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I just came across these clips on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidjZO9t5JA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChjdhGPVApw

It's a performance from the German "Musikladen" TV show. These clips are from 1981, but The Shadows mime to the original single versions from 1960 and 1964 respectively.

Thanks Ivo - not seen these clips before. Presumably Brian playing a 'borrowed' kit...
Is there a list somewhere of instances where The Shadows had to mime to 'old' recordings?

Moderne wrote:Is there a list somewhere of instances where The Shadows had to mime to 'old' recordings?

I don't know about a list, but I do know two occasions (one from the 1970s and one from the 1980s) on which they mimed to 1960s recordings:
1. They mimed to "Guitar Tango" in May, 1979 on the Dutch "Swinging Scheveningen" TV show, on which they also mimed to "Let Me Be The One" and "Theme From The Deer Hunter (Cavatina)".
2. They mimed to "Apache" in early 1983 on the Dutch "TV Show" TV show, hosted by Ivo Niehe, on which they also mimed to "Chi Mai".

I clicked on the link to Apache without reading the message and was surprised how faithful the rendition was to the original recording. It was so close in sound and style that I began to suspect, listened a second time, and decided the Shadows were miming to the original! I wonder why they did that. The fact that the original recording is instantly recognizable underscores how special it is.

Andy

I don’t know of a list but it was common practice in the TV industry and also in the theatre for groups to mime to recorded performances. It saved a whole raft of the technical challenges associated with live playing and guaranteed that the audience would hear an excellent rendition. If this Shadows lineup had done Apache and Flingel Bunt live on this occasion, the music would have reflected the experience and professionalism they had all acquired since the records were made in 1960 & 1964. I’m not suggesting it would have been better or worse, simply different. Also the fingering would have matched the notes and Apache would have come to a proper end!

I recall the Shads miming to Guitar Tango on a childrens TV show back in the day - the presenter had to call a halt to the rendition when the backing tape went wonky!

I recall the Shads miming to their latest release Guitar Tango on a Children's TV show. The presenter had to step in and end the rendition early when the backing tape went wonkey!

Iain Purdon wrote:If this Shadows lineup had done Apache and Flingel Bunt live on this occasion, the music would have reflected the experience and professionalism they had all acquired since the records were made in 1960 & 1964. I’m not suggesting it would have been better or worse, simply different.

Yes, it would have sounded like the recordings on the "Thank You Very Much" album or those in the style of the "'Live' At Abbey Road" album.