Who was the Shadows Drummer??

[BrianD]

Alright, alright, of course I know about Tony and Brian, but who is the drummer in this clip? Just came across it on YouTube while searching for something else -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoN6AKPGkBo

Brian

[JacktheFlash]

It's Tony

[BrianD]

Thanks Peter. I would never have recognised him under all that hair!

[GoldenStreet]

Top of the Pops special, 31st December, 1969...

"Back to 1960 we go for The Shadows who mime to the 1960 recording of "Apache." The Shadows were in a strange place at this time. Bruce Welch had quit the year before prompting the band to split. However, tempted by money, Hank Marvin, John Rostill and Brian Bennett reformed in mid 1969 for a tour of Japan with Cliff Richard so were a going concern once more but in a half hearted manner since Hank and Bruce were by now working with John Farrar on the Marvin, Welch and Farrar project, an acoustic vocal trio that was a huge departure from the reliable twangy instrumentals of The Shadows. Here, Bruce rejoins them, clearly having a good time alongside Marvin and Rostill (who sports rather scary sideburns) but who on Earth is that behind the drumkit? It ain't Brian Bennett who didn't play on the original record. Neither did Rostill but he mimes to Jet Harris' part anyway. Some have suggested it's Tony Meehan the original drummer now sporting a very late 60's longer hairdo, whilst speculation suggests it may be Argent drummer Bob Henrit. We never do get a full on close up shot so the drummers identity is still open to debate."

Bill

[Derek Mowbray]

This is an interesting topic, the clip comes from a show called Pop Go The Sixties hosted by Jimmy Savile so must be off limits now. Tony did rejoin The Shadows in 1967 when Brian Bennet was taken ill during a stint at The Talk Of The Town so maybe it was him in this clip long hair was the fashion in the late sixties, also John Rostill was playing a Fender bass but Hank and Bruce were playing Marvin guitars with the Baldwin logo.

[Moderne]

Top of the Pops special, 31st December, 1969...

"Back to 1960 we go for The Shadows who mime to the 1960 recording of "Apache." The Shadows were in a strange place at this time. Bruce Welch had quit the year before prompting the band to split. However, tempted by money, Hank Marvin, John Rostill and Brian Bennett reformed in mid 1969 for a tour of Japan with Cliff Richard so were a going concern once more but in a half hearted manner since Hank and Bruce were by now working with John Farrar on the Marvin, Welch and Farrar project, an acoustic vocal trio that was a huge departure from the reliable twangy instrumentals of The Shadows. Here, Bruce rejoins them, clearly having a good time alongside Marvin and Rostill (who sports rather scary sideburns) but who on Earth is that behind the drumkit? It ain't Brian Bennett who didn't play on the original record. Neither did Rostill but he mimes to Jet Harris' part anyway. Some have suggested it's Tony Meehan the original drummer now sporting a very late 60's longer hairdo, whilst speculation suggests it may be Argent drummer Bob Henrit. We never do get a full on close up shot so the drummers identity is still open to debate."

Bill

Hank and Bruce didn't start the Marvin, Welch, Farrar project until 1970.

[Peter K]

Hello,

this has been asked several times before. It's certainly Tony Meehan who rejoined for this tv-show only.

Regards

Peter K

[Uncle Fiesta]

It does look a it like Bob Henrit though!

[AlanMcKillop]

It is definitely Tony Meehan, who deputised for Brian on more than one occasion in the late 60's. Another notable time, was the filming of After Ten Fella's.

[GoldenStreet]

It's certainly Tony Meehan who rejoined for this tv-show only.

Purely in the interests of authenticity, it would have been something had Jet also rejoined for just this appearance!

Bill