The ShadowMusic Web Community

It's 46 years ago today that the world lost the great John Rostill. Anyone who met him would agree that he was a wonderful person. RIP John. Never forgotten

Regards

Stuart

I was never lucky enough to meet John but Chris Jarvis told me similar things about him.

John was way ahead of his Shadow predecessors as a player, singer, innovator and composer. The Shads were fortunate to have him and I know both Brian and Bruce would echo that.

Listen to any recording he was on from the first single Flingel Bunt onwards and concentrate on his contribution. I hear something new every time.

Iain

Brian & John, the tightest pairing of all. Just been listening to them on Change Of Direction. Immaculate!
R.I.P. John

A very talented musician and gone much too soon. I am a very big fan of his and I own and play a greenburst Burns Shadows Bass for two years now.

Rest in peace John...

I did not know much about John, as he joined the Shadows after the early Fender days. I just read up on him. It’s sad he seemed to have suffered from depression (which afflicts so many young people these days) and died so early.

Andy

Sadly the entertainment industry/culture/lifestyle destroys a lot of talented people.

Chris Jarvis (also sadly missed I believe) did a very good job reproducing John's sound/style. I saw Chris play about 3 times, but never got to see John play apart from on film/TV.

Two of John's bass lines which stand out, to my ears, are Ranka Chank and Naughty Nippon Nights.

Kindest regards,
Christopher

I love his bass playing on tracks such as Bossa Roo and Dean's Theme (both of which he wrote!).
I agree with earlier posters saying his bass playing was ahead of it's time and who knows what he would have went on to do had he lived. Sadly we will never know.

I know "What if" is very open ended, but over the years I have had the good fortune?, privilege?, luck?, to visit my local Shadows club and watch Bruce Welch, Cliff Hall,Lic and Alan Jones play, about 5 yards from me! Just magic. So……what if?………………?

Kindest regards,
Christopher

Indeed, what if John were still around and visiting Shads clubs. We could all admire his technique anew.

I appreciate that this is a mime job, but watch his fingers - on both hands: