Bruce Welch of The Shadows
Rhythm guitarist and songwriter with The Shadows, Bruce Welch recalls meeting Hank Marvin at school, backing Cliff Richard, and his love of ancient history
Bruce Welch B celebrated his 79th birthday earlier this month, but looks a good decade younger. “It’s probably the hair,” he laughs from his home in south west London. “The other wig’s in the wash!”
Old photos and footage of The Shadows, show trademark smiles, sharp suits and rhythmic, synchronised leg kicks! Bruce and Brian Rankin – as Hank was originally called – met in Newcastle in the mid-Fifties.
“Aged 14 we had separate skiffle groups, then got together in the same group, The Railroaders, and played local pubs and clubs. At 16, we went to London to enter a talent contest, came third, and stayed!
“Playing at the 2i’s Coffee Bar in Soho, we were introduced to Cliff Richard and auditioned for his group, The Drifters, at his family’s council house in Cheshunt. The Drifters became The Shadows who
became Cliff’s backing band.”
Success was swift with hits such as Living Doll and Move It storming the charts. “There’d be hundreds of kids outside stage doors when we played. Cliff was the star but he was always one of us.”
There were of course also films which Cliff and the Shadows starred in. Bruce co-wrote several of the songs featured in these, including Please Don’t Tease, In the Country and the iconic Summer Holiday.
In 1960, the Shadows released haunting instrumental Apache that spent six weeks at the top of the charts, selling more than a million copies. “Would you believe we actually knocked ourselves and Cliff off the No.1 chart spot?” Bruce recalls. “Apache took over from Cliff’s Please Don’t Tease.” In 1968, the Shadows
split and Bruce and Hank went on to form harmony group Marvin, Welch & Farrar, with Australian multiinstrumentalist John Farrar. Bruce also produced hits for his then-girlfriend Olivia Newton John, and helped create a new soft-rock sound for Cliff on his Seventies albums. When a Shadows compilation sold more than a million copies in 1977, the band reformed, and a 50th anniversary reunion in 2009 sold out arenas worlwide.
“I’m amazed we lasted, playing guitar instrumentals; people have nostalgic memories of music but you can’t sing along to the Shadows. It’s a unique spot, I guess,” he muses.
The Shadows haven’t played together for several years now. “We’re a bit tired,” he laughs. “Plus, Hank lives in Australia. We keep in touch and I’m also in touch with drummer, Brian Bennett. I texted Cliff on his 80th birthday in October!”
It’s 60 years since Apache reached the top of the charts and in celebration, a new double album has just been released – Dreamboats and Petticoats Presents The Shadows: The First 60 Years.
“The album has been a joy to put together and I feel very blessed to be part of it.”
Music aside, Bruce, who has been married twice and has two grown-up children, is a big fan of ancient history.
“I should be in Rome now, but due to the pandemic, I’m safe at home. There are worse places to be.”
■ Dreamboats and Petticoats Presents: The Shadows – The First
60 Years, out now, rrp £7.99
‘Cliff was the star, but he was always one of us’