When was the first time you saw The Shads?

[Paul Childs]

March 1965 at the London Paladium in Alladdin.

[roninnes]

The early 60's in Coventry (possibly the Hippodrome) with Hank, Bruce, Brian and Brian.
Highlight of the show Little B.
However Angela saw them as The Drifters at The Atlas cinema in Stechford, Birmingham in January 1959. Hank, Bruce, Jet and Tony with Cliff.

Ron

[fullerton62strat]

1962, Gloucester Regal... Also featuring the Dallas Boys and, I think Bill Hayley.
The announcer came out on the second half and said: ''Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Britains greatest sound - The Shadows''. The first seven notes of Shazam rang out before the curtains opened to reveal a fabulous sight and sound. The other intriguing feature I remember is when Hank played Sleepwalk. The lights dimmed and a single RED spotlight picked him out. His Strat just blazed a pinky-orange and I thought... how does such a great sound come from a PLASTIC guitar. Naive, or what!! A highlight of my youth and an inspiration for life.

Great post too.

John

PS. Before I met my wife she used to be a chorus girl at some of the Regal shows and she told me she had met them all back stage (Jet being the favourite). I was sick as a pig!

[StuartD]

Fascinating thread. Stuart.....any idea who played drums for the first few numbers!!!!!?????

Rob

Hi Rob. NO one!! Tony turned up, I can't remember how far into the act, and just walked on in his street clothes. I think it's mentioned in 'The Shdows' by Themselves!!

Regards

Stuart

[Lesley Bartholomew]

I'd seen them on TV & in their films during the 60's, but the first time I saw them live was at the Portsmouth Guildhall, 1969 I think it was, cant remember a specific date, too long ago but I think it was towards the end of that year.
The line up as far as I can recall was Hank, Bruce, Brian & John (Rostill).
The only other act on that bill that I remember was Olivia Newton John, simply because she was such a stunningly attractive girl, far more so than photographs of her..... no wonder Bruce fell for her ! Have no recollection who else was on the bill that night.
Saw them ( Hank, Bruce, Brian & John Farrar) at Lakeside, Frimley, the year they did Eurovision, & from then the 20 Golden Dates tour onwards.

[des mcneill]

1961/62 at the King's Hall in Belfast with Cliff. Hank,Bruce,Jet and Tony.

Des.

[bor64]

For the first time live, Rotterdam april 79 with the late Gorge Ford.....
Then all the tours (incl Hanks)multiple times 6 or 7 times, sometimes in one week
Met all of them multiple times backstage....genuine nice blokes,even Cliff a few times.
Did also a 45 minutes interview with Hank and also one with Brian for the Dutch fanclub.
Hank invited us for the soundcheck ...that was a real eye opener

[Iain Purdon]

1963: On TV, ATV 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium', Cliff and Shads, including Shindig and Don't Talk to Him. Licorice's farewell appearance.
1963: On film, 'Summer Holiday' when on general release.
1964: In the flesh, before 'Aladdin', at the stage door, saw Brian and Hank come in, also Bruce who gave me autograph, then during show with HBB&J miming to Genie.
1972: Not Shads but Cliff with BB orchestra (inc Alan Tarney) plus Olivia Newton-John. Met and interviewed Brian and Cliff.
1978: First proper gig, '20 Golden Dates' in Glasgow with Francis Monkman and Alan Jones

[damart]

The first time I remember seeing The Shadows on TV would have been on Juke Box Jury around February 1961 when FBI had just been released. The Shadows(Jet, Hank, Bruce and Tony) were in a backroom while the number was being played. After the jury voted they brought the Shadows out to be introduced. The first time live for me was October 1964 when John Rostill played bass guitar. This was at the ABC Ritz in Belfast.

[Hank2k]

As another young one firstI saw hank on his solo tour in 1997 and then again in 2002 didn't think I'd ever get to see the shads and then thankfully they reunited and then again with cliff sad I was never around in the early days but at least I got the chance to see them in as the shadows