Apache (instrumental) explained

Apache
Type:single
Artist:Bert Weedon
B-Side:Lonely Guitar
Recorded:Early 1960
Genre:Instrumental rock
Label:Top Rank JAR-415
Composer:Jerry Lordan
Prev Title:Twelfth Street Rag
Prev Year:1960
Next Title:Sorry Robbie
Next Year:1960

"Apache" is a song written by Jerry Lordan and first recorded by Bert Weedon. Lordan played the song on ukulele to the Shadows while on tour and, liking the song, the group released their own version which topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks in mid-1960. The Shadows' guitarist Hank Marvin developed the song's distinctive echo and vibrato sound. After hearing the Shadows' version, Danish guitarist Jørgen Ingmann released a cover of the song in November 1960 which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

A 1973 version by the Incredible Bongo Band has been called "hip-hop's national anthem".[1] Although this version was not a hit on release, its long percussion break has been sampled countless times on hip hop and dance tracks since the 1980s. In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Apache" by the Shadows at number 96 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

Composition and original recording

English songwriter and composer Jerry Lordan came up with the tune in the late 1950s. Lordan was inspired to write the song after watching the 1954 American western film Apache, saying that he "wanted something noble and dramatic, reflecting the courage and savagery of the Indian Apache warrior Massai, played by Burt Lancaster.[2]

It was originally recorded by British guitarist Bert Weedon in early 1960, but remained unreleased for several months due to promotion and release problems.[3] However, Lordan did not like Weedon's version of the song, as he thought it was too jaunty.[4] For this reason, whilst on tour with Cliff Richard and the Shadows, Lordan played the song on his ukulele to the Shadows, who liked the song and recorded it in June, quickly releasing it in July 1960.

Around the same time as the Shadows' release of "Apache", Weedon's record label Top Rank finally released his version. Reviewing for Disc, Don Nicholl wrote that Weedon "gets the right mood and atmosphere as he works with drums on this Indian item. There's a flute in the background, too – to give the idea for the raiding party's whoops maybe. A dark noise".[5] The single peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. After the success of the Shadows' version, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch wrote "Mr. Guitar" for Weedon as a recompense for overshadowing his version of the song.

Track listing

7": Top Rank / JAR-415

  1. "Apache" – 2:37
  2. "Lonely Guitar" – 2:10

Charts

The Shadows version

Apache
Cover:Apache by The Shadows.jpg
Caption:Cover of the single released in Germany
Type:single
Artist:The Shadows
B-Side:"Quatermasster's Stores"
Studio:EMI Studios, London
Genre:Instrumental rock
Length:2:56
Label:Columbia DB 4484[6]
Composer:Jerry Lordan
Producer:Norrie Paramor
Prev Title:Saturday Dance
Prev Year:1959
Next Title:Man of Mystery
Next Year:1960

Recording

The recording was done at the EMI Abbey Road Studios in London. Singer-guitarist Joe Brown had bought an Italian-built tape echo unit that he did not like and gave it to The Shadows' guitarist Hank Marvin, who developed a distinctive sound using it and the whammy bar of his Fender Stratocaster. Bruce Welch borrowed an acoustic Gibson J-200 guitar from Cliff Richard, the heavy melodic bass was performed by Jet Harris, and drums by Tony Meehan. Richard himself played a Chinese drum at the beginning and end to provide an atmosphere of stereotypically Native American music.

Release and reception

"Apache" was released with the B-side being an instrumental version of the traditional army song "The Quartermaster's Store". The band humorously renamed the song "Quatermasster’s Stores" in reference to the television serial Quatermass and it was arranged by Bill Shepherd.

Record producer and A&R man Norrie Paramor preferred "Quatermasster’s Stores" over "Apache" and wanted it to be released as the A-side. However, he changed his mind after his daughter preferred "Apache".

By 1963 Apache had sold over a million copies in the UK. [7]

It has been cited by a generation of guitarists as inspirational and is considered one of the most influential British rock 45s of the pre-Beatles era. In a 1963 NME article, The Shadows said, "What's the most distinctive sound of our group? We often wondered what it is ourselves. Really, it is the sound we had when we recorded 'Apache' – that kind of Hawaiian sounding lead guitar ... plus the beat".[8]

In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Apache" by the Shadows at number 96 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.[9]

UK chart history

The Shadows' "Apache" entered the UK top 40 on 21 July 1960 at number 35,[10] climbing into the top 20 the following week. A fortnight later, the song rose twelve places to number 3 and, on 25 August, deposed "Please Don't Tease" – on which The Shadows backed Cliff Richard – to begin a five-week run at number 1.

On 29 September, "Apache" dropped to number 2, replaced by "Tell Laura I Love Her" by Ricky Valance. The Shadows version proved to be an enduring hit, enjoying a 19-week run in the top 40 which concluded on 24 November, reappearing for one more week on 8 December. During this run, the group's follow-up single "Man of Mystery"/"The Stranger" peaked at number 5, alongside the number 3 success of "Nine Times Out of Ten" (backing Cliff Richard).

