Brian Locking
Brian Locking  

Brian 'Licorice' Locking became the Shadows' bass guitarist after Jet left to pursue his solo career in spring of 1962.

Licorice had played alongside Brian Bennett earlier and enjoyed chart success as a member of Marty Wilde's backing group the Wild Cats which later became the Krew Kats.

 
An all-round musician, Brian's nickname was a result of his proficiency with the 'licorice stick' (clarinet). He also provided variety to the 'Shadows sound' by occasionally playing the harmonica. Noteably on his own composition 'licorice' (which has appeared on the Fremus CD 'Atlantis' - CDFR 0543). His version of 'Stranger on the Shore' was a regular feature of Shadows stage performances of 1962/3, and , perhaps the best of all, his harmonica features heavily on the track 'Dakota' on the 'Sounds of the Shadows' LP.

Brian Locking only stayed with the Shadows for eighteen months, his final appearance being at the London Palladium in November 1963. His dedication to the work of God through the Jehovah's Witness faith was far more important to him than life as a pop star and when he found that the latter was interfering with the former, he left the group so that he could devote all his time to his religious activities as a Jehovah's Witness. Whilst a member of the group, he is credited as having a large influence on the religious beliefs of both Cliff and Hank.

Brian Locking at Pipeline Convention, April 13th 1998

Shadowmania 1998