The Shadows At Sixty

[Moderne]

...and they were just a bunch of 16/17-year old kids when they started. Tony Meehan was even younger!

[dnlmclachlan]

Hi, By way of introduction I am the Convenor for Shadoz (www.shadoz.com), we are a Melbourne Australia Shadows Supporters Association and will (Virus dependent) hold our annual Tribute Day in Melbourne on October 25th.

Approx 9 Bands performing, some bands coming in from interstate, with 150-200 people attending.

I note "Shadows Sixty Years" program on BBC4, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hqn0 for details. I have also been in contact with BBC4 who were not helpful due to staff shortages, DVDBBC who issue DVD's of programs advised a DVD will not be available, like wise the producers of the show also confirmed no DVD.

I am hopeful that U Tube may air this at a later date, if anyone records the program on the day, a copy would be welcome.

Cheers
Dan McLachlan

[drakula63]

Hi, By way of introduction I am the Convenor for Shadoz (http://www.shadoz.com), we are a Melbourne Australia Shadows Supporters Association and will (Virus dependent) hold our annual Tribute Day in Melbourne on October 25th.

Approx 9 Bands performing, some bands coming in from interstate, with 150-200 people attending.

I note "Shadows Sixty Years" program on BBC4, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hqn0 for details. I have also been in contact with BBC4 who were not helpful due to staff shortages, DVDBBC who issue DVD's of programs advised a DVD will not be available, like wise the producers of the show also confirmed no DVD.

I am hopeful that U Tube may air this at a later date, if anyone records the program on the day, a copy would be welcome.

Cheers
Dan McLachlan

IF a commercial company approached either the BBC or Spun Gold (or both) and asked if they could release the doco on DVD - given that this would cost neither the BBC nor Spun Gold anything, but they would earn money from it - then I'd be willing to bet that they'd both say yes. Does a company who would be willing to do this exist? It would cost a lot of money to acquire the rights - all things considered - and there is, of course, no guarantee that it would sell enough to make that money back. So, although this looks feasible, it is unlikely. However, a year ago a documentary on the Shadows looked unlikely and it's happened. If there are any DVD production / distribution companies out there with the necessary money and the willingness to take a risk, then it COULD happen. As it is, I imagine it will be repeated on BBC Four several times and I'd be willing to bet that a few 'unofficial' copies will be doing the rounds in the not too distant.

P.S. As someone who has worked on a few documentaries that have been released on blu-ray and DVD in the UK and the US, I know that the most amazing and surprising things DO sometimes happen! Never say never!

[John Boyd]

Good morning from NZ,
Like Dan McLachlan, I'm also hoping someone may come to the rescue of Shadows fans in the colonies who are very keen to see this documentary.
John B

[shadowriter]

Here it is everybody. Tonight's the night.


Proof of the pudding time
Is half past nine.
hope it's one of Mary Berry's
and not one of mine.

[drakula63]

Tonight's the Night indeed!

Haven't read this,.. but nice to see the lads in the national papers...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artis ... ys-one-us/

[dave robinson]

Well I enjoyed it

[chippy71]

It was nice to see Hank in his 'home' town, and it was quite moving when he had a little cry but their was far to much waffle! showing punk stuff etc and they seemed to try then and cram everything in the last 5 minutes, no talk of the shads final tour in 2004, hanks solo tours etc but i do now feel that is the end, final chapter and goodnight.

Neil.

[drakula63]

I thought it was...

VERY, VERY, VERY GOOD.

Impossible to fully do them justice in just 60 mins, but, by golly, they pretty much did it! Some great footage, never seen the Royston Ellis stuff before. And... and... and... JOHN FARRAR! I'll admit that I didn't expect to see him! Must have cost them a lot to go to Malibu just for a minute or so. And to Aus too. With very minor quibbles, I would give it 10 out of 10. And, yes, I shall be watching it again at 1.30 in the morning! But maybe a bit quieter!

P.S. There is a doco on BBC FOUR now called Great Guitar Riffs at the BBC... and they were the first band on this too!

A great night.

[drakula63]

As someone who has worked on several documentaries and has actually interviewed Brian Bennett in THAT studio and office... I was impressed with how it was all put together. The contextual footage was well chosen, I thought, and they stuck to the key points. One or two glitches and a lot missed out, but... it told the story and put the Shadows into their proper and deserved context. Of course it could have been longer, but 60 mins would have been enough for many viewers. Again... GREAT STUFF!

Recommended.