Brian Locking: Difference between revisions
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Locking was born on 22 December 1938 in [[Bedworth]], [[Warwickshire]], England. He began playing [[double bass]] in several [[band (music)|bands]], notably with the [[Lincolnshire]] based rocker [[Vince Eager]]. He switched to bass guitar, later joining The Wildcats, a backing group for the [[rock and roll]] singer [[Marty Wilde]]. A fellow Wildcat was the drummer and future [[The Shadows|Shadow]], [[Brian Bennett (musician)|Brian Bennett]]. |
Locking was born on 22 December 1938 in [[Bedworth]], [[Warwickshire]], England. He began playing [[double bass]] in several [[band (music)|bands]], notably with the [[Lincolnshire]] based rocker [[Vince Eager]]. He switched to bass guitar, later joining The Wildcats, a backing group for the [[rock and roll]] singer [[Marty Wilde]]. A fellow Wildcat was the drummer and future [[The Shadows|Shadow]], [[Brian Bennett (musician)|Brian Bennett]]. |
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Locking also played several other instruments including [[harmonica]] and [[clarinet]] (nicknamed the "licorice stick", which earned Locking the nickname "Licorice"). Vince Eager (previously Roy Taylor) came up with the nickname "Licorice |
Locking also played several other instruments including [[harmonica]] and [[clarinet]] (nicknamed the "licorice stick", which earned Locking the nickname "Licorice"). Vince Eager (previously Roy Taylor) came up with the nickname "Licorice" when introducing Locking on stage when he played in a skiffle band in [[Ingoldmells]] in 1956. |
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When Marty Wilde parted company from The Wildcats, they changed their name to "the [[Krew Kats]]" and [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] [[instrumental]]s with modest success. Bennett then left to join the Shadows. |
When Marty Wilde parted company from The Wildcats, they changed their name to "the [[Krew Kats]]" and [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] [[instrumental]]s with modest success. Bennett then left to join the Shadows. |
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In April 1962, at Bennett's suggestion, Locking was himself invited to join [[The Shadows]] to replace the departing [[Jet Harris]]. Stylistically, Locking had a solid "less is more" approach, which was the obverse of Harris's adventurous hard-driving style. The Shadows' sound changed as a result. Locking played on some of their best known tracks, including "Dance On", "Foot Tapper" and "Atlantis". He also played the harmonica in live shows and on his signature album track, "Dakota". He appeared in the 1963 [[Cliff Richard]] film, ''[[Summer Holiday (1963 film)|Summer Holiday]]''. |
In April 1962, at Bennett's suggestion, Locking was himself invited to join [[The Shadows]] to replace the departing [[Jet Harris]]. Stylistically, Locking had a solid "less is more" approach, which was the obverse of Harris's adventurous hard-driving style. The Shadows' sound changed as a result. Locking played on some of their best known tracks, including "Dance On", "Foot Tapper" and "Atlantis". He also played the harmonica in live shows and on his signature album track, "Dakota". He appeared in the 1963 [[Cliff Richard]] film, ''[[Summer Holiday (1963 film)|Summer Holiday]]''. |
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After being in the Shadows for only eighteen months, Locking left to pursue his activities with the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. He remained on the music scene at a more compatible pace and was invited to play double bass on [[Donovan]]'s first recording session. He briefly played with the Shadows again five years later while his successor [[John Rostill]] was in hospital. In later life Locking was a regular guest playing at Shadows |
After being in the Shadows for only eighteen months, Locking left to pursue his activities with the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. He remained on the music scene at a more compatible pace and was invited to play double bass on [[Donovan]]'s first recording session. He briefly played with the Shadows again five years later while his successor [[John Rostill]] was in hospital. In later life Locking was a regular guest playing at Shadows guitar clubs across the UK and abroad. He was also frequently invited to perform with various Shadows-style bands and was fundamental to honouring their legacy in such countries as France and Germany<ref name="news" /> |
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He reprised his role in the Wildcats at Marty Wilde's 50th Anniversary Concert, where he also appeared on stage with all the surviving Shadows members. |
He reprised his role in the Wildcats at Marty Wilde's 50th Anniversary Concert, where he also appeared on stage with all the surviving Shadows members. |
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Revision as of 12:21, 10 October 2020
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2020) |
Brian Locking | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Licorice Locking |
| Born | 22 December 1938 Bedworth, Warwickshire, England |
| Origin | Grantham, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 8 October 2020 (aged 81)[1] North Wales |
| Genres | Rock and roll, rockabilly |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, harmonica, piano |
| Years active | 1956–2020 |
Brian "Licorice" Locking (22 December 1938 – 8 October 2020)[1] was an English musician and songwriter who was briefly the bass guitarist with The Shadows, between 1962 and 1963. During his tenure with the band he appeared with Sir Cliff Richard in the film Summer Holiday.[2]
Career
Locking was born on 22 December 1938 in Bedworth, Warwickshire, England. He began playing double bass in several bands, notably with the Lincolnshire based rocker Vince Eager. He switched to bass guitar, later joining The Wildcats, a backing group for the rock and roll singer Marty Wilde. A fellow Wildcat was the drummer and future Shadow, Brian Bennett.
