Was anyone else considered ?

[captainhaddock]

When Tony Meehan was replaced, who else was considered as his replacement or was Brian Bennett the one and only choice? Similarly was Brian Locking the only replacement considered for Jet Harris ? . Was anyone else, apart from John Paul Jones, considered as Brian Lockings replacement, before John Rostill was chosen? Finally, was it ever considered possible that Hank and John Rostill carry on asThe Shadows with replacements for Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett after the December 1968 split? I know that Alan Hawshaw replaced Bruce for a time, but for me, Keyboards were no replacement for a Rhythm guitarist, (Sorry Alan!!!)

[Arpeggio]

Brian Bennett was the first choice to replace Tony once he accepted the offer - that was that. The Shads needed someone PDQ as they were appearing on TV just 2 or 3 days after Tony Quit. Ditto 'Licorice'. I'm sure that he was recommended by BB. The Shads had so many commitments that a replacement had to be found really quickly. As well as JPJ, I believe that John Rogers from the Hunters was considered as a possible Shadow. Incidentally, shortly before joining the Shads - John was considered as a possible replacement for Heinz Burt in the Tornados.

Rob

[captainhaddock]

Many thanks for that, Rob, I knew you wouldn't let me down!!

[George Geddes]

Rob got there first...

As far as I know, BB and BL both got 'first refusal' on the jobs. Although Hank and Bruce did go to see JPJ play I don't believe he was ever formally approached, and - unless someone knows otherwise - I'm fairly sure JR was the only one invited to audition.

As far as the post 1968 situation goes, Bruce left and Hank Brian and John went into the studio to record some new stuff with Hank (and maybe John?) covering the other guitar parts. Brian wasn't keen to record stuff like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and decided to pack it in. Hank thought that he and John (despite the differences they'd had in the latter days on the lineup) could "reshape" the band but eventually Hank accepted the inevitable.

The tours with Alan H. were - in Hank's words "done for the £sd - or in the case of Japan, the yen..."

Again, my interpretation / understanding - open to correction.

George

[JimN]

In late 1963, one of the UK musical weeklies - almost certainly the New Musical Express - carried an interview with Hank (and maybe one of the other Shadows) at the time that Bruce had announced that he was leaving, but before it was announced that Licorice had decided to go. This short period was immortalised in the sleeve notes for the EP "Shindig With The Shadows" (written by the NME's Derek Johnson at exactly that moment):

http://shadowmusic.bdme.co.uk/gallery/image_page.php?album_id=20&image_id=554

The newspaper article said that the group's management had been besieged with applications for the job of rhythm guitarist, but that the group would be very picky about Brice's replacement. Hank said something like "We're not just looking for someone who can bash away behind the lead guitarist and ride on the drummer. He'll need to be good on single-string work too".

But... as fate had it... all the applicants were disappointed because Bruce stayed on and Licorice was replaced by John Rostill (those two facts being linked in a way).

JN

[captainhaddock]

Thanks to George and Jim as well!!!.
With the Shadows active career seemingly at an end, it would be great if there were be a definitive biography of the band. Given the Worldwide popularity of the band, as evidenced by the huge number of Shadows copyist /tribute artist clips on you-tube and the large number of followers that take the time to add comments, I feel sure that it would sell.
Going back to Brian Bennett's dislike of playing "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", who can blame him?. I know that the band could occasionally release some poorer quality material, "Winchester Cathedral", "Dear Old Mrs Bell" to name but two, but given the heights reached on most of "Jigsaw" "From Hank...." and "Established 1958", had they simply run out of ideas and enthusiasm?

[Arpeggio]

Post '68 with Bruce leaving - the idea was to record an album of film themes - with Hank / John / session players covering Bruce's rhythm parts. George (as told to me by both Hank & Brian) - it was those two (H & B) who realised that they were 'burnt out' and needed to take a long break from the Shads. Thus...they 'called it a day'. John Rostill was furious about their decision.

Rob

[Shad1]

Hi Captainhaddock,

I agree that the recording of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was awful but I happen to like their take on Winchester Cathedral and I particularly like Dear Old Mrs Bell - a clear precursor for MW&F material - which, at times, was stunning.

Regards

Malc.

[captainhaddock]

Hi Malc,
I quite like the instumental part of "Winchester Cathedral", it's just the spoken introduction that I find embarassing, after the first few plays. I agree with you about M,W&F, at times some of the material is beautiful and it's just a shame that it still doesn't get the attention it deserves. Strangely, I had never thought about "Dear Old Mrs Bell" in the same way as you, it really does fit in with M,W&F perfectly and in that context is far more agreeable to the ear.

All the best from Philip.

[Didier]

When Tony Meehan was replaced, who else was considered as his replacement or was Brian Bennett the one and only choice?

According to what Bruce wrote in his book, no one else than Brian Bennett was considered. Bruce called Brian Who was working for Tommy Steele at this time. At first Brian was a little hesitant because he had a steady job, so Bruce offered him twice what he was paid, which greatly greatly helped Brian's decision to accept !
As far as I know, Brian Bennett became a full "member" of the Shadows in 1973, when the group reformed as The Shadows after the Marvin, Welch & Farrar period. Before that he was only a paid musician, just like Marl Griffith and Warren Bennett more recently.

Didier