The Shadows in concert

[UlrichS]

Hi all,

As promised in another thread here is what I could find out about public live performances of the Shadows (Drifters) and their individual members:


Mo 30.06.1958 until Sa 05.07.1958
Birmingham (Hippodrom)
Programme (a.o.): The Vipers [Whally Whyton (voc, g), Johnny Booker (voc, g), Hank Marvin (voc, g), Jet Harris (b), John Pilgrim (wb)]

mid.1958
Stoke Newington
Programme (o.a.): Benny Hill, The Five Chesternuts [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Peter Chester (drms)]
Songs (a.o.): Gathering In The Mushrooms

Su 05.10.1958 Hanley (Victoria Hall)
Mo 06.10.1958 Blackpool (Odeon)
Tu 07.10.1958 Wigan (The Ritz) - 18.15 & 20.30
We 08.10.1958 Glasgow (St. Andrews Hall)
Fr 10.10.1958 Manchester (Free Trade Hall) - 18.30 & 20.40
Su 12.10.1958 Liverpool (Empire)
Tu 14.10.1958 Leicester (De Montfort Hall)
We 15.10.1958 Sheffield (City Hall)
Th 16.10.1958 Newcastle (City Hall)
Fr 17.10.1958 Birmingham (Town Hall)
Sa 18.10.1958 York (Rialto)
Su 19.10.1958 Bristol (Coston Hall)
Programme: The Londonaires - Tony Marsh - The Most Brothers [including Jet Harris (bg) and Tony Meehan (drms)] - Tony Marsh - Eddie Calvert - interval - Tony Marsh - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Ian Samwell (bg), Terry Smart (drms), Jet Harris played a second bass guitar from a certain stage of the tour onwards] - Tony Marsh - The Kalin Twins
Songs: Baby I Don’t Care – Don’t Bug Me Baby – Blueberry Hill – Move It – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – King Creole

Su 26.10.1958
St. Albans (Odeon) - 17.30 & 20.00
Programme: Rory Blackwell & His Blackjacks – Tony Marsh – Neville Taylor – Tony Marsh – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)] – interval – Rory Blackwell & His Blackjacks – Tony Marsh – Nine Langford Teenagers – Tony Marsh – The Mudlarks

Su 16.11.1958
London – Elephant and Castle (Trocadero) - two shows
Programme: Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)], Larry Page, Wee Willie Harris, Gus Goodwin (compere)
Songs: Baby, I Don’t Care – Summertime Blues – I Got A Feeling – Don’t Bug Me Baby – King Creole – It’s Only Make Believe – Poor Little Fool – Move It – High Class Baby – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Mo 17.11.1958 until Sa 22.11.1958
London – Edgeware Road (Metropolitan Theatre) – 18.30 & 20.45
Programme: Cliff Richard & his Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)], Billy Whittaker & Mimi Law, Dave Wheeler, The Five Robertis, Little Beaver & Maree, Michael Hill, Janette Fox, Itrabors, Checker Wheel, Bernard Landy
Songs: Baby, I Don’t Care – Summertime Blues – I Got A Feeling – Don’t Bug Me Baby – King Creole – It’s Only Make Believe – Poor Little Fool – Move It – High Class Baby – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Su 23.11.1958
Walthamstow (Granada) - 17.30 & 20.00
Programme: Basil Kirchin Band – Zom (compere) – The Wee Willie Harris Package Show featuring Tony Crombie, Larry Page, The Bachelors, The Most Brothers & Wee Willie Harris – interval – Basil Kirchin Band – Wee Willie Harris Package Show – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Mo 24.11.1958 until Sa 29.11.1958
London - Chiswick (Empire) - 18.30 & 20.40
Programme: The Empire Orchestra – The Hi-Steppers – Reggie Redcliffe – Don Smoothey & Tom Layton – Vendryes – Desmond Lane – intermission (Charles Henry & The Empire Orchestra) – The Hi-Steppers – Richman & Jackson – The Hi-Steppers – Don Smoothey & Tom Layton – Cliff Richard & His Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Su 30.11.1958
Slough (Adelphi)
Programme: Basil Kirchin Band – Zom (compere) – The Wee Willie Harris Package Show featuring Tony Crombie, Larry Page, The Bachelors, The Most Brothers & Wee Willie Harris – interval – Basil Kirchin Band – Wee Willie Harris Package Show – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Mo 01.12.1958 until Fr 05.12.1958
London (Finsbury Park Empire) - 18.25 & 20.40
Programme: Overture (The Empire Orchestra) – The Hi-Steppers – Hackford & Doyle – The Shipway Twins – Freddie Earle – The Hi-Steppers – Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys – interval – The Hi-Steppers – Joy & Dave Adams – Vendryes – Hackford & Doyle – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Su 07.12.1958
Colchester (Regal) – 17.30 & 20.00
Programme: The Wiseguys – Tony Marsh – The Most Brothers – Tony Marsh – Cherry Wainer with Don Storer – interval – Tony Marsh – The Five Dallas Boys – Tony Marsh – Neville Taylor – Tony Marsh - Cliff Richard & The Drifters replaced by Vince Taylor & The Playboys [Tony Sheridan or Joe Moretti (lg), Tony Harvey (rg), Brian Locking (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)]
The scheduled participation of Cliff Richard & The Drifters was cancelled due to an acute sore throat of Cliff Richard. He was replaced by Vince Taylor & The Playboys.

