Classic Pop Icons

The Shadows’ breakthrough hit “Apache” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“Apache” was released on single in July 1960, backed with “Quartermaster’s Stores”. Producer Norrie Paramor had conceived the B-side as the top side, but conceded the change when his daughters listened to both sides and preferred “Apache”.

The Shadows were originally named The Drifters and had formed in 1958 to back the rising star of British rock ‘n’ roll, Cliff Richard. After a number of hits with Cliff, they were forced to change their name in 1959 because of a legal challenge from representatives of the US vocal group of the same name. Jet Harris, who played bass in the band, suggested that as they were always in the background with Cliff up front, they should call themselves The Shadows. The name was used for the first time on Cliff Richard’s sixth single “Travellin’ Light”.

The Shadows’ began recording singles in their own right in 1959 but they failed to chart with the first three attempts – “Feelin’ Fine”/”Don’t Be A Fool,” “Jet Black”/”Driftin’,” and “Saturday Dance”/”Lonesome Fella”.

Despite the early misfires, the band didn’t give up their ambition to record away from Cliff, who actively encouraged them to do so. Their persistence would pay off in 1960 with the smash hit “Apache”. In the 2011 BBC Radio 4 documentary “The Thing About Hank,” Hank Marvin recalled how he first heard the composition:

“We’d just got back from the States in 1960 and around April/May time we were on tour. Jerry Lordan, he was on the tour with us, and said ‘Look, I’ve written a tune’. And Jerry took out his little ukulele that he used to write on…and he sang the whole tune. And we thought ‘That is sensational’. We did our arrangement of it and that’s how we came to get Apache…

It’s just a quality composition and something that was different at the time too.”

The composition borrows from musical themes adopted by Hollywood cowboy films, as noted by Dire Straits’ guitarist Mark Knopfler in the same BBC Radio 4 show:

“It’s like a fantastic cowboy theme and I think that grabbed the attention of the world at the time. You’re talking about elemental, instrumental music. There was this big screen fascination with the movies and all of that, and I think some of those Jerry Lordan pieces of music seemed to conjure up that feeling”.

The material was very well suited to Hank Marvin’s stellar guitar technique and atmospheric guitar sound. Hank’s friend, Joe Brown, had first introduced Hank to the possibilities of guitar enhancement, via his Italian Meazzi (sic) echo box. This reverb, coupled with Marvin’s fine technique, including liberal use of tremolo, are strong features of The Shadows’ best work, including “Apache”.

“Apache” – The Shadows”

Authorship

“Apache” was written by Jerry Lordan. He would go on to pen such hits as The Shadows’ “Wonderful Land” and “Atlantis”, and Cliff Richard’s “A Girl Like You”.

Recording date/location

“Apache” was recorded on June 17, 1960 at Abbey Road Studios, London.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on Apache:

• Hank Marvin – electric lead guitar
• Bruce Welch – acoustic rhythm guitar
• Jet Harris – bass
• Tony Meehan and Cliff Richard – percussion.

Chart performance

“Apache” reached number one on the UK singles chart on August 11, 1960 and remained on top for five weeks. The song replaced Cliff Richard and The Shadows’ “Please Don’t Tease” at number one. “Apache” was the first of The Shadows’ five solo UK number ones. The others were “Kon-Tiki,” “Wonderful Land,” “Dance On!” and “Foot Tapper”.

The single was also number one across Europe and in Australia. It did not chart in the US.

Notable other versions

“Apache” – Bert Weedon

Bert Weedon’s recording is notable for being the first version of “Apache,” as Lordan sent it to him before The Shadows recorded it. This is taken at a slower tempo than The Shadows’ version and overall lacks the punch of the more famous recording, even with the busy percussion. The classic Hank Marvin intro sets up The Shadows’ version so well that it is very much missed here.

“Apache” – Jørgen Ingmann

The Danish guitarist, Jørgen Ingmann, had the hit version of “Apache” in the US, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Ingmann closely modelled his recording on The Shadows’ version, with some additional jazzy guitar fills included. It’s a fine recording but The Shadows’ version remains the definitive cut.

The Shadows’ “Apache” is available on many compilations, including “The Shadows’ Greatest Hits”.

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