Hank Marvin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hank Marvin
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Marvin in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian Robson Rankin |
| Born | 28 October 1941 Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Genres | Beat, instrumental rock, rock & roll |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1958–present |
Hank Brian Marvin (born Brian Robson Rankin, 28 October 1941) is a famous English musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the legendary band The Shadows. His unique guitar sound has inspired many musicians around the world.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Hank Marvin was born Brian Robson Rankin in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His dad was an army officer. As a kid, he learned to play the banjo and piano. After hearing the American rock and roll star Buddy Holly, Hank decided he wanted to play the guitar. He even started wearing cool dark-rimmed glasses, just like Buddy Holly!
When he started his music career, he picked the stage name Hank Marvin. "Hank" was his childhood nickname. "Marvin" came from the first name of an American country singer named Marvin Rainwater.
Music Career Highlights
Joining The Shadows
In April 1958, when Hank was 16, he moved to London to chase his dream of becoming a musician. He and his friend, Bruce Welch, met Johnny Foster, who managed the singer Cliff Richard. Foster was looking for a guitarist for Cliff Richard's band, which was then called the Drifters.
Hank got the job, but only if Bruce could join too! They met Cliff Richard and started practicing. In 1959, the band changed its name to The Shadows because there was already an American band called the Drifters.
The Shadows became super famous for their instrumental songs, which means songs without singing. Some of their biggest hits include "Apache" (1960), "F.B.I." (1961), "Wonderful Land" (1962), and "Foot Tapper" (1963). The band took a break for a few years but got back together in 1973.
The Shadows and Cliff Richard even reunited for special tours in 2004, 2005, 2009, and 2010.
Solo Music and Collaborations
After The Shadows first split up in 1968, Hank released his first solo album in 1969. It was full of instrumental guitar songs with orchestral music. One of his songs, "Sacha," even became a number one hit in New South Wales, Australia!
Hank has tried many different music styles in his solo career. He's released albums with mostly instrumental songs, some with singing, and even one with only acoustic guitars.
In the 1970s, Hank and Bruce Welch formed a singing group called Marvin, Welch & Farrar. Later, Hank and his bandmates wrote many hit songs for Cliff Richard, like "On the Beach" and "I Could Easily Fall in Love with You."
Hank also worked with other famous musicians. In 1988, he played guitar on "London Kid" with French composer Jean Michel Jarre. Jarre said The Shadows inspired him to make instrumental music. Hank also played with Duane Eddy and French guitarist Jean-Pierre Danel.
Hank has continued to release solo instrumental albums, and many of them have been very popular in the UK. His most recent album, Without a Word, came out in 2017. In 2024, he played guitar on a special re-release of Mark Knopfler's song "Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" to help the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Personal Life
Hank Marvin has been married twice and has six children. Since 1986, he has lived in Perth, Western Australia. He sometimes performs with musician friends who visit the area. Hank is also a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. He loves the music of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and plays regularly with his own group, "Hank Marvin's Gypsy Jazz."
Musical Style and Influence
Hank Marvin is known as a "guitar hero" because of his amazing playing. He was one of the first British guitarists to become so famous. He's known for making his guitar sound almost like it's singing, using a special pedal.
Hank Marvin has inspired many famous rock guitarists, including George Harrison (from The Beatles), Eric Clapton, David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd), Brian May (from Queen), Mark Knopfler (from Dire Straits), and Jimmy Page (from Led Zeppelin).
In 1959, Cliff Richard bought a bright red Fender Stratocaster guitar for Hank to use. Many people believe this was the first Stratocaster guitar in the United Kingdom! Hank has almost always played red Stratocasters on stage ever since.
Even Canadian guitarists like Randy Bachman and Neil Young say Hank Marvin influenced them. Neil Young even wrote a song called "From Hank to Hendrix" as a tribute!
Fun fact: In British slang, "Hank Marvin" is a rhyming way to say "starving" (meaning very hungry)!
Awards and Recognition
In 2009, Hank Marvin received a BASCA Gold Badge Award. This award recognized his incredible and unique contributions to music.
Images for kids
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Hank Marvin in 2007
In Spanish: Hank Marvin para niños
