The ShadowMusic Web Community

Sadly it all seems to be going quiet on this forum, now that the tour is over. So in view of "The Hollies" being enrolled on the "US Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame" together with ABBA and Genesis, I wonder what awards have been given to The Shadows ?. Have they been enrolled on the Hall Of Fame and if not why not, as they must be one of the most influential Bands ever.

well there was a UK hall of fame - backed by Channel 4 - though it now seems to have fallen by the wayside.
Cliff & the Shadows were one of the original inductees (in, I think, 2005) representing the '1950s' - and there was an awards ceremony in a theatre in East London - maybe the Hackney empire? Cliff didn't show up to collect his award - though he did have a video message - and I think he hardly mentioned the Shads. Bruce was in the audience but wasn't on the podium.

I think that this 'Hall of Fame' lasted maybe one or two more years - until Channel 4 withdrew its support.

All a bit of a lame effort anyway. Maybe its all a bit too 'american' for british audiences - the US Hall of Fame actually has a visitor attraction with Rock n roll memorabilia - I guess a bit like the exhibit at the O2.


I don't think there's any chance of them ever getting in the US hall of fame - its run by industry bigwigs like Jon Landau, Bruce Springsteen's manager - and bands who never made it in the US simply wouldn't be on the radar.

The cynic in me though, thinks that its all a bit of a marketing ploy by the industry to boost record sales - take the brit awards 'lifetime achievement' award - its funny that a 34 year old Robbie Williams gets a 'lifetime achievement award' just as he's about to relaunch his career!!

Don't think that it'll cost the members of the Shadows too many sleepless nights not being in a Hall of Fame, somehow.

I've said previously on this board that the RRHF is a "political" group, therefore is more about gamesmanship rather than WHO the group is.

Look at the simple requirements: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame

Living in the USA, there are a number of RRHF members I've never heard of and many not from here. I THEREFORE believe if the hundreds of members of this board began to innundate the RRHF with a concerted campaign to get Cliff & The Shads into the RRHF, it just might work.

It did for The Ventures. They abandoned us for Japan in the 60's only to return here for FEW concerts between the 1980s and now. They sold records worldwide, probably 1/2 OUTSIDE the USA. Cliff & The Shads probably sold as many WITHOUT the USA which is an even bigger accomplishment.

So, if we all WANT Cliff, et al "in" we have to do some work. And, NO, this won't happen W/O Cliff. If it wasn't for him to get the Shads ball rollin', etc. etc. Are you guys "in" or "out"?

A few more thoughts.
I doubt that it's a ploy for increasing record sales of any group. It sure didn't work for the Ventures. Not only that, they squandered their induction and got zero bump that I'm aware of in popularity, concert demand, etc. Most of their popularity is in Japan because they've "lived" there every summer for 40 years! I'm a fan...always have been. They were all born here, were popular here (until the Beatles arrived) and from the late 60's abandoned the USA for Japan.
I don't begrudge them. They did what they had to to make a living.

IMHO today's pop music sucks. What I saw/heard on the recent DVD convinced me there's a thirst for this kind of music here. It's too bad this is the twilight of their careers. If it weren't, some enterprising individual could really take the Cliff/Shads "ball" and run w/it here in the USA. It would be better late than never, but will never happen. What they have proven tho, is major success can occur w/o the USA.

I have no idea how succesful the Hollies were in the states and would not dream of criticising them in any case, I quite like them but would question what real influence they have have ever had upon Rock History, apart from being the one time platform for Graham Nash. However because of the influence by Hank Marvin and The Shadows upon so many rock acts , British and American, I really do believe that The Shadows deserve to be part of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. I have a copy of the US Cd "An Evening In Nivram" this demonstrates that the Shadows fame is even growing in the States. I believe that one of the Brains behind this venture has even contributed to this forum at some time ? perhaps someone could confirm this fact.? I have no idea of the process involved in actually nominating an act for the hall of fame, for all I know it could even be one of those awards that has to be purchased by the Recipient, but I would be happy to add my name to any Petition if someone has more facts to hand.

bgohara wrote:well there was a UK hall of fame - backed by Channel 4 - though it now seems to have fallen by the wayside.
Cliff & the Shadows were one of the original inductees (in, I think, 2005) representing the '1950s' - and there was an awards ceremony in a theatre in East London - maybe the Hackney empire? Cliff didn't show up to collect his award - though he did have a video message - and I think he hardly mentioned the Shads. Bruce was in the audience but wasn't on the podium.

I think that this 'Hall of Fame' lasted maybe one or two more years - until Channel 4 withdrew its support.

All a bit of a lame effort anyway. Maybe its all a bit too 'american' for british audiences - the US Hall of Fame actually has a visitor attraction with Rock n roll memorabilia - I guess a bit like the exhibit at the O2.


I don't think there's any chance of them ever getting in the US hall of fame - its run by industry bigwigs like Jon Landau, Bruce Springsteen's manager - and bands who never made it in the US simply wouldn't be on the radar.

The cynic in me though, thinks that its all a bit of a marketing ploy by the industry to boost record sales - take the brit awards 'lifetime achievement' award - its funny that a 34 year old Robbie Williams gets a 'lifetime achievement award' just as he's about to relaunch his career!!

Don't think that it'll cost the members of the Shadows too many sleepless nights not being in a Hall of Fame, somehow.

When I first read of the UK Hall of Fame a few years ago I discounted it immediately for the simple reason, as stated above, that The Shadows were not featured A. as a separate unit and B. more to the point that they were "representing the 50s". As their first hit (of many) was in the middle of 1960 it didn't make sense - just like these fawning awards ceremonies. All too political, self important "in-crowdish" and pathetic.

The Hollies were reasonably successful stateside back in the 1970s. Absolutely NOTHING substantial since then. No tours, no nothing. So, as I said, the "influence" the RRHF is talking about is the influence on the VOTING MEMBERS, not history. So you want Cliff & the boys "in"....better start the petitions/letter-writing campain for nexx year.

I think that Graham Nash may be the link/influence for the American award, even though he's not a member now, I understand he and Alan Clarke were the receivers (only hearsay).
Tony

tony parnham wrote:I think that Graham Nash may be the link/influence for the American award, even though he's not a member now, I understand he and Alan Clarke were the receivers (only hearsay).
Tony

They were the only two originals there bit Terry Sylvester also turned up and joined them on stage for Long Cool Woman. Check You Tube for the very public snub of him by Allan Clarke!!

Regards

Stuart