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Inspired after hearing the Shadows 'Apache' recording on Radio Luxemburg at the age of 14" |
Jon Malcolm - A Brief History
| Inspired after hearing the Shadows 'Apache' recording on Radio Luxemburg at the age of 14, Jon spent hours listening and copying any 'Shads' records he could get his hands on. He was excited by the then unique sound Hank got from his guitar. In those days equipment used by the stars was a well kept secret ! | |
Hank & Jon
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Guitars and amps were in short supply due to their cost and limited availability. Young budding enthusiasts were struggling with inferior guitars and amps to emulate their heroes. |
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In 1962, Jon joined a local band 'The Vampires' playing R & B and Pop covers and then 'Beatles' covers which had become the 'In Music'. Cliff & The Shadows and other late 50's & early 60's stars had become ' Old Hat' by now.In 1964, Jon was recruited by top Torquay band ' The Telstars' and later 'The Buccaneers'. Following years in groups travelling all over Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, Jon found himself a residency at 'The Dorado Club'. A big favourite with Torquay 'Clubbers'. |
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There he had the opportunity to include 'Shadows' instrumentals in his repertoire. He enjoyed this period of his music life as people started to listen to his guitar playing. |
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In 1971, he was struck down by an illness that forced his retirement from playing. It was only in the mid 90's after a period of being a full time carer for his elderly parents that his music career arose again. Needing to find employment and not wishing to go back to a 9.00 to 5.00 job, he started to re learn all those early 'Shads' hits and with the re-emergence of Hank Marvin as a guitar force he decided to take the plunge and invested in the equipment needed to produce that 'Shadows Sound'. |
Hank & Jon
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Visiting Shadows conventions and meeting the Shads themselves, he soon got to know what to buy to get 'That Sound'. |
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Soon charity gigs and concerts in residential homes led to the demand that Jon finds himself in now.
He has appeared on local radio and has a healthy diary of engagements. His ambition is to appear in stage shows, summer seasons etc.. In the meantime, he entertains holiday makers in hotels and on Saturday nights does many clubs in the south west. |
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He also features many vocal numbers covering the hits of Cliff, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochrane and many other 60's stars. Audiences can listen, dance or sing along with him. It is amazing the interest in 60's music and the great affection 'The Shads' are held in. Jon smiles as he sees most nights at least one 'Air Guitarist' in the audience doing a 'Hank Marvin' ! He considers himself very lucky to be able to emulate Hank and get paid for it ! |
