Chart entered : 9 October 1959
Chart peak : 1
Number of hits : 58 ( 28 jointly with Cliff Richard )
As previously noted the Drifter's original lead guitarist Norman Mitcham didn't play on "Move It" and left the band at that point. Jack Good sent out his associate John Foster to find a new guitarist and while actually looking for Tony Sheridan ( later to make a record with The Beatles of course ) came across 17-year old Hank Marvin in a Soho coffee bar. Hank was originally Brian Rankin from Newcastle who was inspired to learn the guitar after hearing a Buddy Holly record. He played with a lot of echo and vibrato to achieve a distinctive sound.
Foster invited him to join the Drifters for a tour in support of The Kalin Twins. Hank agreed if his schoolfriend Bruce Welch a rhythm guitarist could come in too. Foster agreed and Ian Samwell moved over to bass to accommodate Welch. This arrangement lasted barely a month before Jet Harris from the Vipers Skiffle Group was invited in to replace Samwell who still contributed a few songs after being ousted from the group. Drummer Terry Smart lasted to the end of the year before quitting and being replaced by another Viper Tony Meehan.
So in effect the classic line up had been in place since the third Cliff Richard and the Drifters single "Livin Lovin Doll" but this was the first single under the new name.
Here's the Popular link Shadows. Good comment from Wichita Lineman.
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