Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Shadows + Fender Stratocaster = Apache

Released in July, 1960, Apache by The Shadows is the melody that inspired so many guitarists in Singapore and the world. It also helped to make the trademark Fender Stratocaster so popular and such a key element in 60s music.

Although expert guitarist Bert Weedon had already recorded and promoted it, The Shadows had the advantage of releasing it in the shops as a single, so when fans asked for it, they were offered The Shads' version. It triggered another two dozen hits by the famous four. Incidentally, Cliff Richard played the Chinese drums in the recording.

The rest is history and fellow followers, Clapton (Tears In Heaven) and Knopfler (Sultans Of Swing) turned to a Fender Strat.
(Original article. Information from: Music edited by Sean Egan. Image: http://www.iansamwell.com/)

5 comments:

Lam Chun See said...

I remember the Shadows also had an album where they did vocals. I believe one of the songs was True Love Waits.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Yes, "True Love Ways", co-written by Buddy Holly in October, 1958. Besides the Shadows and Holly, Cliff Richard and Peter & Gordon also sing it.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

MR Lum Chun See has been blogging since December, 31st 2005, a fantastic nostalgic and informative trip through the years in Singapore.
Name it and he would probably have covered it.

Lam Chun See said...

No. I have lots more stories to tell. Time is the main constraint. BTW, my surname is spelt Lam :)

Nan @ Nan Tsab said...

always drooling when I see stratocaster..