Hank Marvin
Hank Brian Marvin (born Brian Robson Rankin,[1] 28 October 1941) is an English multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter. He is known as the lead guitarist for the Shadows.[2]
Hank Marvin
Brian Robson Rankin
28 October 1941
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
- Musician
- vocalist
- songwriter
1958–present
Early life and Early career[edit]
Marvin was born as Brian Robson Rankin at 138 Stanhope Street in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.[3] His father was an army officer. He played banjo and piano. After hearing Buddy Holly he decided to learn the guitar and also adopted Holly-style dark-rimmed glasses.[2]
He chose his stage name while launching his career. It is an amalgamation of his childhood nickname, Hank, and the first name of American country singer Marvin Rainwater.
Personal life[edit]
His first wife was Beryl, with whom he had four children.[10] He is currently married to Carole, with whom he had two children.[11]
Since 1986, Marvin has lived in Perth, Western Australia. He has made impromptu appearances on stage when musician friends visit the area, such as in February 2013 when Cliff Richard held a concert at Sandalford Winery. He is one of Jehovah's Witnesses.[12] Marvin has developed a keen interest in the music of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and performs regularly with his group, "Hank Marvin's Gypsy Jazz".
Style and influence[edit]
According to Guitar.com, "In 1960 [Marvin] defined the role of 'lead guitarist'" and "became the first British 'guitar hero'". The website continued, "Hank is legendary for his expressive phrasing, but rather than use his Strat's controls to accentuate volume swells, he prefers to use a pedal to give that vocal quality to his lines."[13] Marvin influenced many British rock guitarists, including George Harrison,[14] Eric Clapton,[14] David Gilmour,[14] Brian May,[15] Mark Knopfler,[14] Peter Frampton,[16] Steve Howe,[17] Roy Wood,[18] Tony Iommi,[19] Pete Townshend,[20] Jeff Beck[21] and Jimmy Page.[22]
In 1959, Cliff Richard purchased a fiesta red Fender Stratocaster for Marvin to use on stage, which is widely claimed to be the first Stratocaster in the United Kingdom. Although it allegedly still belongs to Richard, it has been in the possession of Bruce Welch since 1968.[23] Marvin has performed on stage almost exclusively with fiesta red Stratocasters since Richard's original purchase.[24]
In Canada, Cliff Richard and the Shadows had top 10 hits, especially from 1961 to 1965. Canadian guitarists Randy Bachman and Neil Young credit Marvin as influential, Young penning the song "From Hank to Hendrix" on his Harvest Moon album in partial tribute.[25][26]
"Hank Marvin" is rhyming slang for "starvin" ("starving").[27] This slang was referenced in a 2012 television advertisement for Mattessons meat company.[28]
Awards[edit]
While Welch and Bennett were both appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2004 Birthday Honours for services to music, Marvin declined for "personal reasons".[29]
On 28 October 2009, Marvin was presented with a BASCA Gold Badge Award[30] in recognition of his unique contribution to music.
Marvin also played guitar on the following tracks of library music recorded for Bruton Music: