Jet Harris
Terence "Jet" Harris was born in Kingsbury, North London, on 6th July, 1939, the only son of Bill and Winifred Harris. The young Terence Harris was nicknamed "Jet" by his school friends because of his ability at being one of the fastest runners in the school. History was made during the year of 1958, Jet was introduced to a young Cliff Richard, and was duly invited to join Cliff's backing group The Drifters, but due to an injunction by the American group "The Drifters", they had to change their name. History was made at the Eight Bells Pub near Ruislip, when Hank, Bruce and Jet began discussing new names for the band. It was Jet that came up with the name "The Shadows".
The first hit record that Jet played bass on was "High Class Baby", which reached number seven in the charts of 1958. "Apache", of course, was the start of an era. Jet played on many Shadows records - "Man of Mystery", "The Stranger", "Midnight", "36-24-36", "The Savage", "Guitar Tango", "Nivram", "Peace Pipe" and "FBI" to name but a few. He also helped write a few of the hits. The last recording Jet did with The Shadows was "Wonderful Land" in 1962. Jet left the band the same year and had two hit singles in his own right - "Besame Mucho" and the main title theme from the film "The Man With The Golden Arm".
Jet teamed up with Tony Meehan in 1963 and had an immediate hit with "Diamonds", a number composed for him by Jerry Lordan who had written "Apache", "Wonderful Land" and other hits for The Shadows. "Diamonds" stayed at number one for six weeks. A notable first is the fact that Jet is the only instrumentalist in the world to have had a number one hit record, playing bass guitar as the lead instrument. The duo had a further two top twenty hits with "Scarlett O'Hara" and "Applejack". Jet was also (and still is to this day) a great photographer. He had a wonderful teacher by the name of Dezo Hoffman. Jet was able to take lots of photos of Cliff and The Shadows that no one else could. Lots of these photos ended up in various books including Dezo's.
2002
saw the release of a new CD called Diamonds are Trumps, with Jet and famous
session drummer Bobby Graham, released through Solent Records, with whom Jet has
a new record deal. This was Jet's first release for a very long time and is
available in all UK and Irish record shops. (Distributed by Nova/Pinnacle).
The first hit record that Jet played bass on was "High Class Baby", which reached number seven in the charts of 1958. "Apache", of course, was the start of an era. Jet played on many Shadows records - "Man of Mystery", "The Stranger", "Midnight", "36-24-36", "The Savage", "Guitar Tango", "Nivram", "Peace Pipe" and "FBI" to name but a few. He also helped write a few of the hits. The last recording Jet did with The Shadows was "Wonderful Land" in 1962. Jet left the band the same year and had two hit singles in his own right - "Besame Mucho" and the main title theme from the film "The Man With The Golden Arm".
Jet teamed up with Tony Meehan in 1963 and had an immediate hit with "Diamonds", a number composed for him by Jerry Lordan who had written "Apache", "Wonderful Land" and other hits for The Shadows. "Diamonds" stayed at number one for six weeks. A notable first is the fact that Jet is the only instrumentalist in the world to have had a number one hit record, playing bass guitar as the lead instrument. The duo had a further two top twenty hits with "Scarlett O'Hara" and "Applejack". Jet was also (and still is to this day) a great photographer. He had a wonderful teacher by the name of Dezo Hoffman. Jet was able to take lots of photos of Cliff and The Shadows that no one else could. Lots of these photos ended up in various books including Dezo's.
2002
saw the release of a new CD called Diamonds are Trumps, with Jet and famous
session drummer Bobby Graham, released through Solent Records, with whom Jet has
a new record deal. This was Jet's first release for a very long time and is
available in all UK and Irish record shops. (Distributed by Nova/Pinnacle).
The Rapiers
The Rapiers are champions of early '60s UK rock 'n' roll epitomized by the likes of The Shadows, Johnny Kidd and The Pirates and other geniuses. Propelled by lead guitarist Colin Pryce-Jones, drummer John Tuck, bassist Nathan J. Hulse and tag-team rhythm guitarists Neil Ainsby and Dave Lawes, The Rapiers rate as one of the world's fiercest, hardest working and classiest combos, on record or stage. Based in Edmonton and Enfield, North London, The Rapiers are celebrating more than 20 years as a group. They're currently on tour across England and the Continent, performing solo engagements and starring with ex-Shadows legend Jet Harris in his "Me and My Shadows" shows, as well as backing another BritPop icon, John Leyton, who waxed the immortal "Johnny Remember Me". See these lads and be dazzled!
