.