John Rostill
Encyclopedia
John Henry Rostill was an English
bassist
and composer
, recruited by The Shadows
to replace Brian Locking
.
, Birmingham
, England
, Rostill worked with several artists
before joining The Shadows, including Bournemouth band The interns (nowadays sometimes confused with Welsh band The Interns
who were based in London at this time, signed with Tito Burns Agency. In fact, they were two different bands), The Flintstones and a stint as part of Zoot Money
's early backing band. He also played in the bands recruited to back such visiting artists as the Everly Brothers and Tommy Roe
.
Stylistically, Rostill combined the solidity of Brian Locking and the adventurousness of Jet Harris
. Many of his bass lines were heavily syncopated and he developed a range of new sounds on the Burns bass during his time with the group, a longer period than Harris and Locking put together. To many players, Rostill was ahead of his time and included double-stopping in his technique. Unusually, for that time, Rostill played bass finger-style rather than with a plectrum. These days this is the accepted style of playing a bass guitar, though when playing very fast bass lines, or to produce a percussive quality to the notes, then he did use a heavy gauge plectrum.
After The Shadows break-up at the end of the 1960s, Rostill toured with Tom Jones
. Although he was not involved in the Marvin, Welch & Farrar
project (he was with Tom Jones at the time — 1970–72), he would have been a part of subsequent Shadows projects had he not died in November 1973, when he was electrocuted
in his home recording studio
.
Rostill was a prolific songwriter
, contributing to the Shadows' output from the start (both as a solo composer and as part of the mid-sixties "Marvin/Welch/Bennett/Rostill" team). This combination composed hits: "The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt
” (a UK no. 5, 1964) and
“Genie with the Light Brown Lamp" (UK no. 17, 1965).
They also wrote the Cliff Richard and the Shadows hits, "I Could Easily Fall (In Love with You)" (UK no. 6, 1964), "Time Drags By" (UK no. 10, 1966) and "In the Country" (UK no. 6, 1967).
He later went on to write for other artists such as Elvis Presley
and Olivia Newton-John
("Let Me Be There
" (US no. 6, 1973), "If You Love Me, Let Me Know
" (US no. 5, 1974) and "Please Mr. Please
" (US no. 3, 1975), the last-mentioned song co-written with Bruce Welch
)).
As a Shadow, Rostill played a prototype Burns "Shadows" bass guitar which differed from the production model that followed. A replica
of his bass was produced by Burns London
in late 2006. His personal favourite instrument was a Fender Precision bass, which he played in both the Terry Young Band and in Bournemouth band, the Interns. He also used it with the Shadows towards the end when the Burns instrument began to wear out.
John Rostill died in Radlett, England, on November 26, 1973. He was electrocuted by his guitar owing to faulty or improperly grounded electrical equipment.
He was survived by his wife Margaret Rostill and his son Paul (a year old when his father died) in Shenley
, Hertfordshire
.
1964 — The Interns
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, recruited by The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
to replace Brian Locking
Brian Locking
Brian "Licorice" Locking was the bass guitarist with The Shadows between 1962-1963.- Career :...
.
Biography
Born in Kings NortonKings Norton
Kings Norton is an area of Birmingham, England. It is also a Birmingham City Council ward within the formal district of Northfield.-History:...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Rostill worked with several artists
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
before joining The Shadows, including Bournemouth band The interns (nowadays sometimes confused with Welsh band The Interns
The Interns (band)
- Beginnings :Originally a duo consisting of Rikki Alan , and his brother Gerry Alan , playing local dances and working men's clubs in the area surrounding their home town of Newport, South Wales.With the addition of Mark Goodwin they became the Rikki Allen Trio, playing ballroom dates throughout...
who were based in London at this time, signed with Tito Burns Agency. In fact, they were two different bands), The Flintstones and a stint as part of Zoot Money
Zoot Money
George Bruno Money, known as Zoot Money is a British vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band...
's early backing band. He also played in the bands recruited to back such visiting artists as the Everly Brothers and Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe is an American pop music singer-songwriter.Best-remembered for his hits "Sheila" and "Dizzy" , critic Bill Dahl wrote that Roe was "widely perceived as one of the archetypal bubblegum artists of the late 1960s, but Roe cut some pretty decent rockers along the way, especially early in his...
.
Stylistically, Rostill combined the solidity of Brian Locking and the adventurousness of Jet Harris
Jet Harris
Jet Harris, MBE was an English musician. He was the bass guitarist of The Shadows until April 1962, and had subsequent success as a soloist and as a duo with the drummer Tony Meehan....
