The ShadowMusic Web Community

Just released this month a compilation of all their 6os BBC sessions not previously released.
Stunningly good sound quality suggests they have been transferred from master copies.
So it seems the Hollies were given a bit more consideration than the Shadows regarding
tape preservation at least?

Mike

It's all a question of 'timing' really. The bulk of the important (insofar as we music fans of a 'certain age' are concerned) material jettisoned / destroyed by the BBC was most definitely from1958 - to c.1963 / 4. The end of that 'era' was when the Hollies began to start appearing on BBC Radio. Hence, quite a lot of their material has survived. The Shads might have had more from 1964 onwards - but (as mentioned in a different thread) because of enormous filming / touring / recording / pantos / Cliff commitments - they only made 2 BBC Radio appearances in almost 3 years between July, 1963 and May 1966. That fact (coupled with the fact that still not EVERY performance / recording was kept) means that there is (comparatively) so little Shadows' material in the BBC sound archive. Compared to the Shads - the Hollies made far more appearances during 1964 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 (& beyond) - which is why more Hollies' tracks have survived. Also - all of the group members are presumably happy to see the material released.

Bests....Rob