Relations between Jerry Lordan and Shadows' individuals

[iefje]

Considering The Shadows did "Stingray" in 1965 with a heavy Fender VI Bass sound, I think in retrospect, "Diamonds" and "Scarlett O'Hara" would have been also perfect for The Shadows to record. The Shadows did of course, as said, record and release a version of "Diamonds", but with their 1980's approach. Very different to Jet & Tony's version, but, put in their own contexts, I very much like both versions.

[Peter K]

Hi Ivo,

when I first listened to "Stingray" I was shocked and thought: Why did your favourite group record such a rubbish?

Sometimes a songs grows on you and when you listen to it again and again you like it more and more. But this never happened to me with Stingray, I still don't like it ( though I bought it to make my
Shadows single collection complete.)

Regards Peter

[Fenderman]

Stingray isn't the best thing they recorded and would have been better is released as a B side or perhaps LP track but it did make the top 20.

[Arpeggio]

I only ever met Jerry Lordan very briefly indeed backstage at a Shadows concert. But, I was lucky enough to speak to him a few times on the telephone as he did actually get in touch to buy a copy of my John Rostill book "Funny Old World"!!! Naturally I insisted that I would send him a copy for free. (Claudine confirmed it was amongst his personal effects when he sadly died far too young).

I can confirm that Jerry did indeed very much like the sounds produced on Jet's "Besame Mucho" and "Main Title Theme" - particularly the aggressive sounding brass and the 'Six - string Thunder Thrill' of the Fender VI. He was close friends with Hank and Bruce, but he also kept in touch with Jet and Tony. He apparently sensed that a Jet / Tony combination would capture the general public's imagination. He didn't necessarily envisage "Diamonds" as a Fender VI led number.....but he felt that Jet & Tony could deliver something slightly 'heavier' and with more 'edge' and aggression than the Shadows would at that point. Also, "Diamonds" was his title and was a reference to what he considered were Tony's 'little polished gems' (vis - a - vis drum solos). So...."Diamonds" was always intended for Jet & Tony....much to Bruce's chagrin when it went all the way to #1!!!! Having delivered "Diamonds", Jerry was more than happy to follow up with "Scarlett O'Hara" for the duo. It was nothing personal against Hank & Bruce...he just wanted that 'heavier' approach for his arrangement.

Bests....Rob

[Peter K]

Hi Rob,

many thanks for your informations, very interesting facts.

Best regards Peter

[Uncleboko]

Great pity that Stingray was recorded with a fuzz box, a clean sound would have improved it considerably!

[Iain Purdon]

To me, the fuzz, and the drums, made Stingray!

If you look at the succession of titles released post Flingel Bunt you can sense, each time, the question "what else can we try?"

[Fenderman]

I'm wondering what would have happened if the Shads took George Harrison's advice after 'Don't make my baby blue' and became a vocal band, that would have been interesting.

[MikeAB]

The choice of Rhythm 'n Greens as a single ruined their chances of staying as a hit singles band - it broke the hits continuity and not only was it seriously unfunny, insulting to the massive R 'n B fan base but the very silly noises were just that - very silly indeed. What a track it could have been if treated seriously just as an instrumental. Nothing was the same after that travesty was it.

[Fenderman]

Yeah that was the totally wrong choice for a single, they were riding high after Flingle Bunt and needed a strong follow up and they chose that. Walkin' would have been a better choice for a single.