Billie Davis
Billie Davis's career started like many other of the female singers of her time. At the young age of 16 she entered a local talent contest at Southall Community Centre, Pushed on stage by her best friend Billie sang a Connie
Francis song 'Many Tears Ago'. Along with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as her backing group for the performance, Billie Won the contest. After winning she was advised by Cliff Bennett to go and see a man named Joe Meek.
"Cliff Bennet and The Rebel Rousers backed me. I won and after Cliff told me to go See this guy called Joe whose making some pretty amazing sounds. Joe Meek of course"
Billie worked on various experimental recordings and also worked on her own vocal. It was while working with Meek that she was spotted by Robert Stigwood and instantly snapped up. This was the start of her journey into fame.
"I was listening to Rock n Roll I just loved the beat. Chuck Berry Jerry Lee Lewis. I adored Bobby Darin. Then came Phil Spector. The Great Wall of Sound. Oh How I wanted to make records like that. I did tour with The Four seasons and Bob Crew wanted to take me back to America and record
me but Stigwood would not let me go"
Her first big appearance was on the Comedy hit record by Mike Sarne 'Will I What'. Billie bringing the comical cockney accent to the chorus. Though is was her first hit 'Tell Him' that Billie is particularly remembered for. That record sent Billie up the British charts, Proceeding Dusty Springfield debut by about seven months. With her Jet Black hair, Big doe eyes and vampy and unique cloths style Billie was was of the earliest images of the 60'S Brit scene. Certainly a muse for the tabloids too. The heavy promotion for 'Tell Him' had Billie performing and touring with mega acts The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, to name a few. It can be said the Billie certainly has a story or two to tell about those times. "Tours at that time would last for 6 weeks and we would be playing small Essoldo theatres which are now I'm sad to say, became Bingo halls and today remain empty. Morecambe Winter gardens I recall on the Rolling Stones tour. Last night of the tour Mick and Keith got hold of the key's to the props cupboard and got the wind machines out and almost blew everyone off the stage. During my spot Whilst bopping around on the stage I turned to see Charlie Watts giving Mick a piggyback across the stage they were both chasing me around. I thought in a minute they will trip and we might all end up in the orchestra pit."
Billie enjoyed a great build up of success with 'Tell Him' but her career hit a brutal and very tragically early stump at the end of 1963. It was while promoting her follow up single to 'Tell Him', the song 'He's The One'. Billie was involved in a serious car accident along with Jet Harris of
The Shadows. Jet and Billie had become a much loved and hounded couple for the Tabloids, and were together in a chauffeured car that hit a Midland red bus. Billie in fact pulled Jet from the wreckage and both sustained various injuries. In particular Billie received a serious broken jaw and as a result was unable to do any performing or promotion . This caused serious damage to her career, as the music industry was at such a fast moving pace, Billie was temporarily lost from the limelight.
"A Midland red bus without looking pulled out into the main road and we sailed straight into it. Jet fell forward and hit his head on the ash tray. I was sleeping side way's so fell forward and hit my jaw on the seat. I got myself together pulled Jet out of the car and lay him on the side of the road. Just behind us there had been a load of fans on motor bikes who had been to the show they called the ambulance. I was taken to The Harley Street clinic to find that I had broken my jaw. They operated and I was wired for 6.months living on baby Foods. Along came Sandie, Cilla. all supporting the Billie Davis bob. I couldn't record, couldn't do anything"
But not for long, Once recovered Billie was back to work and had success with songs such as 'Angel Of The Morning' and 'Want you to be my
Baby'. Billie enjoyed touring the globe and discovered fans from Communist Europe to South America. Billie in Particular found much success in Spain with 'I Want You To Be My Baby', produced by Michael Aldred, featuring the voices of Madeline Bell , Doris Troy, Kike Dee, Kay Garner and the Moody Blues Pulled from the studio next door. Billie actually also translated and recorded a version in Spanish.
