Whatever Happened To Ernie Shear?

[JimN]

Ernie told me directly in an interview that he used a Hofner President fitted with a DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickup for the Move It session.

The Rhythm Chief was the middle of the DeArmond cello-guitar pickup range and looked like this (it is now being produced again for Fender, who own the rights to DeArmond):

[cockroach]

Wasn't it Vic Flick who used a Clifford Essex Paragon archtop f- hole cello guitar) with a pickup around that era (late'50's/early '60's), not Ernie Shear?

[dave robinson]

Wasn't it Vic Flick who used a Clifford Essex Paragon archtop f- hole cello guitar) with a pickup around that era (late'50's/early '60's), not Ernie Shear?

Yes it was, didn't he use it on the Bond Theme because there was a problem with his Strat?
I'll mention it to Dick, I think he may have got mixed up.
Has anyone tried the Hofner President with the floating pickup for Move It ?

[Pinner Fan]

Re Norman Mitham

There was an article on him in Record Collector a couple (?) of years ago complete with period photos
.

[negninegaw]

I would like to know how Ernie came up with the idea for the intro of 'Move it'.
When I look at the 'nice raw' solo's of 'Nine times out of ten' and 'Do you wanna dance', Hank used the same idea.
Was Ernie inspired by some American record?
(I hope his grandson will ask this)

[GoldenStreet]

Wasn't it Vic Flick who used a Clifford Essex Paragon archtop f- hole cello guitar) with a pickup around that era (late'50's/early '60's), not Ernie Shear?

Yes it was, didn't he use it on the Bond Theme because there was a problem with his Strat?
I'll mention it to Dick, I think he may have got mixed up.
Has anyone tried the Hofner President with the floating pickup for Move It ?

Yes, it is definitely the Clifford Essex Paragon that was featured on the Bond Theme. A former colleague of mine was in email contact with Vic back in 2002, who confirmed from his home in California that the instrument was "still doing fine and snug in a fitting case." Apparently, when he was asked to appear at Bond Collector Weekends and other James Bond functions, the guitar was treated with total reverence by the Bond fans. One person actually cried when he picked it up!

Bill

[negninegaw]

[quote]I would like to know how Ernie came up with the idea for the intro of 'Move it'.
When I look at the 'nice raw' solo's of 'Nine times out of ten' and 'Do you wanna dance', Hank used the same idea.
Was Ernie inspired by some American record?
(I hope his grandson will ask this)/quote]

My guess is that Ernie must have analyzed the intro of "Roll over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry (1956).

[Allclaphands]

Dear all,

It's a funny story how I found these forums. I was at my grandparents house today and I was discussing computers and the internet and was telling him what you could find on it. I then typed his name in to Google and found this site. So, we started to discuss the song 'Move it' and so on. I am the grandson of Ernie Shear and yes, he is currently well. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will try my best.

Best Wishes,

Darren Shear

Reading this did Darren Shear ever come back and answer any questions about Ernie Shear because I have
looked and I can't find them and according to his profile he as only the one posting above.

Pete