The year is 1960. A sound unlike anything heard before began to ripple across the United Kingdom, carried on the tremolo-laden strings of a Fender Stratocaster. This was “Apache,” a song that wasn’t sung, but spoke volumes. It was the brainchild of The Shadows, then the backing band for pop idol Cliff Richard, but soon to eclipse even his star with their instrumental prowess. This is the story of the Apache Song that launched a thousand guitars, cemented the Fender Stratocaster’s iconic status, and continues to reverberate through music history.
A jukebox, with the words
From Backing Band to Instrumental Pioneers: The Genesis of The Shadows
Before they were The Shadows, they were the Drifters, Cliff Richard’s backing band. But this was no ordinary backing group. Assembled piece by piece, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris, and Tony Meehan were musicians with ambitions beyond simply supporting a frontman. They were instrumentalists at heart, and their early work with Cliff, while formative, hinted at the groundbreaking sounds they were capable of creating independently.
Their journey began in the studios of Abbey Road, recording Cliff Richard’s first album – a live performance capturing the raw energy of early British rock and roll. While the album featured covers of American hits, it also provided a platform for the Drifters to showcase their own instrumental talents. Tracks like “Jet Black,” named after bassist Jet Harris, highlighted their individual skills and burgeoning band identity. Harris, a veteran musician, had even been among the first in Britain to embrace the electric bass guitar, adding a distinctive depth to their sound.
The Shadows (with Cliff Richard on extra drum)
Around this time, Hank Marvin made a pivotal acquisition: a Fender Stratocaster. Import restrictions meant American guitars were scarce in the UK. But Cliff Richard, determined to equip his guitarist with the best, facilitated the import of this iconic instrument. Inspired by Ricky Nelson’s guitarist James Burton, Marvin and Richard believed the Stratocaster was the key to achieving a similar sound. Ironically, Burton actually favored a Telecaster, but the Stratocaster’s visual appeal and association with Buddy Holly sealed the deal. This Stratocaster would become synonymous with The Shadows’ signature sound and heavily influence British guitar music.
“Living Doll” and “Livin’ Lovin’ Doll”: Navigating Pop Sensibilities
Amidst the rising tide of their instrumental aspirations, The Drifters, still under that name, found themselves navigating the demands of pop music and Cliff Richard’s burgeoning film career. The song “Living Doll,” from Richard’s film debut, was a track he reportedly disliked. Producer Norrie Paramor, known for his shrewd tactics, even penned a song called “Livin’ Lovin’ Doll” as a supposed diversionary tactic. While “Livin’ Lovin’ Doll” achieved chart success, it didn’t prevent the release of “Living Doll.”
However, Richard, with the help of his band, transformed “Living Doll” into a slower, acoustic arrangement with a country-tinged feel. This reimagined version became a massive hit, topping the UK charts and even making inroads in the US. It demonstrated The Shadows’ ability to adapt and elevate even commercially-driven material, showcasing their musical versatility beyond just rock and roll instrumentals.
Royston Ellis and Early Collaborations: Exploring Beat Poetry and Beyond
Beyond their work with Cliff, The Drifters were also exploring other creative avenues. They even backed beat poet Royston Ellis, a figure embodying the burgeoning counter-culture of the late 50s and early 60s. Ellis, a self-proclaimed voice of a generation, fused poetry with rock and roll, a genre he termed “rocketry.” His association with Cliff Richard and The Shadows, who became his backing band, highlighted the surprising interconnectedness of mainstream pop and the bohemian underground in Britain at the time.
The Drifters also ventured into recording their own material. Their single “Feeling Fine” from 1959, predated the Merseybeat sound that would explode a few years later, showcasing their evolving style. With Hank Marvin now wielding his Stratocaster, their sound became even more distinctive. Their contribution to Cliff’s second number one, “Travellin’ Light,” marked a turning point – the single was credited to “Cliff Richard and the Shadows,” signifying their growing identity as a separate entity.
The Shadows Emerge: “Lonesome Fella” and a Name Change
The name change from the Drifters to The Shadows was prompted by a practical issue: the existence of the successful American vocal group, The Drifters. To avoid legal complications in the US market, a new name was needed. “The Shadows” was suggested by Jet Harris, reflecting their initial role as being “in Cliff Richard’s shadow.”
Their first single as The Shadows, “Lonesome Fella,” was a blend of country and doo-wop, showcasing their vocal harmonies alongside their instrumental talents. Although not a chart success, it was a crucial step in establishing their independent identity. Despite these initial forays, The Shadows were still primarily perceived as Cliff Richard’s backing band, a perception that was about to dramatically shift with the arrival of “Apache.”