"I did Top of the Pops the record was selling 12.000 a day I remember very clearly a friend of mine was looking after Joe Cocker and we were doing the same sales a day. Then Decca had a strike at the factory and they wouldn't press anymore records so it killed it. Bad luck yet again."
Billie also recorded the Moody Blues classic Number 'Nights In white Satin' which she performed on Spanish television and had a hit with
there. Loving the country and it's people Billie spent a great deal of time in Spain and still has very much a strong fan base there today.
"The Spanish people really took me into their hearts. I was playing bullrings . I also toured South America Following Matt Munro around the circuit. Matt had a huge hit with Born Free. I worked along with Julio Englasas. I picked up award international artiste of the year, is equivalent of Hello Mag"
Billie has never really stopped working, just a few breaks bringing up her two children, but has continued to gig and write. Billie writing
her own material led to an album recording called 'Stormy' featuring legendary guitarist Albert Lee. This work took quite a country feel, and revealing Billie as a great songwriter. Touring the country with various sixties shows has resulted in Billie working with a huge range of long time friends and other Sixties legends of her own time. The Likes of The Searchers, Marty Wilde, The Tornados, John Leyton and P.J Proby. Billie recently discovered a great fan base in Australia on a tour with P.J and Gerry and The Pacemakers. Most recently Billie has been working hard on a tour with another old friend Jet Harris. Jet Harris presents me and my Shadows has successfully toured the UK and features the talents of Top class band The Rapiers. Billie has also been working with Mike Sarne, again another old friend, in her debut role in Pantomime. Moving with the times Billie has discovered a new younger generation of fans through the internet. Her recent album release 'The Decca Years' and provoked a new interest in her and echoes the current interest for the era. Through popular website Myspace Billie receives fan mail from fans from the era up to young and current retro bands who are discovering her for the first time. This current interest has also sparked off a new release for Billie From RPM Records. 'Whatcha Gonna Do' features very early and rare recordings from th sixties. It even feature's some early live recordings. "Sixties music is not just popular again, it never really went away"
Billie has also been working with the heritage foundation, placing various blue Plaques and raising money for various causes including the Tsunami Benefit, and poverty charities . Billie and The Rapiers recently put on a tribute lunch for the Late Tommy Bruce , another sixties icon. This event raised money for the Macmillan Trust.
Francis song 'Many Tears Ago'. Along with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as her backing group for the performance, Billie Won the contest. After winning she was advised by Cliff Bennett to go and see a man named Joe Meek.
"Cliff Bennet and The Rebel Rousers backed me. I won and after Cliff told me to go See this guy called Joe whose making some pretty amazing sounds. Joe Meek of course"
Billie worked on various experimental recordings and also worked on her own vocal. It was while working with Meek that she was spotted by Robert Stigwood and instantly snapped up. This was the start of her journey into fame.
"I was listening to Rock n Roll I just loved the beat. Chuck Berry Jerry Lee Lewis. I adored Bobby Darin. Then came Phil Spector. The Great Wall of Sound. Oh How I wanted to make records like that. I did tour with The Four seasons and Bob Crew wanted to take me back to America and record
me but Stigwood would not let me go"
Her first big appearance was on the Comedy hit record by Mike Sarne 'Will I What'. Billie bringing the comical cockney accent to the chorus. Though is was her first hit 'Tell Him' that Billie is particularly remembered for. That record sent Billie up the British charts, Proceeding Dusty Springfield debut by about seven months. With her Jet Black hair, Big doe eyes and vampy and unique cloths style Billie was was of the earliest images of the 60'S Brit scene. Certainly a muse for the tabloids too. The heavy promotion for 'Tell Him' had Billie performing and touring with mega acts The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, to name a few. It can be said the Billie certainly has a story or two to tell about those times. "Tours at that time would last for 6 weeks and we would be playing small Essoldo theatres which are now I'm sad to say, became Bingo halls and today remain empty. Morecambe Winter gardens I recall on the Rolling Stones tour. Last night of the tour Mick and Keith got hold of the key's to the props cupboard and got the wind machines out and almost blew everyone off the stage. During my spot Whilst bopping around on the stage I turned to see Charlie Watts giving Mick a piggyback across the stage they were both chasing me around. I thought in a minute they will trip and we might all end up in the orchestra pit."
