I must tell this story. I may have told it before, I certainly alluded to it elsewhere.
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago... I was at boarding school. The avatar photo of myself was taken there in 1979. Just behind my right elbow is my good friend Garrie. Jump forward to the end of 1980, and the Shadows 'Change of Address' tour... I saw them at the Manchester Apollo with another boarding school friend, Dave; my first ever gig! Incredible. Not long after, presumably during half term, they played a gig in Southport, around the 29th of October. Garrie managed to get a ticket and saw them there. He bought a programme (as had I), but after the gig he was somehow able to get the big cardboard 'CoA' advertising display from the foyer! Anyway, there were a load of them, apparently, waiting at the stage door for the lads to come out, when someone said that they had already left and had gone to a nearby Indian restaurant. Garrie, living in Southport, knew where it was and led this sizable party to it. I have to smile at the thought of Garrie, clutching his programme and cardboard display, leading his men (and women) through the streets of Southport! Eventually this motley crew reached the restaurant and could see the Shads (well, some of them) inside. They tapped on the window and, eventually, Hank and Bruce came out to see them. Apparently they signed autographs and chatted quite happily for several minutes. I don't think Brian was there, which is strange.
Back at boarding school, I was naturally green with envy! I saw the advertising display and the signed programme and listened as Garrie regaled us with his tale. I have no doubt that it was (largely) true. Garrie eventually gave both the signed programme and the cardboard display to our friend Darren, with whom he was sharing a room at the time. I remember the Welch/Marvin signed centre spread being stuck to the bedroom wall with blue tack. Garrie was a generous soul. He tended to buy things and give them away - especially records. He gave me an original single of 'Jungle Jam/Turn Around and Touch Me' (which he must have got from a second hand shop) and the 1979 LP 'The Shadows at the Movies'.
I saw Garrie many times after we both left school, but sadly he died exactly 20 years ago, in May 2001. I think about him a lot and wish he was still alive.
R.I.P. mate.
I wonder if anyone else was at that Shads gig in Southport, 41 years ago?