As many of you know - well over 10 years ago - I thoroughly researched the history and legacy of the Shadows at the BBC. For at least 150 hours of work I received absolutely NOTHING from either the BBC (whose own records were incomplete) or EMI. But I didn't mind. Seriously. I did it all A) because it was really interesting B) because I wanted a CD of the Shadows BBC Sessions to come out. A release (approved by Hank, Bruce, Brian and the Shadows management team was approved). At this point (much to my chagrin, having done al of the research) I should point out that I did NOT at any time receive a reference CD- R of the BBC material.
The sticking point (& why such a CD has never been released) has been the 'Bernie Andrews Tapes' (now in the possession of John Beecher at RollerCoaster Records). Because of the BBC policy - in the 1980s?? - of discarding / wiping / re - using tapes and throwing out old transcription discs - NOTHING at all by the Shadows at the BBC from 1959 - 1962 has survived. Zero.Zilch. 72 tracks - all destroyed or wiped. only 2 out of 11 tracks from 1963 survived (simply because someone failed to throw away one transcription disc which was destined for the skip!). Thus....the BBC themselves only possessed 2 tracks (out of a possible 83!!) between 1959 - 1963. Between 1964 and 1968 - the Shadows recorded 38 tracks for the BBC - 16 have survived - 22 haven't.
Thus: the BBC wanted to use some of the 'Bernie Andrews' material - at least 30 tracks in top quality sound. Yes....the BBC owned the copyright....but only Bernie (& now John Beecher) had the tapes. The BBC refused to pay him for their use / return & the whole release was blocked. The situation hasn't changed since 2002. IMHO - it would have been a massive seller - say, to coincide with the Shadows' reunion (2004) or the Cliff / Shads reunion (2009 - 10). But....no.
Again, purely IMHO. The BBC could issue all 22 of the Shadows tracks in their archive - immediately - if they so desired. It would be a great CD. Why don't they just do it??? I'd buy a copy - as would hundreds, if not thousands of Shadows fans worldwide. All (well virtually all) of John Beecher's BBC material (28 tracks at least) is currently out of copyright. In theory - John could put that out on RollerCoaster really soon. Again, what a huge seller that would be!!!! Yet....the BBC / EMI just don't seem to think that there is any commercial value in such a release!!! it's criminal. These tracks should be heard again, quite frankly, before we're (terrible thought) dead & gone!!!!
As for the CD I mentioned only the other day. I'd simply heard that a 2 - CD set (37 tracks) had come out from Belgium. All I did was to inform Shadows fans that I'd heard about it. I also mentioned who might have a few copies.....but it was only what I'd heard & may have been incorrect. I have no wish to compromise anyone. Many of the tracks (1959 - 1962) on the CD were out of copyright anyway. I have since heard (A) that the Shadows management were unhappy about the CD. (Memo to same: PLEASE PERSUADE THE BBC TO PUT OUT AN OFFICIAL RELEASE ASAP!!!). I have also heard (the nature of these things being somewhat transient) that any supplies (& I guess we are not even talking three figures here) which reached the UK have already been exhausted.
Sadly....the Shadows' wonderful BBC material seems to still be consigned to a state of perpetual limbo. Does anyone care?? It is a travesty & a very sorry state of affairs indeed.
Bests.....Rob