Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard and The Shadows defined the sound of U.K. in the Pre Beatle 60’s
Cliff and his Shadows, with jet Harris, left, Tony Meehan, (hidden behind Cliff) and Bruce Welsh. On the set of Expresso Bongo.Cliff Richard’s real name is Harry Webb. He changed his name to Cliff Richard, (Cliff suggesting “rock face….like ROCK!) and Richard in honor of Little Richard. He became the lead singer in the Drifters, who soon after several personnel changes, became the Shadows, to avoid confusion with the American group of the same name.
How Cliff Got Together with
his Shadows
The original line up was Ian Samwell on guitar, Terry Smart on drums and Norman Mitham on guitar. None of the other three played with the later Shadows, although Samwell wrote songs for Richard's later career. Cliff’s first hit was “Move It” written by Ian Samuel, apparently while on the bus to a Cliff rehearsal.
Cliff and the boys get into it!Cloned as an Elvis style rocker, Cliff scored his first Number 1 in the U.K. with “Living Doll”, a Lionel Bart song in 1959. His first album “Cliff” was recorded in the studio with a live audience, and his first film was “Espresso Bongo” in 1960. Cliff has had 93 chart hits in the UK, and 42 LP hits.
Among his hits were “Travelling Light”, 1959, “Please Don’t Tease”, 1960, “The Young Ones” and “Bachelor Boy” 1961, and “Summer Holiday in 1962. “Congratulations” in1968 came second in the Eurovision Song Contest when it still meant something.
Cliff Richard afterBeatlemania
 With the new look Beatle haircut, and "I'm Nearly famous" album charting. |
Cliff survived Beatlemania, adopted a Beatle style haircut, but ignored current music trends. Despite his still very clean-cut image, he scored with the rocky “Devil Woman” (co-written by Australian Terry Britten) This was from his album "I'm Nearly Famous" , a Number 5 album in the UK, and his best performing LP in USA at No. 76. The album was produced by ex Shadow Bruce Welch. |
Bruce Welsh also produced "We Don't Talk Anymore" from his great album "Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile" a great album co produced by Cliff and Adekaide own Terry Britten.
Cliff Richard's 1958 hit "Move It" is widely regarded as the first authentic British rock and roll record, and "laid the foundations" for the Beatles and Merseybeat music. John Lennon said of Richard: "before Cliff and the Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music". In contrast to contemporaries such as Marty Wilde, Billy Fury and Adam Faith, his successful performing and recording career in the UK has extended over six decades.
John Rostill (left) and Brian Bennett (right) now form the rhythm section,1964Find out about The Shadows HERE
Cliff Richard on Vinyl
Me and My Shadows
Released in October 1960,went to no. 2 on the English charts. No UK singles were supposed to come off the album, but eventually "Gee Whiz It's You" backed with "I Cannot Find True Love" was released. It charted at No. 4 in the singles chart. As well as those two, there are 16 other tracks
I'm Nearly Famous
The album that put Cliff back on the map.
Cliff Richard's career had seen a downward slump in the 1970s compared to his success in the previous decade, culminating in his not hitting the chart at all in 1975 - the first year of his career not to do so.
Cliffs With his new Beatle hair style and great tracks, this is a classic album. Marks about 20 years between me buying Cliff records.
Reviews were excellent, Melody Maker in particular:
"Cliff Richard has at last made the sort of album he could, and should, have been making for years. It is with some incredulity that I have to say that for the past ten days I've been playing two albums constantly. One is Marvin Gaye's I Want You.The other is I'm Nearly Famous. The renaissance of Richard, for that is what I believe this album heralds, is long overdue...it is the best album of new songs ever and, if there are enough unprejudiced ears around, could well mark the start of fresh Cliff Richard buying public."
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Side One 1 I Can't Ask For Any more Than You 2 It's No Use Pretending 3 I'm Nearly Famous 4 Lovers 5 Junior Cowboy 6 Miss You Nights |
Side 2 1 I Wish You'd Change Your Mind 2 Devil Woman 3 Such Is The Mystery 4 You've Got To Give Me All Your Lovin' 5 If You Walked Away 6 Alright, It's Alright |
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Side One "Monday Thru' Friday" "Doing Fine" "Cities May Fall" "You Know that I Love You" "My Luck Won't Change" "Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile" |
Side Two "Sci-Fi" "Fallin' in Luv" "Carrie" "Hot Shot" "Language of Love" "We Don't Talk Anymore" |
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