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.
Marvin, while continuing to appear and record with
Cliff Richard, began a solo career with a self-titled album in 1969; it reached number 14 in the album charts. In the early '70s, he reunited with
Welch and also
John Farrar as
Marvin, Welch and Farrar. The trio recorded both an eponymous LP and
Second Opinion, and then
Marvin and
Farrar recorded an additional album as a duo.
Marvin moved to Australia and became a Jehovah's Witness in 1973, but later joined a re-formed
Shadows. The group resumed recording, and hit the Top Ten in 1978-79 with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and "Theme from 'The Deerhunter'."
Hank Marvin's only chart success as a solo act was 1982's
Words and Music, which featured the U.K. hit "Don't Talk." He recorded
All Alone with Friends in 1983, and then re-appeared in the '90s with four albums --
Into the Light,
Heartbeat,
Hank Plays Cliff and Hank Plays Holly. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide