# Brian Locking

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English musician (1938–2020)

Brian Locking Also known as Licorice Locking, Lic Born (1938-12-22)22 December 1938 Bedworth, Warwickshire, England Origin Grantham, Lincolnshire, England Died 8 October 2020(2020-10-08) (aged 81) North Wales Genres Rock and roll, rockabilly Occupations Musician, songwriter Instruments Bass guitar double bass harmonica clarinet piano Years active 1956–1968 Formerly of The Wildcats (later called The Krew Kats) The Shadows Cliff Richard Vince Taylor & His Playboys

Musical artist

**Brian "Licorice" Locking** (22 December 1938 – 8 October 2020)[1][2] was an English musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the bass player for [The Shadows](/source/The_Shadows) for sixteen months between 1962 and 1963.[3] He was also in groups that served as the backing band for [Vince Taylor](/source/Vince_Taylor), [Adam Faith](/source/Adam_Faith), [Tommy Steele](/source/Tommy_Steele) and [Marty Wilde](/source/Marty_Wilde), and also worked as a session player with numerous artists including rock stars [Gene Vincent](/source/Gene_Vincent), [Eddie Cochran](/source/Eddie_Cochran) and [Joe Brown](/source/Joe_Brown_(singer)), as well as [Conway Twitty](/source/Conway_Twitty) and [Brenda Lee](/source/Brenda_Lee).[4][5]

## Early life

Locking was born on 22 December 1938 in [Bedworth](/source/Bedworth), [Warwickshire](/source/Warwickshire), England. He was birthed at home at 29 Mount Drive, and was delivered by his Aunt.[6][7] His family moved to [Grantham](/source/Grantham), [Lincolnshire](/source/Lincolnshire) just over a year later.[6] After leaving school, he worked as a fireman for [British Rail](/source/British_Rail).[8]

## Career

### The Vagabonds

Locking was influenced to play the harmonica after seeing [Larry Adler](/source/Larry_Adler) on television. He taught himself how to play after borrowing his sisters plastic harmonica, and he soon formed a mouth organ duo with his friend Roy Clarke.[6] They became "The Harmonica Vagabonds" after a third friend, [Roy Taylor](/source/Vince_Eager) joined.[6] Locking revealed in 2019 that his first paid gig was at a village in the early 1950s, where he played "[Secret Love](/source/Secret_Love_(Doris_Day_song))" by [Doris Day](/source/Doris_Day), and afterwards was paid with "a packet of 20 cigarettes and two shillings and sixpence".[8]

The Vagabonds dropped the harmonica act after skiffle became popular.[6] Locking switched to a tea chest bass he made with Clark's mothers broom handle a bit of string from a post office,[9] and the group got a residency at [The 2i's Coffee Bar](/source/The_2i's_Coffee_Bar)[6] in Soho, London, where he was asked to tour with [Terry Dene](/source/Terry_Dene) and with Vagabond member Roy Taylor, who was now singing under the name [Vince Eager](/source/Vince_Eager). He was then a member of The Playboys with guitarist [Tony Sheridan](/source/Tony_Sheridan) and drummer [Brian Bennett](/source/Brian_Bennett), who backed [Vince Taylor](/source/Vince_Taylor).[6]

### The Wildcats

After The Playboys disbanded, Locking switched to electric bass guitar, and he and Bennett teamed up with guitarists [Big Jim Sullivan](/source/Big_Jim_Sullivan) and Tony Belcher and formed The Wildcats, who served as the backing band for [Marty Wilde](/source/Marty_Wilde).[6] While in the Wildcats, Locking received the nickname "Licorice" when he was seventeen after he played a toy clarinet (which was also known by the name "Licorice stick") on a tour bus in [Boston](/source/Boston%2C_Lincolnshire), [Lincolnshire](/source/Lincolnshire).[10] When Marty Wilde parted company from *The Wildcats*, they changed their name to "the [Krew Kats](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Krew_Kats&action=edit&redlink=1)" and [recorded](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) [instrumentals](/source/Instrumental) with modest success. Bennett then left to join the Shadows.

### The Shadows

In April 1962, whilst having just started performing with [Adam Faith](/source/Adam_Faith) and finished touring with [Tommy Steele](/source/Tommy_Steele),[6] at Bennett's suggestion, Locking was himself invited to join [The Shadows](/source/The_Shadows) to replace the departing bassist [Jet Harris](/source/Jet_Harris). Locking played on some of their best known tracks, including "[Dance On!](/source/Dance_On!)", "[Foot Tapper](/source/Foot_Tapper)" and "Atlantis". He also played the harmonica in live shows and on his signature album track, "Dakota". He appeared in the 1963 [Cliff Richard](/source/Cliff_Richard) film, *[Summer Holiday](/source/Summer_Holiday_(1963_film))*.

After being in the Shadows for only eighteen months, Locking left to pursue his activities with the [Jehovah's Witnesses](/source/Jehovah's_Witnesses).[6][9] He was replaced with [John Rostill](/source/John_Rostill). Locking briefly returned to The Shadows five years later to tour with the band in 1968 after Rostill fell ill.[10] In the 1990s, he appeared regularly as a guest at [Bruce Welch](/source/Bruce_Welch)'s Shadowmania fan events at Lakeside Country Club in [Surrey](/source/Surrey), and was also frequently invited to perform with various Shadows-style bands and was fundamental to honouring their legacy in such countries as [France](/source/France) and [Germany](/source/Germany).[10][1]

### Later career

He remained on the music scene at a more compatible pace and was invited to play double bass on [Donovan](/source/Donovan)'s first recording session.[6][9] Locking largely retired from music afterwards. In later life Locking was a regular guest playing at Shadows guitar clubs across the UK and abroad. In 1998, he performed at the [Pipeline Instrumental Convention](/source/Pipeline_Instrumental_Review) in London alongside other former members of The Shadows under the band name Local Heroes.[11] He reprised his role in the Wildcats at Marty Wilde's 50th Anniversary Concert, where he also appeared on stage with all the surviving Shadows members.

