John Henry Rostill was an English musician, bassist and composer, recruited by the Shadows to replace Brian Locking in autumn 1963.
11 Facts About John Rostill
1.
2.
John Rostill wrote many of the tunes by the Shadows including "The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt" in 1964.
3.
John Rostill worked with several artists before joining the Shadows, including Bournemouth band The Interns, the Flintstones and a stint as part of Zoot Money's early backing band.
4.
John Rostill played in the bands recruited to back such visiting artists as the Everly Brothers and Tommy Roe.
5.
Stylistically, John Rostill combined the solidity of Brian Locking and the adventurousness of Jet Harris.
6.
John Rostill was a prolific songwriter, contributing to the Shadows' output from the start.
7.
John Rostill's personal favourite instrument was a Fender Jazz bass, which he played in both the Terry Young Band and in Bournemouth band, the Interns.
8.
John Rostill used it with the Shadows towards the end when the Burns instrument began to wear out.
9.
John Rostill died in Radlett, Hertfordshire, England, on 26 November 1973 aged 31.
10.
John Rostill was found dead from barbiturate poisoning in his recording studio by his wife and Bruce Welch.
11.
John Rostill left behind his wife Margaret and his son Paul, who was a year old when his father died.