Locking also played several other instruments including harmonica and clarinet (nicknamed the "licorice stick", which earned Locking the nickname "Licorice"). Vince Eager (previously Roy Taylor) came up with the nickname "Licorice" when introducing Locking on stage when he played in a skiffle band in Ingoldmells in 1956.
When Marty Wilde parted company from The Wildcats, they changed their name to "the Krew Kats" and recorded instrumentals with modest success. Bennett then left to join the Shadows.
In April 1962, at Bennett's suggestion, Locking was himself invited to join The Shadows to replace the departing Jet Harris. Stylistically, Locking had a solid "less is more" approach, which was the obverse of Harris's adventurous hard-driving style. The Shadows' sound changed as a result. Locking played on some of their best known tracks, including "Dance On", "Foot Tapper" and "Atlantis". He also played the harmonica in live shows and on his signature album track, "Dakota". He appeared in the 1963 Cliff Richard film, Summer Holiday.
After being in the Shadows for only eighteen months, Locking left to pursue his activities with the Jehovah's Witnesses. He remained on the music scene at a more compatible pace and was invited to play double bass on Donovan's first recording session. He briefly played with the Shadows again five years later while his successor John Rostill was in hospital. In later life Locking was a regular guest playing at Shadows guitar clubs across the UK and abroad. He was also frequently invited to perform with various Shadows-style bands and was fundamental to honouring their legacy in such countries as France and Germany[1]
He reprised his role in the Wildcats at Marty Wilde's 50th Anniversary Concert, where he also appeared on stage with all the surviving Shadows members.
Death
Brian Locking suffered from Bell's palsy, and he was registered blind. He died in a hospice in North Wales on 8 October 2020 aged 81, after having being diagnosed with a tumour on the bladder.[1]
Early career groups (pre-Shadows/Drifters)
- 1958 – Vince Taylor & the Playboys
- Vince Taylor (v) + Jim Sullivan (g) + Tony Sheridan (g) + Brian Locking (b) + Brian Bennett (d)
- 1958 – Janice Peters & the Playboys
- Janice Peters (v) + Jim Sullivan (g) + Tony Sheridan (g) + Brian Locking (b) + Brian Bennett (d)
- 1959 – Marty Wilde's Wildcats
- Jim Sullivan (g) + Tony Belcher (g) + Brian Locking (b) + Brian Bennett (d)
- 1961 – The Krew Kats
- Jim Sullivan (g) + Tony Belcher (g) + Brian Locking (b) + Brian Bennett (d)
References
- ^ a b c d Newton, Graham. "Grantham musician Brian 'Licorice' Locking who found fame with The Shadows has died". Grantham Journal. Iliffe Media. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "The Shadows". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
External Links
- Brian Locking discography at Discogs
- Discogs.com entry for Vince Taylor And His Playboys
- Discogs.com entry for Janice Peters and The Playboys
- Discogs.com entry for The Krew Kats
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- Use dmy dates from June 2013
- 1938 births
- 2020 deaths
- Clarinetists
- English rock bass guitarists
- Male bass guitarists
- English double-bassists
- Male double-bassists
- English Jehovah's Witnesses
- British rock and roll musicians
- People from Bedworth
- People from Grantham
- The Shadows members
- 21st-century double-bassists
- 21st-century clarinetists