Su 14.12.1958
Derby (Hippodrome)
Programme (a.o.): Vince Taylor & his Playboys [Tony Sheridan or Joe Moretti (lg), Tony Harvey (rg), Brian Locking (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)]

Su 14.12.1958
Worcester (Gaumont)
Programme: The Wise Guys – Tony Marsh – Joy & Dave Adams – Cherry Wainer – interval – The Most Brothers – Tony Marsh – Neville Taylor – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Su 21.12.1958
Bristol (Colston Hall)
Programme: The Most Brothers, Neville Taylor, Tony Marsh, Five Dallas Boys, Joy & Dave Adams, Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Su 28.12.1958
Hanley (Victoria Hall)
Programme (a.o.): Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)]

Th 08.01.1959
Salisbury (Gaumont)
Programme: The Chris Allen Rhythm Group - Joy & Dave Adams - Mike Preston - Johnny Duncan & his Blue Grass Boys - Johns & Kennedy - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart ??? (drms)]

Sa 10.01.1959
Manchester (Free Trade Hall)
Programme: Betty Smith & her Quintet - Joy & Dave Adams - Johnny Duncan & his Blue Grass Boys - Mike Preston - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 11.01.1959
London (Royal Albert Hall) - The 1958-59 Annual Poll-winners’ All-star Concert
Programme: The John Barry Seven - The King Brothers - Petula Clark - Joe Henderson - Marty Wilde - The Mudlarks - Cliff Richard & the Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)] - The Chris Barber Jazz Band - Alma Cogan - Lonnie Donegan & his Skiffle Group - Frankie Vaughn - Ted Heath & his Music
Songs: Move It – One Night – High Class Baby

Th 15.01.1959
Bedford (Plaza)
Programme: Betty Smith & her Quintet - Joy & Dave Adams - Johns & Kennedy - Mike Preston - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Fr 16.01.1959
Brighton (The Dome)
Programme: The Chris Allen Rhythm Group - Joy & Dave Adams - Mike Preston - Johnny Duncan & his Blue Grass Boys - Johns & Kennedy - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 18.01.1959
Romford (Odeon)
Programme: Betty Smith & her Quintet - Joy & Dave Adams - Johns & Kennedy - Mike Preston - Johnny Duncan & his Blue Grass Boys - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su ??.01.1959
Ipswich (Gaumont)
Programme: The Chris Allen Rhythm Group - Joy & Dave Adams - Mike Preston - Johnny Duncan & his Blue Grass Boys - Johns & Kennedy - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Mo 12.01.1959 Worksop (Regal) – 18.15 & 20.20
Tu 13.01.1959 Wombwell
We 14.01.1959 Dewsbury (Pioneer) - ??.?? & 20.20
Mo 19.01.1959 Leeds
Tu 20.01.1959 Pontefract
We 21.01.1959 Scunthorpe (Pavilion Cinema) – 19.30
Th 22.01.1959 Newark
Fr 23.01.1959 Burnley
Sa 24.01.1959 York (Rialto)
Programme: Tony Crombie & his Rockets – The Bachelors – Kerry Martin – Wee Willie Harris – interval Tony Crombie & his Rockets – Jimmy Tarbuck – Kerry Martin – Cliff Richard & his Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]
Songs: Move It / High Class Baby / It’s Only Make Believe / King Creole / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Schoolboy Crush