. Many of his bass lines were heavily syncopated and he developed a range of new sounds on the Burns bass during his time with the group, a longer period than Harris and Locking put together. To many players, Rostill was ahead of his time and included double-stopping in his technique. Unusually, for that time, Rostill played bass finger-style rather than with a plectrum. These days this is the accepted style of playing a bass guitar, though when playing very fast bass lines, or to produce a percussive quality to the notes, then he did use a heavy gauge plectrum.
After The Shadows break-up at the end of the 1960s, Rostill toured with Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
. Although he was not involved in the Marvin, Welch & Farrar
Marvin, Welch & Farrar
Marvin, Welch & Farrar were a 1970s British and Australian popular music group formed by two members of The Shadows as a change of direction manoeuvre by The Shadows during 1970-73 . The distinction was that while The Shadows were famous for their instrumental work, Marvin Welch & Farrar were a ...
project (he was with Tom Jones at the time — 1970–72), he would have been a part of subsequent Shadows projects had he not died in November 1973, when he was electrocuted
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
in his home recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
.
Rostill was a prolific songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, contributing to the Shadows' output from the start (both as a solo composer and as part of the mid-sixties "Marvin/Welch/Bennett/Rostill" team). This combination composed hits: "The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt
The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt
The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt is an instrumental by the British guitar group, The Shadows. It went to number 5 in the UK. The character Flingel Bunt is an imaginary character invented by the actor Richard O'Sullivan, a friend of The Shadows...
” (a UK no. 5, 1964) and
“Genie with the Light Brown Lamp" (UK no. 17, 1965).
They also wrote the Cliff Richard and the Shadows hits, "I Could Easily Fall (In Love with You)" (UK no. 6, 1964), "Time Drags By" (UK no. 10, 1966) and "In the Country" (UK no. 6, 1967).
He later went on to write for other artists such as Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
("Let Me Be There
Let Me Be There
"Let Me Be There" is a popular song written by John Rostill. It was first recorded by Olivia Newton-John in 1973 and included on her album of the same title. The country influenced song was Newton-John's first Top 10 single in the U.S., peaking at No. 6, and also won her a Grammy Award for Best...
" (US no. 6, 1973), "If You Love Me, Let Me Know
If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (song)
"If You Love Me " is a song written by John Rostill that was a 1974 hit single for Olivia Newton-John. It was her second release to hit the top 10 in the United States, reaching #5 on the pop charts. It also reached #2 on Billboards country chart...
" (US no. 5, 1974) and "Please Mr. Please
Please Mr. Please
"Please Mr. Please" is the title of a popular song from 1975 by the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. The song was written by Bruce Welch and John Rostill, both members of British pop singer Cliff Richard's backing band, The Shadows. Welch had originally recorded the song himself in 1974 with...
" (US no. 3, 1975), the last-mentioned song co-written with Bruce Welch
Bruce Welch
Bruce Welch OBE, is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer and singer, best known as a member of The Shadows.-Biography:...
)).
As a Shadow, Rostill played a prototype Burns "Shadows" bass guitar which differed from the production model that followed. A replica
Replica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
of his bass was produced by Burns London
Burns London
Burns London is a guitar-making company originally formed in 1960 as Ormston Burns Ltd. It was founded by James Ormston Burns , who has been described as the British Leo Fender...
in late 2006. His personal favourite instrument was a Fender Precision bass, which he played in both the Terry Young Band and in Bournemouth band, the Interns. He also used it with the Shadows towards the end when the Burns instrument began to wear out.
John Rostill died in Radlett, England, on November 26, 1973. He was electrocuted by his guitar owing to faulty or improperly grounded electrical equipment.
He was survived by his wife Margaret Rostill and his son Paul (a year old when his father died) in Shenley
Shenley, Hertfordshire
Shenley is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England, between Barnet and St Albans. The village is located 18.7 miles from Central London.-History:...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
.
Early career
1963 — Zoot Money Quartet- Zoot MoneyZoot MoneyGeorge Bruno Money, known as Zoot Money is a British vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band...
(keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
); Andy SummersAndy SummersAndy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
(guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
); Jimmy Shipston (guitar); John Rostill (bass); Colin AllenColin AllenColin Allen is an English blues drummer and songwriter.-Career:Allen took up drums at the age of 18, playing initially with local jazz musician in Dorset...
(drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s)
1964 — The Interns
Filmography
- Wonderful Life (US title: Swingers' Paradise)
- Finders Keepers
- Rhythm 'n Greens (B-movie)
- Thunderbirds are Go (as puppets)
Pantomimes
- AladdinAladdinAladdin is a Middle Eastern folk tale. It is one of the tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights , and one of the most famous, although it was actually added to the collection by Antoine Galland ....
(appeared with Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
) - CinderellaCinderella"Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout the world. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune...
(appeared with Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
)