Cliff & the Shads '74

[drakula63]

I actually find it quite incredible that the first 'proper' reunion of Cliff and the Shadows, on October 27th 1974, at the London Palladium, more or less slipped under the radar.

Not sure quite how many songs they performed, and I realise that it was at a fundraising concert, but, never the less, it seems strange to say the least that only a handful of photos have emerged over the years and nothing else. Surely there MUST be a recording of it somewhere? Was it broadcast on radio or TV?

Anyway, here they are, on stage, going through their paces. I'll assume that the bass player would have been off-stage or maybe simply obscured in this shot. Unless something more substantial turns up, then I guess this is the best we can hope for. Not much by way of a memento of their first reunion!

[iefje]

A great photo, never seen it before! Who was the bass player during this concert?

[UlrichS]

This Cliff & The Shadows reunion was part of the "Charity Concert for the Dependents of the Late Colin Charman"

1974-10-27 p01.jpg (13 KiB) Viewed 5510 times

Other performers were: Harry Secombe, Cilla Black, Anthea Redfern, Bruce Forsyth, Dick Emery, The Two Ronnies (Ronnie Corbett & Ronnie Barker), The Young Generation, Ronnie Hazlehurst & His Orchestra (unsure whether this list is complete).
From my records Cliff & the Shadows performed Willie And The Hand Jive – Don't Talk To Him – Bachelor Boy – A Matter Of Moments – Power To All Our Friends

Regarding the bass player I had Alan Jones in my records but from the printing on the back of this press photo there might have been none:

1974-10-27 01a.jpg (14.27 KiB) Viewed 5510 times

1974-10-27 01b.jpg (54.77 KiB) Viewed 5510 times

Best wishes,

Ulrich

[drakula63]

Officially the Shads were Marvin, Welch, Bennett, Farrar at that point... but they MUST have had a bass player working for them on a session basis. I'd say that it was most likely Dave Richmond or Alan Tarney. Could he have been standing out of shot or, as I said earlier, maybe even off stage entirely? It would have sounded wrong without a bass guitar i the mix.

Thanks for the above... glad that the occasion was noted, although who is Cliff Richards? Again... surely there MUST be some kind of recording of this performance?

[StuartD]

HI

Brian Lewis, who was playing guitar for Cliff at that time, went to the show and he tells me it was Alan Tarney on Bass

Regards

Stuart

[alewis41]

It was after this show that the Shads were asked by Bill Cotton Junior to do Eurovision.

Andrew

[UlrichS]

Hi Stuart,
Many thanks for the info, helps putting the records right.

Hi Chris,
I doubt that the show was recorded officially, there would have been too many record companies involved.
A private recording from the audience might exist although the staff of the Palladium was always very strict.
But who knows? Never say never...

Ulrich

[bgohara]

Maybe it didn't feel like a big deal at the time? After all, Hank, Brian, M,W&F and the Shads (without Bruce) had all worked with Cliff in the intervening years since 1968

Interesting choice of material - Matter of Moments in particular