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Hank Marvin
Biography
A major influence on British guitar heroes of the '70s such as Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, Hank Marvin played lead guitar for the Shadows, one of the U.K.'s top instrumental outfits and backing band for Cliff Richard on most of his hits. Born Brian Robson Rankin on October 28, 1941, Marvin grew up in Newcastle learning guitar, banjo and piano. He played in various skiffle groups around the area, and met up with rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch. After moving to London in 1958, the two were recruited to serve in Cliff Richard's backing band, the Drifters, with Ian Samwell and Terry Smart. Richard's first single "Move It" hit number two on the British charts, and two other singles -- "Living Doll" and "Travellin' Light" -- hit number one the following year. Samwell and Smart left the band -- now called the Shadows, to avoid confusion with the American vocal group -- and were replaced by bassist Jet Harris and drummer Tony Meehan.

The Shadows recorded several sides as an instrumental act in late 1959; one called "Apache" hit number one in the British charts. From 1960-63, the band racked up four number ones and seven Top Ten hits before disbanding in 1968.