RIP Jet Harris

[abel]

Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
I keep the souvenir and privilege of meeting him at the 2006 Shadowmania.

Blessings,

Abel

[gogarrio]

I will miss Jet's keen wit very much, so keen, so sharp, so self-deprecating ("I spent 20 minutes combing my hair, and left the bugger at home... 'Diamonds' was No. 1 for six weeks, not six minutes like your boy bands today..."). But most of all I will miss hearing him perform on stage, entering to the strains of "The Man With the Golden Arm", like God himself whacking the strings, sending an almighty rumble straight to your insides. You knew the whole thing was something special, no matter how many times you saw him, no matter how many times you heard "Diamonds" or "Gonzales" or "Nivram".

Relevant obituaries that hit the right notes:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/ma ... s-obituary
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... ds-newsxml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12790789

From the latter: Sir Cliff paid tribute to his former bandmate, saying: ‘Jet was exactly what The Shadows and I needed – a backbone holding our sound together. Jet will always be an integral part of British rock ’n’ roll history. Losing him is sad – but the great memories will stay with me. Rock on, Jet.'

I have to laugh at the first time Andrea and I met Jet. We were at a Rapiers show, perhaps Epsom in the late '90s. Before the show, we were waiting in the auditorium to meet The Rapiers, when through the doors comes Jet. "Are you Greg? I've got a message from Colin. He'll be out soon!" I was gobsmacked, I suppose. Here's Jet Harris, founder of The Shadows, musician on "Apache", "The Savage" and "Wonderful Land", future MBE, the man who imported electric bass into Britain, hitmaker, bassman extraordinaire, co-architect of "That Sound", simply delivering a message like nobody's business. Talk about down to earth.

I haven't talked to Colin. Can't imagine his sadness to hear the passing of one of his absolute lifelong idols, indeed "the living legend", as he introduced Jet so many times on stage.

Guessing the last time I saw Jet live was at The Rapiers' 25th anniversary show in Amersham in 2008. Here's a clip of "FBI" from that night, taken with my camera (sorry for the out of focus zooming):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3xNgRUMqu0

I remember Jet also came to a memorial in July 2005 at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar to honor the late Wayne Nicholls, Rapiers rhythm guitarist, tragically killed in a traffic accident in June 2005. Related, I recall hearing of a conversation between Wayne and Jet from a show they did together. Jet confessed stage fright or nerves to Wayne, who calmly said, "Don't worry about a thing. I'm right behind you, Jet!" to reassure the man, just before they hit the stage. Such a lovely thought, two musicians sharing a time, a place, a moment, a friendship.

I hope Jet is at peace, free from all pain and cares. And I hope he knows how much joy he brought so many people, not just in the UK, but all over the world. I'm glad I got the chance, or should I say privilege, to experience some of that joy.

Today, on the way to work, listening to "The Tall Texan" in my car, under rain gray cloudy skies in San Francisco, I shed a tear in memory of the man. Truly, one of our Shadows is missing.

I would like to cue "Theme From Something Really Important". (Boy, is Jet's introduction in this clip poignant.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Bw3R9peyk

Rest in peace, Jet.

[Yankshadslover]

A huge loss. Great man, spectacular performer and wonderful human being. He is loved, appreciated and will be missed on this side of the pond as well.

[Dance with Shadows]

I would like to think that somewhere in heaven Jet is now playing bass with Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan--all with incredible talent on the fretboard.

My condolences to the Harris family

Michael

Tasmania, Australia

[MdL]

Just checking my e-mail and got this sad, sad news.
R.I.P. Jet
Sincere condolences to his family.

Martin

[RayL]

Sad news indeed. Jet was there at the beginning of the British rock'n'roll scene with Tony Crombie's Rockets and his place in The Drifters was inevitable because he was simply the best man for the job. That aura of being a pioneer and therefore special has stayed with him ever since.

Here's a picture that I took of Jet relaxing outside the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton before a concert in 2006.

jet harris.jpg (25.76 KiB) Viewed 7772 times

Ray

[EJK]

Really sad and upsetting news.

For those of us who grew up during The Shadows early years he was the man. He had that cool look and it was obvious that he was a great musician who powered the band, the difference between the first and second LPs highlight that. In my mind's eye the image of Jet and the band is the Apache 1960 video on You Tube. If anyone asks me about Jet Harris I tell them to view that, unbeatable for music content, atmosphere and style.

R. I. P. Jet you will never be forgotten.

[Phil McGarrick]

Very sad news - I'm glad I have the video's of him from the last shadowmania as a memory.
R.I.P Jet

Phil

[Natalie]

I am devasted and shocked to hear this news. I had the pleasure of seeing Jet via Rapiers and Shadowmania performances and was always entertained. His humour was legendary. Thank you Jet for all the pleasure you and your music has given me my entire life- things will never be the same again. You were truly a legend and will be missed by us all. Best wishes to Jet's family and friends at this sad time- pease take comfort from the pleasure that Jet gave us all these years.

There will be 'Diamonds' indeed from now on shining from the heavens.

[Tigerdaisy]

What's to say. All things must pass... Thankyou for the music. It was Jet who was there when the original magic of the Shadows was created. Goodbye, and thanks Jet