by abstamaria » Mon Apr 08, 2024 11:57 am
I asked two Japanese friends how the Shadows and their 1967 concerts were received in Japan. They are both in their mid-70s, one a guitarist and the other a drummer in their amateur retro bands. They said the Shadows and the concerts were not popular in Japan. The guitarist said that he liked them actually, but he was in the minority. (He also prefers Bob Bogle to Nokie Edwards, so is a distinct outlier in Japan.)
By 1967, the Ventures had taken firm hold in Japan with a huge, loyal following. They were the “Beloved Invaders,” known for the Mosrites that introduced electric guitars to Japan (including my two friends) and loud, aggressive sound. The Japanese loved them and would for decades after.
Around the world in 1967, the Beatles were icons, with hits that year as Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and so on. The charts also had Light My Fire, Ode to Billie Joe, Whiter Shade of Pale, To Sir With Love, I’m a Believer, Something Stupid …. New music.
The Shadows 1967 concert is important to us fans, and I would love to have a very clear CD to listen to carefully. (after reading this thread, I watched the videos on YouTube.) I think of the Shadows’ repertoire though and wonder how the pieces would have fared against the backdrop I described above. I was a teenager in 1967 with no particular loyalties and wonder now which music I would have preferred, had I heard that concert. Our conclusions would likely differ.
Andy