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The Shadows’ original bass guitarist, Jet Harris, sadly died today from throat cancer aged 71. Jet Harris was born Terence Harris in Kingsbury, North London, on July 6, 1939. He played bass in a number of groups in the 1950s, including The Vipers Skiffle Group and The Most Brothers, but things really took off for him when he joined Cliff Richard’s backing group The Drifters in 1959. The band would soon be renamed The Shadows and become hugely popular as both a solo group and Cliff’s sidemen.

Jet played on many of Cliff’s and The Shadows’ earliest and best loved hits before leaving the group in 1962.

Cliff Richard and The Shadows – “Please Don’t Tease”

Cliff Richard and The Shadows – “Nine Times Out of Ten”

The Shadows – “F.B.I.”

After leaving The Shadows, Jet had some success with both solo releases and collaborations with former Shadows drummer Tony Meehan. Harris and Meehan’s biggest success was “Diamonds” which topped the UK charts in 1963.

Jet Harris & Tony Meehan – “Diamonds”

Unfortunately, a series of personal problems, including a car crash and heavy drinking, meant that Jet’s career tapered off as the decade progressed. However, he was recording again from the late 1980s and released a string of albums over the next two decades. He also reunited with Cliff Richard at “The Event” concert at Wembley Stadium in 1989, and continued to perform live until recently.

Cliff Richard (featuring Jet Harris) – “Move It” (1989)

Jet Harris received an MBE for services to music in 2010. He was also twice honoured by Fender for his role in popularising the electric bass guitar in the UK.

Cliff Richard paid the following tribute to Jet Harris today: