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In Malcolm Campbell's book "A Pocket Guide To Shadow Music" it is said that the single version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (also of course from the "String Of Hits" album), features acoustic rhythm guitar played by Clive Hicks for the opening bars. It seems to me the same rhythm guitar sound is heard throughout the track, so does it mean Bruce does not feature on that particular version of the track? The original full studio version, first issued on the 1997 CD "The Shadows At Abbey Road" does feature Bruce's electric rhythm guitar.
I once read somewhere that another one of the tracks on "String Of Hits" featured rhythm guitar, played by another guitarist, other than Bruce. I think it was "Theme From The Deer Hunter (Cavatina)", is that correct?
Were there any others?

It's possible that 'Deer Hunter' featured another guitarist as John Williams was present at the session so it may have been him.
The only track i know for definate that Bruce did not play on 'Theme for young lovers' as Bruce was ill at the time.

Late in 1963 Bruce Welch said he would be leaving The Shadows due to health reasons ,he changed his mind but instead Licorice Locking left instead.John Rostill joined the group in November 1963 and went into the recording studio to record with the Shadows, Bruce went away on holiday to Barbados to relax he said the doctor had given him some pills to calm him down so The Shadows recorded without him.It was reported in the music press at the time that Hank Marvin overdubbed rhythm guitar on the recorded tracks.The only tracks I can find for this time are the un issued Razzmataz later re-recorded with Bruce, I`m The Lonely One, Watch What You Do With My Baby ,the A and B side of Cliff`s single release of early 1964. Theme For Young Lovers was recorded when Licorice was still the bass player

... all of which suggests that Bruce went off on his therapeutic holiday straight after his appearance on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. As far as I recall, Licorice went into the studio in the following week for his final Shads commitments, to play on sessions for Wonderful Life, during which Theme for Young Lovers and Walkin' were recorded. I assume Hank played rhythm on both those numbers. And possibly on a Burns prototype!

Iain_P wrote:... all of which suggests that Bruce went off on his therapeutic holiday straight after his appearance on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. As far as I recall, Licorice went into the studio in the following week for his final Shads commitments, to play on sessions for Wonderful Life, during which Theme for Young Lovers and Walkin' were recorded. I assume Hank played rhythm on both those numbers. And possibly on a Burns prototype!

Well, again according to Malcolm Campbell's aforementioned book, "Walkin'" features Bruce on rhythm guitar, whereas "Theme For Young Lovers" doesn't, though both tracks were recorded on November the 1st, 1963. Someone else told me Bruce left the studio halfway through the recording session.

That is correct. Bruce played rhythm on "Walkin'". It's widely known now that Bruce was almost heading for a nervous breakdown at the time (which is why he really did need that holiday and why he was thinking of quitting the Shadows). He was convinced that his guitar was out of tune (even when it probably wasn't). Bruce had spent a considerable amount of time tuning up hs guitar before the session commenced and all went well for a while. When it came to recording "Theme For Young Lovers" - Bruce was convinced that his guitar was out of tune once more and so began the whole laborious process (tuning up) - which could sometimes take him hours - all over again. With time running out, tempers beginning to fray, patience wearing thin and Bruce's nerves shot - he had a blazing row with Hank, left the studio and drove home - leaving Hank, Brian & Brian to finish the session without him. Thus, Hank played rhythm on "T F Y Lovers". This wasn't known for many, many years and, initially, the story was that Bruce had been taken ill. His holiday and the arrival of John Rostill restored his health and stopped him from quitting the Shads. John showed Bruce a new (to him) method of tuning his guitars by using harmonics. Even though it was all probably pyschological - Bruce trusted John's judgement (viz: Bruce's guitar/s was/were in tune) completely. 100%. It took away all his worries on that score. Further - Bruce decided to personally pay John £40 per month to tune his guitars whenever and wherever necessary.

RE: "Argentina". I'm sure Bruce does play some rhythm on there. On the session concerned - extra work was being done to complete the track - but the whole day was over running big - time. Bruce is a keen football fan and he had a match to go to. He informed all concerned that if the session wasn't completed by a certain time (6.00pm? 6.30pm?) then he was going to leave at that point. He did just that - hence the need to draft in another guitarist (possibly just for the introduction). Maybe someone like Stuart Duffy could tell us more about that one?

Best wishes,

Rob

Rob confirms the story which I had heard. It's in my mind that Chris Rae was the guitarist in question. Unaware that John Williams was around for the session - where did that story come from?

George

Hmmm...sounds to me like a case of similar alleged 'unprofessional' behaviour which led to another member being earlier told to leave.....by the party in question.

This is my personal opinion, by the way.

I think that it's mentioned (either in "The Story Of The Shadows" or in Bruce's autobiography) that John Williams (who, of course, recorded the original version of "Cavatina") just happened to be at Abbey Road whilst the Shadows were recording their arangement and he was invited in to listen & see what he thought. Hank and Bruce naturally had a high regard and great respect for John Williams and freely admitted that the guitar parts couldn't be like the original which was far more complex. John Williams loved the Shadows' arrangement which must have pleased Hank & Bruce no end. Fans will doubtless remember that Bruce (during the recording of "Live At Abbey Road") jokingly asked that the studio door should be closed because they didn't want Sky (who were recording in the next studio) to steal any ideas from them!

Rob

If Bruce left for a short while on November the 1st, 1963, then it can be assumed Hank also played rhythm guitar on some of the Cliff Richard & The Shadows tracks, recorded just days later (or did Bruce come back for those sessions and retired to Barbados after that?):
- "Wonderful Life" (November the 5th, 1963, alternative take with The Shadows);
- "On The Beach" (November the 5th, 1963, confusing, because Bruce can be heard counting in);
- "Do You Remember" (November the 1st, 1963);
- "A Matter Of Moments" (November the 10th, 1963);
- "Look Don't Touch" (November the 8th or the 11th, 1963).