The Space Shuttle - The Shadows should record this tune

What shame America now has to beg a ride into space from the Russians of all people!!! You must be joking Obama! just wait until the Chinese start landing on the Moon, I'll bet there'll be a panic in The White House then!

Back in the early 80's the first Space Shuttle Columbia had it's maiden flight. I remember watching it on TV and I was so impressed by the spectacle and the technology that I thought ' this is an event on a par with the launch of 'Telstar' satelite in the 60's and that it should be marked in a similar way with a tune to celebrate! I wrote this tune for 'The Shadows' with the 60's classic 'Telstar' in mind and I dreamt that it would go on to be their biggest hit and sell millions around the World. I sent the demo in to 'The Shadows' management and guess what!..............diddly squat, zero, sweet nuthin' F.A! so I put it away and forgot about it.

Now the Shuttle fleet is about to be retired I'm still so impressed 30 years later with NASA and the succcess of the Shuttle program that I thought that the old tune I wrote so long ago should have a larger audience, so thanks to YouTube here it is.!.

Recorded at 'Toucan' Studios, Hayling Island in 1981 by the band I was playing with at the time 'Sleeper'. I didn't have a Stratocaster ( I should have hired or bought one for that true Shadows sound) but what the hell, I played it on my trusty Telecaster with too much compression (as was the norm back then!). Great drumming from my Brother Ken who was playing his Champagne Sparkle USA Rogers kit. Terrific Bass playing by Dave Saunders. I even included a section in the tune for Bruce Welch to play harmony (aka Nivram) and this section on the demo was played by the band rythm player and vocalist Charlie Keenan. Charlie is still a 'Legend in his own lunchtime' around the Hampshire town of Petersfield.

That's it, hope you like this in YouTube land.....and if you get to see this Hank or Bruce I reckon you could still do a great version of 'Shuttle' to co-incide with the last Shuttle flight scheduled for later this year. You never know, you might sell a shit load of records(downloads) too!!!

Shuttle Images from http:spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle

Ron Hughes (ronh2510@yahoo.com)
Southampton
Hampshire
UK

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[MrKENHUGHES]

This is the drummer speaking !

My brother Ron wrote this catchy number and what a good idea it was, let alone the tune itself. It brings back loads of memories of the studio, my wonderful "Rogers USA" drum kit in "Champagne Sparkle" that I wish I`d never sold, the good times, the arguments and all through the alcoholic haze.

The "B" side is also excellent. It`s a vocal called "I`ve come good". Not to be confused with "I`ve cum good" which is different altogether. Put the "B" side on Ron !

[rcpinsa]

excellent

[Andrewshadowy]

Nice video and tune. I wish The Shadows would make a new album with new material, who know they still may record again...

[QbrianT]

Hi Ron,

Fantastic playing and super video. A great piece of composing.

It's a great shame they didn't take your music seriously.

You never know Ron, there just may be a shrewd producer out there that might see a buck in this.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you (except when I'm playing Guitar).

Please give us poor guitar players some more of your impressive talent.

Best wishes,

Brian