Su 25.01.1959 until Sa 31.01.1959
London – Hammersmith (Commodore Theatre) [Mo-Sa: 19.45, Su: 17.00 & 20.00]
The “Oh Boy!” Travelling Show
Programme: Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Terry Smart (drms)] - Lord Rockingham’s XI - The Dallas Boys - The Vernon Girls - Vince Taylor & The Playboys [Tony Sheridan (lg), Tony Harvey (rg), Brian Locking (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)] - Neville Taylor & The Cutters – “Cuddly” Dudley Heslop - Cherry Wainer - Peter Elliott

Mo 02.02.1959 until Sa 07.02.1959
London – Strand (Lyceum Ballroom)
Programme: Tony Crombie & His Rockets - Jimmy Tarbuck - The Bachelors - Kerry Martin - Wee Willie Harris - interval - Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters
Cliff’s part was cancelled due to rioting and laryngitis

We 11.02.1959 Hull (Cecil Theatre)
Th 12.02.1959 Wigan (Ritz) – 18.15 & 20.30
Fr 13.02.1959 Newcastle (City Hall
Sa 14.02.1959 Sheffield (City Hall)
Su 15.02.1959 Edmonton (Regal)
Programme: Tony Crombie & his Rockets – The Bachelors – Jackie Day – Joy & Dave Adams – Mike Preston – Wee Willie Harris - interval – Wee Willie Harris Package Show – Cliff Richard & the Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]
[Following the two days of recording his first album, Cliff ‘s sore throat forced him to mime to the backstage singing of Bill Forbes on the first day, the other dates werecancelled due to Cliff, Bruce and Tony suffering from flu]


Sa 21.02.1959 Birmingham (Town Hall)
Su 22.02.1959 Cheltenham (Gaumont)
Programme: The Wiseguys – Tony Marsh – Jackie Day – Cherry Wainer with Don Storer – interval – The Five Dallas Boys – Neville Taylor – Tony Marsh – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Mo 23.02.1959 Kettering (Granada) – 18.30 & 20.40
Tu 24.02.1959 Grantham (Granada) – 18.20 & 20.30
We 25.02.1959 Mansfield (Granada) – 18.20 & 20.30
Th 26.02.1959 Aylesbury (Granada) – 18.30 & 20.40
Fr 27.02.1959 Dartford (Granada) – 18.20 & 20.30
Sa 28.02.1959 Tooting (Granada) – 18.00 & 20.30
Su 01.03.1959 Doncaster (Gaumont)
Programme: Tony Crombie & His Rockets - Jimmy Tarbuck - The Bachelors - Kerry Martin - Wee Willie Harris - interval - Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys - Jimmy Tarbuck - Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 08.03.1959 Southampton (Gaumont)
Th 12.03.1959 Harrow (Granada) - ??.?? & 21.00
Fr 13.03.1959 Bournemouth (Winter Gardens)
Sa 14.03.1959 Rugby (Granada)
Programme: Tony Crombie & His Rockets - Jimmy Tarbuck – The Bachelors – Wee Willie Harris – interval – The Four Jones Boys – Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys – Jimmy Tarbuck – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 15.03.1959 Guildford (Odeon)
Tu 17.03.1959 Manchester (Free Trade Hall)
We 18.03.1959 Oldham (Granada)
Th 19.03.1959 Bradford (St. George’s Hall) – 18.10 & 20.40
Fr 20.03.1959 Newcastle (City Hall)
Sa 21.03.1959 Mansfield (Granada)
Su 22.03.1959 Liverpool (Empire) - 17.40 & 20.00
Th 26.03.1959 Walthamstow (Granada)
Su 29.03.1959 Plymouth (Odeon)
Programme: Betty Smith & Her Quintet – Jimmy Tarbuck – The Jones Boys – Chas McDevitt & The Freight Train Boys with Shirley Douglas – interval – Betty Smith & Her Quintet – Daly & Wayne – Jimmy Tarbuck – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 15.03.1959 Worksop (Regal) – 19.00
Mo 16.03.1959 Matlock (Ritz) – 19.00
Tu 17.03.1959 Scunthorpe (Pavilion)
We 18.03.1959 Newark (Palace)
Th 19.03.1959 Wombwell (Palace)
Fr 20.03.1959 Burnley (Palace)
Sa 21.03.1959 Pontefract (Crescent)
Su 22.03.1959 Mexborough (Empire) - two shows
Programme: Jill Day/Jackie Dennis - Billy Fury - Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys - Vince Taylor & His Playboys [Tony Sheridan (lg), Tony Harvey (rg), Brian Locking (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)] - Bill Forbes

