House Long Shadows

The Shadows are usually thought of as the quintessential British instrumental group and, along with the American band the Ventures and the Swedish group the Spotnicks, one of the most popular instrumental groups in the world. But that barely tells the story of their true significance in the history of British rock & roll – including the fact that they were the first homegrown British rock & roll band to dominate the U.K. charts, or that they weren't originally an instrumental group, either.

Specs Appeal: What a great title! To two generations of fans, the Shadows' most instantly familiar trademark was Hank Marvin's spectacles – long before Elton John elevated eye glasses to the height of sartorial chic, there was Hank, playing away and smiling behind a gentle pair of horn rims…

Recorded at Sunset Park, Oxford Pa.May 4 1958 and other locations from 1957 to 1962. Songs included: Going to the races - Just another broken heart - I hope you have learned - Here today and gone tomorrow - Thinking of the old days - Lonesome road blues - John Henry the steel driving man - White house blues - They sleep together now at rest - Going to Georgia - The propaganda routine - Katy Cline - Long journey home