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some sad news to report re: a member of the SHADOWS
Unsteady Freddie
Shadows Drummer Tony Meehan RIP
The original drummer with pop group The Shadows, who played on hits
such as Apache, has died aged 62.
Tony Meehan was a founding member of the group, famous for backing
Sir Cliff Richard and their own instrumental hits, from 1958 until
1961.
The Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch said Meehan died in hospital on
Monday from head injuries sustained in a fall.
"It is so tragic," he said. "Tony was a hugely influential drummer
and a very clever arranger."
Welch told the BBC News website that Meehan had "a unique style".
"Tony was only 15 when we first played together but he was already a
really good drummer," he said.
'Major force'
"Drummers wanted to be like Tony Meehan as he played in a style that
no-one had done before.
The Shadows backed Sir Cliff Richard on hits like Summer Holiday
"Apache was such an iconic record. It has been sampled a lot by hip
hop groups."
Sir Cliff Richard said he was "shocked" to hear of Meehan's death.
"There's no doubt that he was a major force in creating The Shadows'
distinctive sound," he said.
"His innovative drumming was the backbone of the band, and his
aggressive yet sparse style was similar to Ringo Starr's five years
later with The Beatles."
Sir Cliff added: "Affectionately known as The Baron because of his
desire for the very best in all aspects of his life, Tony took his
commitment to the band hugely seriously.
"It seems horrifying that a domestic accident should take his life at
such a relatively young age, and my deepest sympathy goes out to his
wife and family."
Sir Cliff last worked with Meehan when he drummed for the singer's
Wembley stadium concerts in 1989.
The instrumental Apache was number one in 1960. Sir Cliff's number
ones with the Shadows during Meehan's time in the band included
Living Doll, Please Don't Tease, Travellin' Light and I Love You.
Meehan appeared alongside Sir Cliff and his bandmates in the film
musical The Young Ones in 1961, as well as the movies Expresso Bongo
in 1960 and Just for Fun in 1963.
When Meehan left the Shadows, he joined up with a fellow ex-band
member, bassist Jet Harris, for the 1963 number one instrumental
Diamonds.
Meehan died at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London. He is
survived by his wife and seven children.
--- In , "Unsteady Freddie"
<schizofredric@y...> wrote:
>
> some sad news to report re: a member of the SHADOWS
Thanks for posting this, Freddie. What a tragic, stupid death.
Very, very sad. Here are two more excellent obituaries:
Tony Meehan was a truly imaginative and creative drummer, and I
suspect he's gonna get a lot more credit after his death for
providing the propelling rhythms for the early Shadows tracks. He
was much more of a rock'n'roll drummer than his replacement in the
Shadows, Brian Bennett. Bennett was and is an excellent drummer,
but he was a more well-rounded musician, and contributed heavily to
the Shads gradually moving from their rock'n'roll roots starting
in '62. On the other hand Tony's drumming was pure r&r. It's
really a shame that the Shadows didn't include him in some way or
another on their recent final reunion tours. I don't think Tony has
played drums in a long time, but he's played a huge role in the
Shads early success, and needs to be recognized for that.
It's been a bad month for rock'n'roll guys - first Link, then Tony.
If they come in 3s, who's next?
Ivan
It's been a bad month for rock'n'roll guys - first Link, then Tony.
If they come in 3s, who's next?
Ivan
I don't know, but maybe DD should lay low for awhile...............
B-B-O
---- ipongrac <> wrote:
> --- In , "Unsteady Freddie"
> <schizofredric@y...> wrote:
> >
> > some sad news to report re: a member of the SHADOWS
>
> Thanks for posting this, Freddie. What a tragic, stupid death.
> Very, very sad. Here are two more excellent obituaries:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Tony Meehan was a truly imaginative and creative drummer, and I
> suspect he's gonna get a lot more credit after his death for
> providing the propelling rhythms for the early Shadows tracks. He
> was much more of a rock'n'roll drummer than his replacement in the
> Shadows, Brian Bennett. Bennett was and is an excellent drummer,
> but he was a more well-rounded musician, and contributed heavily to
> the Shads gradually moving from their rock'n'roll roots starting
> in '62. On the other hand Tony's drumming was pure r&r. It's
> really a shame that the Shadows didn't include him in some way or
> another on their recent final reunion tours. I don't think Tony has
> played drums in a long time, but he's played a huge role in the
> Shads early success, and needs to be recognized for that.
>
> It's been a bad month for rock'n'roll guys - first Link, then Tony.
> If they come in 3s, who's next?
>
> Ivan
>
>
>
>
>
>
> .
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