Tributes to Jet - Sunday, 1 April 2012
Posted: 07 Apr 2012, 22:01Hi Everyone,
There were many wonderful tributes to Jet at the Memorial Lunch on Sunday 1 April. Bruce and Marty, in particular, were brilliant and very supportive. Marty said a few words at the unveiling of the Blue Plaque for Jet and both Bruce and Marty spoke about Jet at the Memorial Lunch.
Cliff, Brian (Licorice) and Hank also sent messages in tribute. Cliff and Brian’s were read out at the Lunch by Vicki Michelle, MBE. Sadly, Hank’s tribute arrived too late to be read out on the day, but I thought you might like to see these messages, so I’ve copied them below.
Janet and I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent messages or offered their support for this very special day in memory of Jet.
Please also see the other posts re the Heritage Foundation tribute to Jet for more info.
Best wishes
Audrey
Message from Sir Cliff:
“Jet was a founder member of “The Shadows” and I firmly believe that his bass playing contributed greatly to a "sound" that became loved and respected throughout the world. Honouring him in this way is not only "JUST" but absolutely "DESERVED" God bless you Jet.”
Cliff
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Message from Brian ‘Licorice’ Locking
“The musicality of Terence “Jet” Harris is but a symphony of expressing the highs and lows of emotions that has touched us all. His powerful pulsating playing of original lines on his bass, all of us strive to follow the best we can … for example:- ‘Nivram’, ‘Frightened City’, ‘South of the Border’, ‘Kon-Tiki’, ‘Wonderful Land’, ‘Apache’.
Yes, this blonde, good-looking chap, we all tried to emulate. He looked good, played good, and did us good!
I recall his deep, throbbing ‘Theme From Something Really Important’, ‘Diamonds’, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’, that pulsated consistently with every performance. Of course, not forgetting his sardonic dry wit - said with perfect timing that would have us all in stitches - very funny. In following him, he was always a hard act to follow.
I must say it was a wonderful privilege and a most moving moment to play with Jet (for the very first and the very last time) a number called ‘Here I Stand’. Played on my harmonica as a duet with Jet, along with Alan Jones, Justin Daish, Matt Green, Steve Longden, Nigel Parsler (The Shadowers) at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham last year.
It was to be the very first time and the very last time we ever played it together. It was so moving. When Jet announced it, “Here I Stand” – he then proceeded to “sit down” on a chair to play it. The audience rocked with laughter.
Thank you, Jet, for being an inspiration to us all. We loved you very much.
May I finally say,
“The artistry of your musical expressions
Swelled like an ocean of emotion
Flowing deeply into our hearts.”
Brian ‘Licorice’ Locking
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Message from Hank:
“Jet Harris, the first bass guitar player in Britain was a real character. I was 16 years old when we first met in 1958 outside the 2i’s Coffee Bar in London’s Soho, Jet was wearing a light tan coloured suede suit and his hair was dyed blonde, I realised immediately he was in show business.
In the Summer of ‘58 Jet and I Joined Wally Whiteman’s Vipers skiffle Group for a short but interesting time. Then in October Cliff invited Jet to join us in The Drifters, replacing bass player Ian Samwell, writer of ‘Move It’ which led to us having many exciting and funny times over the next few years.
I shared a flat with Jet and his first wife Carole for most of 1959 and we got to know each other well. He had a keen sense of humour, I remember when we used to ride Lambretta motor scooters, I bought what was then a recently introduced safety product, a crash helmet, and the first time Jet saw me wear it he was greatly amused and observed that I looked like a tortoise.
Jet’s contribution to the sound and style of The Shadows should not be underestimated, he played with authority and drive and created memorable bass lines which were and still are outstanding. Many bass guitarists who followed would I’m sure acknowledge a debt to Jet’s influence.
I count it a privilege to have worked and played with Jet Harris, a time I will never forget.”
Hank B Marvin
There were many wonderful tributes to Jet at the Memorial Lunch on Sunday 1 April. Bruce and Marty, in particular, were brilliant and very supportive. Marty said a few words at the unveiling of the Blue Plaque for Jet and both Bruce and Marty spoke about Jet at the Memorial Lunch.
Cliff, Brian (Licorice) and Hank also sent messages in tribute. Cliff and Brian’s were read out at the Lunch by Vicki Michelle, MBE. Sadly, Hank’s tribute arrived too late to be read out on the day, but I thought you might like to see these messages, so I’ve copied them below.
Janet and I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent messages or offered their support for this very special day in memory of Jet.
Please also see the other posts re the Heritage Foundation tribute to Jet for more info.
Best wishes
Audrey
Message from Sir Cliff:
“Jet was a founder member of “The Shadows” and I firmly believe that his bass playing contributed greatly to a "sound" that became loved and respected throughout the world. Honouring him in this way is not only "JUST" but absolutely "DESERVED" God bless you Jet.”
Cliff
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Message from Brian ‘Licorice’ Locking
“The musicality of Terence “Jet” Harris is but a symphony of expressing the highs and lows of emotions that has touched us all. His powerful pulsating playing of original lines on his bass, all of us strive to follow the best we can … for example:- ‘Nivram’, ‘Frightened City’, ‘South of the Border’, ‘Kon-Tiki’, ‘Wonderful Land’, ‘Apache’.
Yes, this blonde, good-looking chap, we all tried to emulate. He looked good, played good, and did us good!
I recall his deep, throbbing ‘Theme From Something Really Important’, ‘Diamonds’, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’, that pulsated consistently with every performance. Of course, not forgetting his sardonic dry wit - said with perfect timing that would have us all in stitches - very funny. In following him, he was always a hard act to follow.
I must say it was a wonderful privilege and a most moving moment to play with Jet (for the very first and the very last time) a number called ‘Here I Stand’. Played on my harmonica as a duet with Jet, along with Alan Jones, Justin Daish, Matt Green, Steve Longden, Nigel Parsler (The Shadowers) at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham last year.
It was to be the very first time and the very last time we ever played it together. It was so moving. When Jet announced it, “Here I Stand” – he then proceeded to “sit down” on a chair to play it. The audience rocked with laughter.
Thank you, Jet, for being an inspiration to us all. We loved you very much.
May I finally say,
“The artistry of your musical expressions
Swelled like an ocean of emotion
Flowing deeply into our hearts.”
Brian ‘Licorice’ Locking
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Message from Hank:
“Jet Harris, the first bass guitar player in Britain was a real character. I was 16 years old when we first met in 1958 outside the 2i’s Coffee Bar in London’s Soho, Jet was wearing a light tan coloured suede suit and his hair was dyed blonde, I realised immediately he was in show business.
In the Summer of ‘58 Jet and I Joined Wally Whiteman’s Vipers skiffle Group for a short but interesting time. Then in October Cliff invited Jet to join us in The Drifters, replacing bass player Ian Samwell, writer of ‘Move It’ which led to us having many exciting and funny times over the next few years.
I shared a flat with Jet and his first wife Carole for most of 1959 and we got to know each other well. He had a keen sense of humour, I remember when we used to ride Lambretta motor scooters, I bought what was then a recently introduced safety product, a crash helmet, and the first time Jet saw me wear it he was greatly amused and observed that I looked like a tortoise.
Jet’s contribution to the sound and style of The Shadows should not be underestimated, he played with authority and drive and created memorable bass lines which were and still are outstanding. Many bass guitarists who followed would I’m sure acknowledge a debt to Jet’s influence.
I count it a privilege to have worked and played with Jet Harris, a time I will never forget.”
Hank B Marvin