Mo 30.03.1959 until Sa 04.04.1959
Coventry (Theatre) – 18.15 & 20.30
Programme: Overture – Marie de Vere Trio – Johnny Lacock & Bee – Australia’s Three Brittons – Des O’Connor – Tanner Sisters – interval – Marie de Vere Trio – Jean & Peter Barbour – Joe Black – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Mo 06.04.1959 until Sa 11.04.1959
Birmingham (Hippodrome)
Programme (a.o.): Cliff Richard and the Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Mo 13.04.1959 until Sa 18.04.1959
Manchester (Hippodrome)
Programme (a.o.): Cliff Richard and the Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Su 05.04.1959 Rochester (Gaumont) – 17.30 & 20.00
Su 12.04.1959 Colchester (Regal) – 17.30 & 20.00
Su 19.04.1959 Norwich (Carlton) – 19.00
Tu 21.04.1959 Lincoln (Savoy) – 18.15 & 20.30
We 22.04.1959 Sheffield (City Hall) – 18.10 & 20.30
Th 23.04.1959 Wigan (Ritz) – 18.15 & 20.30
Fr 24.04.1959 Newcastle (City Hall) – 19.30
Sa 25.04.1959 Oldham (Empire)
Su 26.04.1959 Lewisham (Gaumont) – 18.00 & 20.30
Cliff Richard “The Oh Boy! Show”
Programme (a.o.): Desmond Lane, Cliff Richard and the Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]

Mo 27.04.1959 until Sa 02.05.1959
Chiswick (Empire Ballroom) - 18.30 & 20.40
Programme: Overture – Kay & Kimberley – Tom Wallis & Beryl – Des O’Connor – The Five Dallas Boys – intermission – Kay & Kimberley – Jean & Peter Barbour – Des O’Connor – Cliff Richard & The Drifters [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)]


This list covers the period from mid 1958 until May, 1959.
The information comes from the NME (mainly), concert programmes, ticket stubs, books and brochures. I have tried to double-check everything but I cannot guarantee a 100% correctness as sometimes concert dates were changed, cancelled or moved without notice in the NME.
If anyone can add or correct any information it would be appreciated very much. Many thanks in advance.

If this listing should be of interest please let me know and I will complet it little by little.

Regards,

Ulrich

[GoldenStreet]

Great work, Ulrich! I have always wondered how long Terry Smart continued in the Drifters before making way for Tony. Rather than the change taking place around Christmas 1958, it appears Tony didn't make his (public) debut until the start of February, 1959.

