Hank B Marvin and the first Fender Stratocaster in the UK - Thanks to Cliff Richard, pop music was changed forever!

Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin with Fiesta red Fender Stratocasters -

picture in 1959 and around 1999

Think of a red Fender Stratocaster, perhaps a common sight today, but in 1959 the sight of one was a sensation. And Shadows guitarist Hank B. Marvin was said to be the first owner of such an instrument. This guitar changed the course of 1960's pop music, made possible by Hank's talent and Cliff Richard's generosity.

Hank Marvin, Jet Harris and Bruce Welch of the Shadows in 1960

Black and white photography was the norm in 1960, splashes of colour print were fairly uncommon except on magazine covers. Which is why very few colour pictures of Hank's original guitar exist, mostly on record sleeves.

Cliff Richard wearing the famous pink jacket and Hank's guitar

So, what was special about this guitar? Most guitars around in the UK were cheaply made and poorly made by today's standards, unless you could buy a quality often American made instrument.

Cliff Richard and his MK2 Drifters - Hank Marvin totes an Antoria guitar

Hank Marvin's emerging guitar talent was shaped by the receipt of a top of the range Fender Stratocaster in 1959, no. 34,346 to be precise. Featuring Fiesta red paint, Gold plated hardware and an attractive Birdseye Maple neck, it was modern and brilliant.

Matching suits, business like stagecraft and great talent - 

These factors put Cliff Richard and his Shadows at the forefront of British pop music

It made everything else look staid and out of date. When Hank plugged it in to a Vox Echo machine and a Vox AC15 amplifier, he was quickly able to grasp the possibilities it offered. A superior tone, ease of playing, ease of comfort to the player and the look, that was almost as important as anything. That great, functional and modern design.

The Shadows first album cover featured their Fender guitars -

Their early picture sleeves were almost a showcase for Fender instruments

The Fender Stratocaster was a triumph of design, of form and function. It endures today, having seen off many pretenders to its crown. Designed in 1953, first produced in 1954, by 1959, Hank's was at the pinnacle of development. 

Cliff playing Apache on Hank's guitar 1960 Cliff's ATV show

From 1959, many schoolbooks started to acquire doodles of that curious looking guitar. Many young people were wanting to own that guitar and play like Hank. The guitar, its sound and what Hank was doing with his playing style would spur many future big names to take up the guitar - Brian May for one.

Cliff Richard and the Shadows on their 50th anniversary final tour

Six decades on, Hank still produces great music on a Stratocaster

For Hank Marvin, that fabled red Stratocaster built him a career, paved the way for artists including the Beatles to follow a career in pop music. If you own one of these great guitars, you'll know why they are so great!