IT IS difficult to believe the record Apache by Hank Marvin and The Shadows was once so ground-breaking it sent shockwaves through young listeners.

But BBC Radio Solent's Richard Cartridge can remember the day Cliff Richard's backing band caused the sensation, very clearly.

"Basically no-one had ever heard anything like it before. I needed to know how on earth you could make that sound," the Southampton-based presenter says.

It was, of course, right back at the beginning of the rock 'n' roll era in the late 50s and became a major reason why, nearly 40 years later, Richard is the lead-singer in a band which celebrates the hits of Cliff and The Shadows.

Another reason is the fact the members of Shadowlands are good friends, who came very close to pop stardom themselves in the 60s, with the band The Valiants.

"We were actually earning £40 a night - which was fabulous money - playing places like the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London," adds Richard.

They even played with the Rolling Stones in 1964, as they were establishing themselves with the single Come On.

"Shadowlands is 99 per cent-based on the fact we're good mates and we like to do this, and don't want to let it go," continues Richard. "We don't take ourselves too seriously, and we don't try and look like the band either, that's why it's a celebration, not a tribute." The five-piece band has been given backing by Cliff himself.

Lead guitarist Mike Williams says: "We still love this particular kind of music, it's really enjoyable being out there doing it, and also seeing the response from the audience."

See the band at The Regent Centre, Christchurch, on November 28 at 8pm. Tickets £7-£8. Box office 01202 499148.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.