Bill

[Steve Parish]

That is amazing, Ulrich!
Going by those dates, and listed Drifters personnel... the switch over, on drums, from Terry Smart to Tony Meehan was very sudden, swift, prompt and immediate.
I'm sure I've read, somewhere, that they tried to talk Terry out of leaving the band (it was his choice, apparently)... but clearly did not waste any time finding a replacement, and knew who to turn to!
Out of interest, I wonder how quick the drummer changeover, for want of a better expression, happened between Tony and Brian Bennett?

[UlrichS]

... Out of interest, I wonder how quick the drummer changeover, for want of a better expression, happened between Tony and Brian Bennett? ...

Hi Steve,

within a week:
Su 17.09.1961
London (Royal Albert Hall) - 14.15 (The Great Pop Prom)
Programme: Cliff Richard and the Shadows [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)], Billy Fury, Adam Faith, Helen Shapiro, John Barry Seven, Peter Elliott, Robin Hall & Jimmie Mac Gregor, Dave Sampson & The Hunters, Monty Sunshine Jazz Band, Bert Weedon

Su 24.09.1961
Leicester (De Montfort Hall) – 17.40 & 20.00
Programme: The Red Price Group - Alan Field - The Two Tones - Alan Field - The Shadows - interval - The Rec Price Group - Alan Field - Patti Brook - Alan Field - Cliff Richard and the Shadows [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)]

Ulrich

Correction (16.11.2021)
During the Blackpool Opera House program "The Big Show Of 1961" the last concert with Tony Meehan on drums was on Friday 30th September 1961, on Saturday 31st September Derek Fell from The Echolets stepped in and from 1st October onwards Brian Bennett was on drums

[George Geddes]

Great work, Ulrich. I have details from 60s to 80s but need to see if I can find the original electronic files or scan the printed versions, which may take some time...

George

[Iain Purdon]

That's terrific, Ulrich. I knew they all knew each other through the 2I's but I didn't realise that Jet, Licorice, Tony and Brian were often together on the same tours back then. It really helps to explain how the Shads personnel changes were achieved.

[JimN]

... Out of interest, I wonder how quick the drummer changeover, for want of a better expression, happened between Tony and Brian Bennett? ...

Hi Steve,

within a week:
Su 17.09.1961
London (Royal Albert Hall) - 14.15 (The Great Pop Prom)
Programme: Cliff Richard and the Shadows [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Tony Meehan (drms)], Billy Fury, Adam Faith, Helen Shapiro, John Barry Seven, Peter Elliott, Robin Hall & Jimmie Mac Gregor, Dave Sampson & The Hunters, Monty Sunshine Jazz Band, Bert Weedon

Su 24.09.1961
Leicester (De Montfort Hall) – 17.40 & 20.00
Programme: The Red Price Group - Alan Field - The Two Tones - Alan Field - The Shadows - interval - The Rec Price Group - Alan Field - Patti Brook - Alan Field - Cliff Richard and the Shadows [Hank Marvin (lg), Bruce Welch (rg), Jet Harris (bg), Brian Bennett (drms)]

Ulrich

I've read (probably in the Mike Read book) that between those dates, the Shadows did a videotaping of "Thank Your Lucky Stars" (promoting Kon-Tiki) at the Aston TV studios (ATV/ABC, for transmission by ABC the following Saturday). Brian Bennett's first appearance with the group.

[ash]

Great stuff. I'll try and find my notes and see what i can add.

[StuartD]

Hi

Brian joined on October 1st 1961. He mimed to Kon Tiki on Thank Your Lucky Stars and then went off to Blackpool top finish the season with Cliff. They had used a stand in drummer for the previous night's concert

It was a Sunday and that's when they did the TYLS taping. Brian started in Blackpool on the Monday.

Someone has posted the NME cutting on here.

Regards

Stuart

[StuartD]

Also, according to the book, The Shadows by Themselves, Tony's first gig was the Manchester Free Trade Hall concert in early January.