Billie enjoyed a great build up of success with 'Tell Him' but her career hit a brutal and very tragically early stump at the end of 1963. It was while promoting her follow up single to 'Tell Him', the song 'He's The One'. Billie was involved in a serious car accident along with Jet Harris of
The Shadows. Jet and Billie had become a much loved and hounded couple for the Tabloids, and were together in a chauffeured car that hit a Midland red bus. Billie in fact pulled Jet from the wreckage and both sustained various injuries. In particular Billie received a serious broken jaw and as a result was unable to do any performing or promotion . This caused serious damage to her career, as the music industry was at such a fast moving pace, Billie was temporarily lost from the limelight.
"A Midland red bus without looking pulled out into the main road and we sailed straight into it. Jet fell forward and hit his head on the ash tray. I was sleeping side way's so fell forward and hit my jaw on the seat. I got myself together pulled Jet out of the car and lay him on the side of the road. Just behind us there had been a load of fans on motor bikes who had been to the show they called the ambulance. I was taken to The Harley Street clinic to find that I had broken my jaw. They operated and I was wired for 6.months living on baby Foods. Along came Sandie, Cilla. all supporting the Billie Davis bob. I couldn't record, couldn't do anything"
But not for long, Once recovered Billie was back to work and had success with songs such as 'Angel Of The Morning' and 'Want you to be my
Baby'. Billie enjoyed touring the globe and discovered fans from Communist Europe to South America. Billie in Particular found much success in Spain with 'I Want You To Be My Baby', produced by Michael Aldred, featuring the voices of Madeline Bell , Doris Troy, Kike Dee, Kay Garner and the Moody Blues Pulled from the studio next door. Billie actually also translated and recorded a version in Spanish.
"I did Top of the Pops the record was selling 12.000 a day I remember very clearly a friend of mine was looking after Joe Cocker and we were doing the same sales a day. Then Decca had a strike at the factory and they wouldn't press anymore records so it killed it. Bad luck yet again."
Billie also recorded the Moody Blues classic Number 'Nights In white Satin' which she performed on Spanish television and had a hit with
there. Loving the country and it's people Billie spent a great deal of time in Spain and still has very much a strong fan base there today.
"The Spanish people really took me into their hearts. I was playing bullrings . I also toured South America Following Matt Munro around the circuit. Matt had a huge hit with Born Free. I worked along with Julio Englasas. I picked up award international artiste of the year, is equivalent of Hello Mag"
Billie has never really stopped working, just a few breaks bringing up her two children, but has continued to gig and write. Billie writing
her own material led to an album recording called 'Stormy' featuring legendary guitarist Albert Lee. This work took quite a country feel, and revealing Billie as a great songwriter. Touring the country with various sixties shows has resulted in Billie working with a huge range of long time friends and other Sixties legends of her own time. The Likes of The Searchers, Marty Wilde, The Tornados, John Leyton and P.J Proby. Billie recently discovered a great fan base in Australia on a tour with P.J and Gerry and The Pacemakers. Most recently Billie has been working hard on a tour with another old friend Jet Harris. Jet Harris presents me and my Shadows has successfully toured the UK and features the talents of Top class band The Rapiers. Billie has also been working with Mike Sarne, again another old friend, in her debut role in Pantomime. Moving with the times Billie has discovered a new younger generation of fans through the internet. Her recent album release 'The Decca Years' and provoked a new interest in her and echoes the current interest for the era. Through popular website Myspace Billie receives fan mail from fans from the era up to young and current retro bands who are discovering her for the first time. This current interest has also sparked off a new release for Billie From RPM Records. 'Whatcha Gonna Do' features very early and rare recordings from th sixties. It even feature's some early live recordings. "Sixties music is not just popular again, it never really went away"
Billie has also been working with the heritage foundation, placing various blue Plaques and raising money for various causes including the Tsunami Benefit, and poverty charities . Billie and The Rapiers recently put on a tribute lunch for the Late Tommy Bruce , another sixties icon. This event raised money for the Macmillan Trust.
