Jet Harris, the original Shadow RIP | reviews, news & interviews
Jet Harris, the original Shadow RIP
Jet Harris, the original Shadow RIP
Farewell to The Shadows' original bassist, one of the architects of British rock'n'roll
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/mast_image_landscape/public/mastimages/47234ded7135c9728a20f0044ddce280.jpg?itok=5kiklHD8)
Jet Harris was one of the architects of British rock'n'roll. His death rams home just how distant that era now seems. A former skiffler, he joined The Shadows after a spell backing Terry Dene, British rock's first bad boy. In time, Harris became a bad boy too, setting the template for the self-destructive lifestyle that would become a cliché. But his moody image will survive too. His rumbling bass guitar will forever be synonymous with those evocative Shadows' hits.
Jet Harris was one of the architects of British rock'n'roll. His death rams home just how distant that era now seems. A former skiffler, he joined The Shadows after a spell backing Terry Dene, British rock's first bad boy. In time, Harris became a bad boy too, setting the template for the self-destructive lifestyle that would become a cliché. But his moody image will survive too. His rumbling bass guitar will forever be synonymous with those evocative Shadows' hits.
Add comment
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
![The Twilights in late 1966, while they were in London](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Twilights%20London%20late%201966_header_1000.jpg?itok=KoHqvPm1)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/bloom%20cover.jpg?itok=5EIl5wY7)
![Kele Okereke: 'both maturing and as serious and creatively hungry as he’s ever been'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Kele%20-%20The%20Singing%20Winds%20Pt.%203%20-%20Album%20Art.jpeg?itok=zCDWlCLr)
![The Weather Station's 'Humanhood': about its ebb and flow](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/The%20Weather%20Station%20-%20Humanhood.jpg?itok=7IqO8uFh)
!['Perverts': dark and experimental](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Ethel%20cain%20-%20PERVERTS%20TAD.jpg?itok=A2lX0Co9)
![In favour of heavenly bodies](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/moon.png?itok=7vMVk3_Q)
![Yeti Lane, whose 2012 ‘The Echo Show’ album became a pointer towards the Sonic Cathedral label: Ben Pleng (left), Charlie Boyer (right)](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Celebrate%20Yourself_yeti_lane_header%201000.jpg?itok=3Ti-Oix6)
![Lambrini Girls - plenty to say about society's shortcomings](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Lambrini%20Girls%20-%20Who%20Let%20The%20Dogs%20Out%20TAD.jpg?itok=tiRUE5dq)
![Worthwhile and creative: sixth album from Scottish post-punk, indie rockers](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/franz-ferdinand-the-human-fear.jpg?itok=6069nakM)
![Bridget Hayden and The Apparitions’ ‘Cold Blows The Rain’: ghostly](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Bridget%20Hayden%20and%20The%20Apparitions%20-%20Cold%20Blows%20The%20Rain.jpg?itok=NTRDGZFk)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Missionary_CD_cover.jpg?itok=tuSXZvU8)
![Two little dudes taking it all in](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/ChiheiHatakayama_ShunIshiwaka_MagnificentLittleDudes_Vol-1_530x%402x_0.jpg?itok=Vx2LKyNo)
Comments
...
Jet 'Harris' - numpty!
Jet 'Harris' - numpty!
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Hi Brian Our old Mum reckons
...
He was a great artist. :(
...
...
...
A sad sad day, we will miss