## Personal life and death

Locking moved to [Wales](/source/Wales) and worked in retail and as a window cleaner.[10] He sang in the local Denbigh and District Male Voice Choir.[12]

Brian Locking suffered from [Bell's palsy](/source/Bell's_palsy), and he was registered blind. He died in a hospice in North Wales on 8 October 2020 aged 81, after having been diagnosed with a tumour on the bladder.[1][2] In 2022, Locking's sister published a book about his experience in The Shadows.[13]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-news_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-news_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-news_1-2) Newton, Graham (8 October 2020). ["Grantham musician Brian 'Licorice' Locking who found fame with The Shadows has died"](https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/grantham-musician-brian-licorice-locking-who-found-fame-with-the-shadows-has-died-9125699/). *Grantham Journal*. Iliffe Media. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions"](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-courier-advertiser-perth-and-perthshire-edition/20201010/281715502082928). *www.pressreader.com*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Thompson, Richard (17 April 2014). ["Brian Locking Plays with the Denbigh Male Voice Choir | Denbigh Male Voice Choir %"](https://www.denbighchoir.com/brian-locking-plays-with-the-denbigh-male-voice-choir/). *www.denbighchoir.com/*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Eder, Bruce. ["The Shadows"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-shadows-p5399/biography). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved 15 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Locking, Brian – A Shadow was his former self"](https://www.granthammatters.co.uk/locking-brian-a-shadow-was-his-former-self/). *Grantham Matters*. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:1_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:1_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-:1_6-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-:1_6-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-:1_6-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-:1_6-10) godivarocks. ["Brian 'Liquorice' Locking – The Coventry Music Museum"](https://www.covmm.co.uk/2020/07/07/brian-liquorice-locking/). Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Music Matters – 'Sad farewell to legendary Shadows' basist Brian 'Licquorice' Locking'"](https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/music-matters-sad-farewell-to-legendary-shadows-basist-brian-licquorice-locking/). *Coventry Observer*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_8-1) Rock, Vintage (27 September 2022). ["Soundtrack Of My Life – Brian "Licorice" Locking"](https://www.vintagerockmag.com/2022/09/brian-locking/). *Vintage Rock*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_9-2) Coxon, Adam. ["Brian Locking - Interview"](https://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=26425). *www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:4_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:4_10-3) ["Obituary: Brian Locking, bass guitarist with the Shadows for 18 eventful months in the 1960s"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/18840546.obituary-brian-locking-bass-guitarist-shadows-18-eventful-months-1960s/). *The Herald*. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Taylor, Alan; Burke, Dave, eds. (1998). "Pipeline Convention 1998". *[Pipeline Instrumental Review](/source/Pipeline_Instrumental_Review)* (40): 21–29. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1470-8353](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1470-8353).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Thompson, Richard (9 October 2020). ["Brian Locking Remembered - Denbigh Male Voice Choir"](https://www.denbighchoir.com/brian-locking-remembered/). *www.denbighchoir.com/*. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Sister publishes book of musician's life"](https://www.lincsonline.co.uk/grantham/news/sister-publishes-book-of-musicians-life-9238038/). *LincsOnline*. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2025.

## External links

- [Brian Locking](https://www.discogs.com/artist/Brian+Locking) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Vince Taylor And His Playboys](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1125815-Vince-Taylor-And-His-Playboys) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Janice Peters and The Playboys](https://www.discogs.com/artist/6295436-Janice-Peters-and-The-Playboys) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Brian Locking](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1621368-The-Krew-Kats+The+Krew+Kats) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Portraits of Brian Locking](https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp166196) at the [National Portrait Gallery, London](/source/National_Portrait_Gallery%2C_London)

v t e The Shadows Hank Marvin Bruce Welch Brian Bennett Ian Samwell Mark Griffiths Jet Harris Tony Meehan Brian 'Licorice' Locking Warren Bennett John Rostill John Farrar Alan Tarney Alan Hawkshaw Studio albums The Shadows Out of the Shadows Dance with The Shadows The Sound of The Shadows Shadow Music Jigsaw From Hank, Bruce, Brian and John Shades of Rock Rockin' with Curly Leads Specs Appeal Tasty String of Hits Change of Address Hits Right Up Your Street Life in the Jungle XXV Guardian Angel Moonlight Shadows Simply Shadows Steppin' to the Shadows At Their Very Best Reflection Singles "Apache" "Man of Mystery" "F.B.I." "The Frightened City" "Kon-Tiki" "The Savage" "Wonderful Land" "Guitar Tango" "Dance On!" "Foot Tapper" "Atlantis" "Shindig" "Geronimo" "Theme for Young Lovers" "The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt" "Don't Make My Baby Blue" "The War Lord" "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" "Let Me Be the One" "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" "Theme from the Deer Hunter (Cavatina)" "Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto" "Riders in the Sky" "Heart of Glass" "Equinoxe (Part V)" "The Third Man" "Telstar" "Imagine"/Woman" "Treat Me Nice" Compilations Greatest Hits 20 Golden Greats Extended plays The Shadows The Shadows to the Fore The Shadows No. 2 The Shadows No. 3 Spotlight on The Shadows The Boys Hits from the Young Ones Los Shadows Rhythm & Greens Related articles Discography Discography with Cliff Richard Cliff Richard Thank You Very Much (1979, live album) The Final Reunion (2009 DVD)

Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Brian Locking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Locking) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Locking?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.