Bert Weedon, Jerry Lordan, and the Birth of “Apache”
The path to “Apache” involved two key figures: Bert Weedon and Jerry Lordan. Bert Weedon was a pioneering British guitarist, known for his influential guitar tutorial book “Play in a Day” and his instrumental hit “Guitar Boogie Shuffle.” Weedon’s success paved the way for instrumental guitar music in the UK charts.
Jerry Lordan, a songwriter and singer, penned “Apache.” Initially intended for Bert Weedon, Lordan showed the tune to Jet Harris while on tour with Cliff and The Shadows. The band recognized its potential and decided to record their own version. Hank Marvin’s newly acquired Stratocaster, combined with a guitar echo unit and tremolo arm (whammy bar), became central to the song’s distinctive sound. This combination, then unique in the UK but echoing nascent surf rock sounds from America, gave “Apache” an otherworldly, captivating quality.
“Apache” Takes Flight: A Number One Hit and a Cultural Phenomenon
The Shadows’ recording of “Apache” was released and quickly ascended to the top of the UK charts, dethroning Cliff Richard’s own “Please Don’t Tease.” It remained a chart fixture for five months, becoming a defining instrumental hit of the era. Bert Weedon’s version, rushed out to compete, only reached number 24, overshadowed by The Shadows’ innovative rendition.
[Excerpt: The Shadows, “Apache”]
The impact of the apache song was seismic. It inspired countless young Britons to pick up electric guitars, specifically Fender Stratocasters. Pete Townshend of The Who famously declared that hearing “Apache” was a pivotal moment, even comparing it to his first orgasm in terms of significance. The song’s success wasn’t limited to the UK; it influenced guitarists globally, including American bands like The Ventures.
The enduring legacy of “Apache” is further cemented by The Incredible Bongo Band’s funk-infused version from the 1970s. This rendition, particularly its drum break, became one of the most sampled recordings in hip-hop history, used by artists across genres, from Madonna to Kanye West. This unexpected second life solidified “Apache” as not just a rock and roll instrumental classic, but a foundational element of modern music.
[Excerpt: The Incredible Bongo Band, “Apache”]
Chart Dominance and the Height of Shadowmania
“Apache”‘s success propelled The Shadows to new heights of fame. Their follow-up single, “Man of Mystery,” reached number five while “Apache” was still in the top 40. Simultaneously, Cliff Richard and The Shadows continued their collaborative chart domination.
Between 1959 and 1965, Cliff Richard achieved an astonishing 26 consecutive top ten hits, with The Shadows backing him on 21 of them. The Shadows themselves racked up 13 top ten hits in their own right during the same period. They starred in films with Cliff Richard, becoming major cinema draws in Britain. While their American success was limited, they achieved immense popularity in Europe, Australia, and Canada. This era marked the peak of “Shadowmania,” a testament to their musical innovation and widespread appeal.
Internal Turmoil and Evolving Lineups
Despite their outward success, internal tensions and personal dramas began to impact The Shadows. A complex love triangle involving Jet Harris, his wife Carol Costa, and Cliff Richard led to personal turmoil and Harris’s eventual struggles with alcohol. Tony Meehan, seeking more artistic fulfillment, also departed the band.
Brian Bennett replaced Meehan on drums, and later, Licorice Locking took over bass duties after Harris’s departure. While some fans consider the original lineup irreplaceable, the new members contributed to the band’s continued evolution. Jet Harris and Tony Meehan briefly reunited, achieving further success with another instrumental hit, “Diamonds,” featuring a young Jimmy Page.
In early 1963, Cliff Richard and both iterations of The Shadows (original and new lineup members in their solo projects) remarkably monopolized the top of the UK charts, highlighting their enduring popularity and influence. However, this peak was followed by a shift in the music landscape and changing fortunes for all involved, signaling the end of an era of unparalleled dominance for Cliff Richard and The Shadows. While Cliff Richard continued his long and successful career, and The Shadows continued in various forms until 2015, “Apache” remains their defining moment – the apache song that sparked a musical revolution and continues to inspire generations of guitarists.
Legacy of “Apache”: An Instrumental Standard
Even if The Shadows never perform together again, “Apache” endures as a timeless instrumental classic. It represents a pivotal moment in British music history, when instrumental rock took center stage and inspired a generation to embrace the electric guitar. The song’s influence extends beyond rock and roll, permeating genres like surf rock, pop, and even hip-hop through its sampled drum break. “Apache” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural artifact, a testament to the power of instrumental music, and the enduring legacy of The Shadows.
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