shotgun

[Iain Purdon]

It had something to do with contractual obligations

Yes, the Shadows members were too young at the time, so pseudonyms were used to collect the royalties. I don't know what the precise legal position was regarding a composer's age but, needless to say, they soon became old enough not to need it any more!

[GoldenStreet]

Since 1959, Hank, Bruce, and Jet (and possibly Tony) had had a composer publishing contracts with a different company. In late 1960, in the wake of their new-found success, they founded Shadows Music in association with Carlin. But the previous arrangement had not yet expired and as songwriters, they were still tied to the previous publisher even though they were now publishers in their own right.

It appears that at least Hank and Jet's 'indirect' association with Carlin goes back to 1959, with Jet Black (by Jet) and Driftin' (Hank), both being copyright by Kalith Music, a subsidiary of the company renamed Carlin in the mid-1960s.

From earlier, in 1958, the Five Chesternuts track, Teenage Love, co-written by Hank (under his original Rankin identity) with Pete Chester, is copyright by Carlin, although quite possibly re-assigned to the company at a later date.

Bill

[JimN]

Iain: I'm sure it was nothing to do with being under-age. Hank and Jet had already been published as the writers of the Drifters' second single.

Carlin certainly existed long before the mid-1960s and was not the Kalith company renamed.

[Iain Purdon]

Meanwhile, back to Shotgun. I've just listened to it again after many a long year. It's terrific. Inspired by Duane's Shazam, I imagine, but full of its own original touches. A good reminder how good a rock band they were.

[GoldenStreet]

Carlin certainly existed long before the mid-1960s and was not the Kalith company renamed.

Indeed! For those who may be interested, but it still doesn't explain how the particular name 'Jon Allen' came into being...

http://www.carlinmusic.com/021011_HISTO ... CARLIN.pdf

Agreed, Iain, it's a track I never tire of listening to!

Bill

[negninegaw]

Has anybody ever seen The Shadows play this number?

[GoldenStreet]

Has anybody ever seen The Shadows play this number?

... or any of the other three tracks from the 'western' EP, for that matter. If the Shads were expected to promote the release back in early 1961, I imagine they would have featured them at that time, but probably less likely in later years, if at all.

Bill