Having been to the last 8/9 years of Shadowmania I have to say I am so upset that this was the last!
I have met so many wonderful interesting people, (now friends) that I would never have met had it not been for this annual event. Cathy & Roy's involvement has been amazing and I don't know how to thank enough. Where else could you get up in front of all other guitarists and individuals who appreciate Shadows music and play? (Nowhere that I know of!) Wonderful, just wonderful.
Regarding the actual event this year though, I have to say I personally was a little disappointed. The fact that it was "the last one" in my opinion, did tinge the evening with sadness plus all the references to people sadly no longer with us, Jet, Tony, John etc plus the fact that this year Phil Kelly was also unable to appear and this did make the biggest difference to the evening for me.
Phil in my humble opinion has the closest sound and technique to Hank that I have ever heard and I have been a Shadows fan since 1958. I know Justin is a fine guitarist but has not had the experience nor expertise and sound that Phil has managed to emulate over the years. I wish him well and would love to see him play again soon.
Hope we all get together again somewhere - somehow and carry on The Shadows legacy.
Kind regards Jeff Marks


