Hank Marvin has been a major influence on guitar heroes ever since he first played lead guitar with “The Shadows”, the UK’s top instrumental band during the great years of the 1960’s.

Hank’s unrivaled echoed picking on that famous red Fender Stratocaster- with the employment of an attached tremolo arm is often cited as the inspirational source of the fretboard pyrotechnics of Jeff Beck, Richie Blackmore, and numerous other guitar icons. Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Mark Knofler and Neil Young all began by playing in groups imitating the Shadows, of whom Marvin in his black horn rimmed specs, was the principal public face.

Cliff Richard’s early chart toppers, “Move it” “Living Doll”, “Traveling Light” kick-started a truly awesome string of forty three top twenty hit singles in just ten years. The Shadows, four instrumental virtuoso’s soon became legends themselves scoring five number one hits, including the legendary Apache and numerous other international top ten hits as well as appearing in and writing songs for for hit movies such as “The Young Ones” and “Summer Holiday”. The Shadows disbanded in 1968 but only to reform several years later.

Hank Marvin’s solo career began with his eponymous top twenty album. Then in the early seventies seeking a fresh artistic direction, Hank joined up with Bruce Welch and John Farrar to record two harmony vocal albums, “Marvin Welch and Farrar” and “Second Opinion”, with a subsequent release entitled simply “Marvin and Farrar”. Towards the end of the seventies a re-formed Shadows hit the top of the album charts with “Twenty Golden Greats” followed by more top ten albums. They hit the singles top ten again, first with “Don’t cry for me Argentina” followed by “The Theme from the Deer Hunter” and “Riders in the Sky”.

Then in 1982 Hank charted with a solo single “Don’t Talk” and after working with The Shadows during the eighties went on to record a sustained series of solo albums throughout the following two decades, several of which reached the top ten and gold record status. During the recording and subsequent live performances of these albums Hank introduced more of his acoustic guitar work than before which met with audience approval; this audience response was the catalyst for his top ten acoustic “Guitar Player” CD in 2002. Hank and his band, which included his son Ben on guitar, performed their last concert tour, a sixty three day sprint around Europe culminating with a final show at The London Palladium in 2002.
In 2009 Cliff Richard and the Shadows joined forces to record many of their greatest hits from the late fifties to the mid sixties this was combined with with a hugely successful sell out arena tour of the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The DVD of the tour topped the DVD charts. Hank’s professional journey has repeatedly taken him around the globe and seen him acknowledged as one of the world’s leading musical talents. Jimmy Page- “Hank had the first Fender Stratocaster that came into England and he made a great impression on me” Brian May- “I, in common with thousand of others, started to learn Hank’s single note style. None of us ever quite got that great sound.” Eric Clapton- “When I was thrashing around on acoustic guitar there was someone who had already found and settled on a clear, pure sound; that was Hank Marvin. The result was a clear sweet melody over a strong rock beat.” Jeff Beck-“Hank is 80% of the reason I started playing guitar.”

Nunzio Mondia’s journey in music began at a remarkably young age, as he embarked on his professional career at the tender age of 16. His early years were marked by a deep passion for music, particularly the piano, which eventually led him to pursue a career as a pianist and musical director.
His pursuit of musical excellence took him to the prestigious halls of the Conservatorium of Music and Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Here, Nunzio honed his craft and academic pursuits, earning a Bachelor of Education, a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies, and a Master of Education. This academic foundation not only strengthened his musical abilities but also equipped him with a deep understanding of music education and its intricacies.

Nunzio’s training was comprehensive, covering various aspects of music including jazz, arranging, composition, and experimental music research. This diverse skill set laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors and collaborations. Throughout his illustrious career, Nunzio has had the privilege of collaborating with a wide array of international stars. From working with icons like Hugh Jackman, Shirley Bassey, and Michael Crawford to sharing the stage with legendary groups like The Supremes, Nunzio’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. His collaborations also extend to renowned artists such as Thelma Houston, Julie Anthony, Tommy Tycho, and even Eric Idle of Monty Python fame.

Nunzio’s talents as an arranger and soloist have been showcased on numerous occasions. As a member of the Arrangers Guild of Australia (MAGA), he has provided exquisite arrangements that have enriched the musical landscape. His performances as a soloist with the WA Symphony Orchestra and his orchestration work for the WA Ballet Company, as well as the Kiev and St. Petersburg Ballet Companies, have been met with critical acclaim.

One of Nunzio’s notable achievements includes composing the score for the Walkley Award-winning documentary “They Said Don’t Worry – The Deborah Maybury Story,” which aired on Channel 9 Perth. This project not only showcased his exceptional musical talents but also highlighted his ability to evoke emotions and tell compelling stories through music.

Nunzio’s collaboration with Hank Marvin, which began in 1994 during the recording of the “Hank Plays Cliff” album, has been a significant milestone in his career. Since then, the two musicians have collaborated on several of Hank’s solo albums, creating music that continues to captivate audiences around the world.
It’s fascinating how he has worked with artists across different genres and mediums, from orchestras to ballet companies and even scoring documentaries. His collaboration with Hank Marvin is also noteworthy, spanning several albums and showcasing their creative partnership.
It’s clear that Nunzio’s contributions to the music world are significant, and his continued work in arranging and producing for various artists shows his enduring passion for music.

In the 1960s, Gary Taylor was a founder member of the UK band “The Herd”, which featured an equally young Peter Frampton. The band produced hit records such as “From the Underworld” and “I Don’t Want Our Loving to Die,” which are still occasionally played on radio stations to this day.

During the 1970s, Gary established a secondary career as a BBC radio disc jockey and presenter. He was also in high demand as a session bass player and guitarist, contributing to many hit records with artists such as Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, Stealers Wheel, Demis Roussos, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fox, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Proclaimers, Gerry Rafferty, and Rodriguez, among others.

In the late 1980s, Gary emigrated to Perth, Western Australia, where he began a new career as a jingle writer and voice-over artist for agencies in both Australia and Singapore. It was during this time that he unexpectedly encountered Hank Marvin, who had also emigrated a couple of years earlier.

Hank invited Gary to play bass on his new album Hank Plays Cliff in 1994, which eventually achieved gold status. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long musical partnership, with Gary often contributing on keyboards, bass, rhythm guitar, and occasionally vocals, in addition to his arranging skills.

Presently, Gary continues to write occasional jingles, work as a voice-over artist, produce music from his home studio, and teach guitar and bass. His diverse career and musical talents have left a lasting impact on the music industry, showcasing his versatility and enduring passion for music.

Gary’s journey through the music industry has been one of remarkable diversity and adaptability. From his early days as a founding member of “The Herd,” where his musical talents first began to shine, to his later roles as a radio personality, session musician, and jingle writer, Gary has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to excel in a wide range of musical endeavors.

His work with Hank Marvin on Hank Plays Cliff stands as a testament to his skill and versatility as a musician. Not only did he provide solid bass lines for the album, but he also contributed keyboards, rhythm guitar, and vocals, showcasing his ability to adapt to different musical roles with ease.

Beyond his musical talents, Gary’s warm personality and genuine love for music have endeared him to fans and colleagues alike.