John Williams at the BBC

[drakula63]

This was on BBC Four last night.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... at-the-bbc

I can wholeheartedly recommend it. They show the very first TV appearance by the band that would become sky (with Harold Fisher on drums) and there's an interesting comment by John Williams re. Kevin Peek/The Shadows (which seems to confirm something I had heard a couple of times before).

Enjoy!

[cockroach]

I can't listen to that programme at present, but that mention of Kevin Peek in conjunction with the Shadows reminded me that Kevin used to play Shadows tunes (and other guitar instrumental numbers- Duane Eddy etc) when I used to see his band play in 1964/5 here in Oz (which lineup included Alan Tarney and later,Trevor Spencer too)..one tune they did sticks in my memory because it was the only time I'd ever heard anyone play 'Blue Shadows' live...

[UlrichS]

Unfortunately not viewable outside the UK.

Ulrich

[MikeAB]

The comment might have been derived from Kevin Peek mentioning playing with Hank rather than actually the Shadows? On Guitar Syndicate.

[drakula63]

Kevin did, of course, play in Cliff Richard's backing group for several years in the early/mid 1970s, although I can't imagine that John would have thought this was the Shadows (although I suppose this is possible).

Sadly, we can never ask Kevin about this now, but I had heard that he had contributed some rhythm guitar to a Shads recording...

[UlrichS]

... I had heard that he had contributed some rhythm guitar to a Shads recording...

You mean "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"?

Ulrich

[Iain Purdon]

Leaving aside the passing reference to Kevin Peek as a session player --whose path crossed at different times with Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Hank Marvin and Olivia Newton-John as well as other artistes outside that family -- the programme was a magnificent documentary about the musical life of John Williams. I'm sure any lover of the guitar will enjoy watching this programme as I did!

As Chris says, catch it on the BBC iPlayer if you are able to connect to it. Outside the UK, you may still be able to get it if you have VPN software.

[Moderne]

i totally agree - it was a great programme. The piece he played on Les Dawson's programme after the comedy business with Les was just sublime. A reminder of a time when we took that sort of Saturday night TV entertainment for granted before Simon Cowell (for 4-5 hours every weekend for months at a time!) took over...

[MikeAB]

Was that the 'Recollections of the Alhambra' ? Fantastic piece and arguably the best of its kind.

[drakula63]

Also worth remembering that Francis Monkman '...played backing for the Shadows...' in 1977. I think rehearsals and sessions may have started for JW's 'Travelling' album in late '77.

I had temporally forgotten that Kevin was on the 'Guitar Syndicate' album, so I suppose this could be what JW was thinking of.

I watched most of the programme again on Sunday night and again enjoyed it thoroughly. I can indeed recommend it.