As Cliff Richard and the then-Drifters largely dominated the UK rock charts, two future stars were paying close attention: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. “Move It” became a huge hit, propelling Richard to fame. Unfortunately the label, Columbia, often insisted on having studio musicians augment the Drifters – even though Richards’ breakthrough single, “Move It,” was written by Samwell. Richard soon earned a recording contract, with the Drifters as his backing band. After one more change - the addition of yet another guitarist, Ken Pavey - they recorded a demo in 1958.
Thus, Webb chose the stage name that would become world famous: Cliff Richard (soon becoming Cliff Richard and the Drifters). Foster recommended that the group change its name to something more exciting, and wanted Webb to take a more prominent role. Eventually, they were joined by another guitarist - Ian Samwell - and gained a manager, John Foster. After playing around their native Chesthunt, Hertfordshire and moving on to London, they frequently performed to packed audiences at the 2i’s coffee bar in London’s Soho. The first born-and-bred British rock band to find great success, the Shadows began life in 1958, when original members Harry Webb (lead vocals/guitar), Terry Smart (drums), and Norman Mitham (guitar) formed a group called the Drifters. The song title itself is an ode to one of their first influences: the Shadows, a British instrumental group who would also become known as Cliff Richard’s backing band. The instrumental, recorded June 22-23, 1961, is a snapshot of the group’s nascent years, a time when they were emulating current music while discovering their own voices. The Beatles’ first original composition to be professionally recorded, “Cry for a Shadow” also represents a rare collaboration between George Harrison and John Lennon. This edition of Deep Beatles begins a four-week series on the group’s earliest recordings, both professional and home or demo.
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