The Shadows At Sixty MAY 2020 BBC4 Documentary Cliff Richard Hank Marvin Bruce Welch Brian Bennet.

The Shadows At Sixty Cliff Richard Hank Marvin Bruce Welch Brian Bennet BBC4 Programme 01 05 2020
===================================================================================================

The Shadows At Sixty is the story of one of the UK’s greatest bands as they celebrate 60 years since their inception, and tracks their journey from backing band to bona fide stars in their own right.
The Shadows were Cliff Richard’s backing band in the 50s and at that time, were known as The Drifters. They changed their name to The Shadows in 1959.

The group produced some of the most memorable and loved tracks of the last 60 years, including hits such as Apache, Kon-Tiki and Wonderful Land. During the 60s, they also appeared with Cliff Richard in films including The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life.

The Shadows are one of the most successful acts in the UK singles chart, with 36 of their singles reaching the UK Top 40 and 20 reaching the Top 10. The Shadows At Sixty is a biographical and a richly textured document of changing times, charting how the private and public lives of this extraordinary band has helped to shape music for over half a century.

The Shadows At Sixty is produced by Spun Gold TV. Rory Robertson is the Production Executive for Spun Gold TV. It was commissioned for the BBC by Owen Courtney, Commissioning Executive, BBC Music TV.

A look back at the incredible success of The Shadows as they celebrate their 60th anniversary. Starting from where they began as The Drifters to then becoming the backing band for Cliff Richard and enjoying huge success in their own right, the programme celebrates The Shadows’ achievements across a time of constant change within the social, cultural and musical landscape.

The Shadows were at the forefront of the UK beat boom generation and the first backing group to emerge as big stars in their own right. Using unseen archive, personal testimony and interviews with the band, along with those they influenced, including Brian May, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, The Shadows at Sixty is not just a trip down memory lane, but an in-depth, often emotional story of a group’s journey through six decades.

[marklynch]

Happy 79th birthday wishes to you, Hank 👍

[kometdj]

Mr Hank Marvin, living in the States I was not brought up on the Shadows but in the last 15 years or so you and the group have become a beautiful soundtrack to things in my life as I look back on them now. Thank you so much for such classic tunes that resonate to this day.

[MHillaryPhotography]

My dad grew up with the Shadows - and still loves them today and because he loved them we grew up with them and we love them too. I dread to think how much vinyl my dad has by you guys

[colinellesmere]

Great documentary. What I really enjoy is how grateful generally people are who have achieved things. Not a single sign of arrogance or pride shown here. Great empathy and humour. Old age when lived like this is a mark of a life well lived.

[brianbattle]

Fantastic I still remember the night in 1958 (I hope thats right-with age dates become unimportant but not events) when I first heard and saw Cliff and the Shadows in the fime "The Young Ones" at a theartre in a small country town Kempsey in NSW Australia. I didn't walk home that night, I soared on a cloud. In another century, 2013 I was finally able to play Apache on a genuine Fender Stratocaster-Not a red one but a flame colour and that was the peak of my music. I had climbed the mountain. I still love their music and have all their dvd's.

[robertwhite]

You guys were the sound and beat of my teenage years. Thank you so much.

[TonyBreeson]

Thank you for uploading this programme. 
I had recorded and saved this programme on my TV but some unaccountable glitch deleted it, so very please to recover it again

[ZackyDog]

Thanks for uploading this. I know that you made a lot of people happy, based on the feedback I received from the internet music forums that I posted the video on.

[hammybunghole]

Wish i had a time machine so i could go back and attend all their concerts

[sirclip]

Terrific! These guys look great. Also, the Marvin Welch & Farrar albums have wonderful sung harmonies and are totally underrated in my view, the compositions are solid and arranged perfectly with first class guitar (of course) accompaniment.

[andrewcampfield]

Really good documentary. There can not be a conversation about the greatest guitarists of all time without Hank Marvin. I was nearly 4 years old when Apache was released, pretending to play a guitar with a broom and mimicking the Shadows' step routine (Like the guy with the cricket bat). I'm still listening to Apache in my iTunes library 60 years later : )

[johnderby]

The shadows Were the best instrumental band that I've ever heard A1

[vicentesl]

Wow! It seems Mr. Marvin don't age!

[azapro]

Before The Shadows and Cliff Richard, the idea of a British rock star or guitar hero simply didn't exist. Their importance to the genre is grossly understated.

[AgentZ]

You all made music to travel the stars to. Truly timeless guitar music. Thank you Hank, and The Shadows!!

[EduaroU]

What a giant pleasure it has been to see and hear these wonderful guys from my childhood, who's music I adored in my late pre and early teens. I could never figure out how Hank created that hauntingly beautiful sound.
The Shadows (to my mind then) were all about Hank (sorry Bruce). Cliff just got in the way - good as he was. The group is assured a place in history - far better than any of the other 'guitar bands' at the time. Though Hank is an important figure in the history of electric rock guitar. That wonderful guitar tone and Hank's unique approach created a hugely powerful ear worm. All of that dragged in so many young guys who ended up wanting to play, and who also in turn went on to create rock guitar history. Certainly the Andrés Segovia of electric rock guitar.
Right place at the right time? Maybe. But Hank had what was needed to make it work superbly well - so very well done! And no blues licks - just melody! Superb.

[dexcellentproductions]

Great documentary of you Hank and The Shadows. Since I was 9 years old I've been playing acoustic and electric guitar on and off. Your guitar style is amazing and music overall is very inspirational. Watching this documentary has given me some more inspiration to pick my guitar up again. Have a great day and enjoy the lovely sunny weather we are getting at the moment in perth WA

[williamdavey]

Hank Bruce and Brian -, Many happy returns for your 60th. As an obsessed Shadows and Hank Marvin fan for 50 years, my heartfelt THANKS for THE music!!.Dreams came true when my daughter and I met Hank after his Gypsy Jazz Concert at Ellingtons in Perth on Anzac day 2015. Only marred by my brain going to mush at the wrong time!(:. Apart from all their classic hits, my favourite albums are Tasty and Guardian Angel – both brilliant Shadows creations. Cheers. Bill at Roleystone.
PS On the later copy of the BBC Doco, (with Bruce's picture) sound works better.

[kevh]

Apologies for being pedantic but Brian Bennett's name has two ts at the end.

[MsLoosylou]

Absolutely Brilliant....Congrats from the Liverpool Five.