40 years ago today: the Royal Variety Performance 1981

[iefje]

Today it's exactly 40 years ago that Cliff Richard & The Shadows performed during the Royal Variety Performance, with The Shadows playing "Apache" and Cliff Richard & The Shadows playing and singing "Willie And The Hand Jive" and "We Don't Talk Anymore". I think this was the last time that Cliff and group performed together on this particular event, having previously done it in 1960, 1962 and 1964. Hank of course was a special guest during Cliff's spot on the Royal Variety Performance in 1995, duetting on the "Hank Plays Cliff" version of "Move It". Did Cliff Richard & The Shadows also perform during other editions of this event, apart from the years I just mentioned?

[petercreasey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ifvKkAVUxg

[iefje]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ifvKkAVUxg

Ah yes of course, how could I forget that one? I even recorded it from the BBC when it was broadcast in 2008! Thanks Peter!

[Iain Purdon]

That 2008 RVP was mangled for TV. Cliff and the Shads topped the bill and closed the show. TV edited it, shoved them in the middle and made Take That the finale instead.

Meanwhile, back to 1981

Today it's exactly 40 years ago that Cliff Richard & The Shadows performed during the Royal Variety Performance, with The Shadows playing "Apache" and Cliff Richard & The Shadows playing and singing "Willie And The Hand Jive" and "We Don't Talk Anymore".

If you want to see it all, it’s one hour and 6 minutes in!
https://youtu.be/m1PDi1M_03Q

If not, here’s the bit in question
https://youtu.be/6Cqy8kfFxYw