John Rostill, Fretless Bass and 'Everlasting Love'

[tony parnham]

I just came accross this on a site called http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/index.htm from a guy named Glyn Stableford the son of a certain Russ Stableford (deceased) who played that memorable bass riff on 'Everlasting Love'. The reference to the bass guitarist electricuted in the text was obviously John Rostill. Its a well known fact that Clem Cattini played drums with AlanHawkshaw on keyboards on this track and it was assumed by some Herbie Flowers on bass only because he was a famous session player around that era, but here's the evidence from Clem Cattini so there's a chance Stableford used Rostills Fretless bass. I remember at the time this was an innovative sound, a combination of muting with a click not heard previously so distinctive. Here's the text;

From: Glyn Stableford
Subject: 'Everlasting Love' - The Love Affair
Hi Clem, Hi MD Robins

My son Henry (Russ's grandson) found this site and the reference to my Dad and Everlasting Love, what a surprise to find a site mentioning Russ Stableford and the infamous bass intro. It is so distinctive and every time we hear those first few bars I immediately know and smile...that's my Dad!!

Anyway to the question regarding the Bass, Clem is quite right my Dad only played Fenders, we still have all three, Jazz, a Precision and a Fretless Fender that belonged to a guy that was in the early days of the Shadows who was unfortunately electrocuted, Dad ended up buying the Bass from his widow. I know that Dad did tinker quite a bit with strings and dampers and pickups to try and get the right sound or a unique sound, which he clearly achieved. Like Clem I couldn't say for sure or with any certainty which of his instruments he used on "Everlasting Love".

By the way Clem you may or may not remember we met on a session once when I went with my Dad can't remember what the gig was but we met again at The Selsdon Park Hotel on a Tornados tour or reunion gig, I was with my Mum (Dad's widow Lilian).

Thanks for bringing back fond memories and for speaking so warmly of my Dad's undoubted talent... wishing you both well.

Kind regards

Glyn Stableford & my son Henry Stableford
Tony