The Shadows - Bruce Welch

Born 2 November 1941, Bruce was brought up by his Aunt Sadie after his mother died when he was only 5 years old.

At Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle in 1957 Bruce formed his first skiffle group, the 'Railroaders'. He persuaded one of his school friends, Brian 'Hank' Rankin, to join initially playing banjo but later on guitar.

As has already been chronicled, the railroaders entered a talent contest in London in 1958. Bruce and Hank decided to stay in London and were soon asked to join Cliff Richard's backing group 'The Drifters' which later became 'The Shadows' after Jet Harris and Tony Meehan had joined them.

For more than thirty years, missing only for a period in 1969, Bruce was the rhythm guitarist for the Shadows. Many knowledgable fans will insist that Bruce's excellent rhythm playing was just as important as Hank's distinctive lead guitar work in establishing the Shadows' unique (indeed legendary) position in the history of British Rock and Roll music. Bruce's singing voice was also a distinct asset to the vocal performances of Cliff and the Shadows.

Bruce's influence has been as more than just a performer. As well as being responsible as composer of many of Cliff and the Shadows early hits, it was Bruce who 'discovered' Olivia Newton-John, became her producer and penned her million-selling US No1 single 'Please Mr Please'. When Cliff's career was faltering in the mid 70s, Bruce was largely responsible for re-launching it by producing his 'I'm Nearly Famous' album as well as some of his most successful singles 'We Don't Talk Anymore', 'Devil Woman' and 'Miss You Nights'. Bruce's story was told in his autobiography 'Rock 'n' Roll I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life' in 1989. Highly recommended to anyone who hasn't yet read it!
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Bruce in Paris 1997