SCOFA The Shadows Circle Of Friends Australia

[iefje]

Does anyone know if SCOFA (The Shadows Circle Of Friends Australia) still exists? I remember the website going down in the early 2000's. It was probably the first website I ever visited, back in 1995, and I think it was one of the first ones about The Shadows.

[Kon-Tiki]

With Ian Kershaw doing a splendid job, keeping us up with the shady news.

Where are you Ian ?

[Arpeggio]

After many years of dedicated service when there was nothing else - Ian decided to wind up SCOFA towards the end of the 1990s. As many of us who have been involved with any such venture will know, it had come to virtually take over his life. Not surprisingly, with the rise of the Internet and many flourishing Shadows music clubs and other events - Ian felt the time was right to 'retire' and spend much more time with his wife and family. I read in one of Geoff Jermy's 2010 newsletters that Ian and his wife, Anne, are both well and attended Cliff / Shadows shows in Australia during the Final Tour there. If Geoff reads this then maybe he can tell us a little bit more about Ian Kershaw - who we will all be forever indebted to.

Bests.....Rob

[chronikman-ch]

I have very good memories of Ian Kershaw
When I saw the address of Scofa on an LP, I signed up for Scofa was then known as the first member from Switzerland and Switzerland was the 20th Country on its list.
The attachments is my first Scofa Mag in August 1985 with the report by Rob. Bradford "John Henry Rostill 1942-1973"
and my last Scofa Mag from 1998 issue 1 Nummerr 38 with the report by Anne & Ian Kershaw's 1997 UK Trip!

PS
Ian if you read this my best wishes from Switzerland
Heinz

[George Geddes]

We still exchange Christmas cards and occasional emails with the Kershaws, and as far as I am aware they are both well. Ian is - if memory serves me well - involved in a local transport museum but not active in Shadows matters. As Rob said, we owe him a debt of gratitude for flying the flag.

George

[iefje]

I remember a page on the website, which was there for a long time from about 1995 to 1998, called "Shadows tracks not on CD". The idea was to compile a CD of these tracks:
1. Fender Bender.
2. The Fourth Man.
3. Spot The Ball.
4. The Shady Lady.
5. Elevenis.
6. Shadoogie (1983 version).
7. Dancing In The Dark. (12" version).
8. The Trouble With Me Is You. (single version by Hank).
9. Janine. (Hank).
10. Fassbender. (Brian).
11. London Kid. (Jean-Michel Jarre and Hank).
12. We Are The Champions. (Promo single version by Hank and Brian May).
13. Nivram. (Hank and Mark Knopfler).

The suggestion was also made for Hank to record a new version of "Sacha", for inclusion on the album. It never happened, but a live 1995 version was issued on the 1997 video and 2004 DVD "Hank Plays Live" and on the 1998 double compilation CD "The Very Best Of Hank Marvin And The Shadows - The First 40 Years".
Since then, the first six tracks have appeared on the 1998 See For Miles compilation "Shadstrax", "Dancing In The Dark" on the 1998 See For Miles re-issue "Guardian Angel...Plus", "The Trouble With Is You" and "Janine" on the 1998 PolyGram/Spectrum compilation "Another Side Of Hank Marvin" and "We Are The Champions" on the 2001 compilation "The Singles Collection". There were some more tracks suggested, but I can't remember those.

[David Martin]

It was actually the SCOFA circulation list published on its website for members, which formed the basis of my first email alerting people to the existence of the first iteration of ShadowMusic on the then new MSN Web Communities...

[Wilson]

I, too was a member of the Shadows Circle of Friends. I first learned of them at the Guardian Angel tour at Twin Towns RSL on the Gold Coast. About the mid 80's I think.I drifted away due to other pursuits and family matters but managed to obtain many rare LP's while I was a member.
If Ian is still around I thank him for the wealth of Shadows information we gained from the newsletters.

Best wishes.
Wilson.

[SCOFA]

Just found this page and was amazed at the positive comments about SCOFA.
I folded the club mid 2000 due to waning interest and lack of family time.
I loved the contact with people all over the world and still maintain contact with a few of the fans via Facebook.
It's great to see Jim Nugent putting his time into listing Shadows records on Facebook with great detail!
Anne and I are both well for a couple of old crocks!

[Iain Purdon]

Glad you found it Ian. Yours was the first site I found in the early days when I wondered if I was the only one in the world. Thanks to you I found there were many others, leading to new friends and wonderful playing opportunities, including the band I have played in some 14 years now.
SCOFA was a wonderful thing!