According to the UK Official Charts Company, "Apache" was the 28th best-selling single of the 1960s.[11]

Track listing

7": Columbia / DB 4484

  1. "Apache" – 2:56
  2. "Quatermasster's Stores" – 2:20

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1960)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] 4
Austria[13] 22
France (SNEP)[14] 2
Ireland (Evening Herald)[15] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[16] 14
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[17] 1
Spain (Promusicae)[18] 8

Jørgen Ingmann version

Apache
Cover:Jorgen Ingmann Apache.jpg
Caption:Cover of the single released in Denmark
Type:single
Artist:Jørgen Ingmann
Album:Apache
B-Side:Echo Boogie
Recorded:October 1960
Studio:Metronome Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre:
Length:3:00
Label:
Composer:Jerry Lordan
Producer:Jørgen Ingmann
Prev Title:Gingando
Prev Year:1960
Next Title:Pepe
Next Year:1961

Danish guitarist Jørgen Ingmann recorded a cover of "Apache" in October 1960 after hearing the Shadows' version, which had recently been released in Denmark. Ingmann had been looking for a B-side to his self-penned song "Echo Boogie" and decided that "Apache" would work.[19] He played all instruments on both tracks, as well as mixing and producing them.[20]

Release and reception

Released in Denmark at the beginning of November by Metronome Records, it was quickly released in the US by ATCO along with a big advertising campaign, where the single was credited as 'Jorgen Ingmann and His Guitar'.[21]

The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the final week of January 1961 and peaked at number 2 ten weeks later at the beginning of April for two weeks behind "Blue Moon" by the Marcels. In Canada, "Apache" topped the CHUM Chart for two weeks in March 1961. Ingmann would go on to have a smaller hit in North America with "Anna", which peaked at number 54 in the US and number 34 in Canada June 1961.[22] [23]

Cliff Richard has said that "Ingmann put in a few tricky bits, but essentially it was a cover job. If the Shads had made the charts there [in the US] with 'Apache', things might have been very different for us".[24]

Track listing

7": ATCO / 6184 (US and Canada)

  1. "Apache" – 3:00
  2. "Echo Boogie" – 3:13

Charts

Chart (1961)Peak
position
Canada (CHUM)[25] 1
Chile[26] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[27] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 2
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[29] 9
US Cash Box Top 100[30] 4
US Cash Box R&B Top 50[31] 9

Incredible Bongo Band version

Apache
Type:song
Artist:Incredible Bongo Band
Album:Bongo Rock
Recorded:1973
Studio:Can-Base Studios, Vancouver, Canada
Genre:Funk
Length:4:54
Label:Pride (MGM)
Composer:Jerry Lordan
Producer:

A 1973 version by Michael Viner and a funk group called the Incredible Bongo Band added a bongo drum introduction and included more percussion. The drum break was played by Jim Gordon. Although this version was not a hit on its initial release, it became heavily sampled in early hip hop music, including by Afrika Bambaataa, who cited its influence. It has been sampled by hip hop performers such as The Sugarhill Gang, L.L. Cool J, The Roots and Nas, techno performers The Future Sound of London and Moby, and drum and bass acts J Majik and Goldie.

The 2013 documentary Sample This, directed by Dan Forrer and narrated by Gene Simmons, recounts the story of The Incredible Bongo Band and its recording of "Apache".[32] [33]

The Sugarhill Gang version

Apache
Cover:Sugarhill Gang - Apache.jpg
Caption:German 12" single
Type:single
Artist:The Sugarhill Gang
Album:8th Wonder
B-Side:Rapper's Delight
Studio:Sweet Mountain Studios, Englewood, New Jersey
Genre:
Length:
  • 3:57 (single)
  • 6:09 (album)
Label:Sugar Hill
Producer:Sylvia Robinson
Prev Title:Showdown
Prev Year:1981
Next Title:The Lover in You
Next Year:1982

In 1981, the rap group known as the Sugarhill Gang covered the Incredible Bongo Band's version of the song on its second album, 8th Wonder. In 1982, this version peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 51 on the US Dance chart, and No. 13 on the US R&B chart.[34] In 1995, this version was featured in "Viva Lost Wages", a sixth-season episode of an American sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,[35] and then in "Whoops, There It Is", a subsequent clip show from the series.[36] Using the distinctive beat and bongo drums as well as Native American war cries, the Sugarhill Gang added rap lyrics with references including the following:[37]

A reworked version of this song for children titled simply "Jump on It!" is featured as the title track on the Sugarhill Gang's album Jump On It!. This song differs from the original version with the signature "Jump on it" line being replaced by "Jump up", lyrics encouraging children to learn science, mathematics, and English, and a stronger funk influence.

Other songs sampling the Incredible Bongo Band version

Other cover versions

Charting versions

Other versions

Notable live covers

Interpolations

Soundtrack appearances

Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA adopted "Apache" as the unofficial team anthem in 2007. Following victories, the team would dance to the song at center court.[51] For the first home game of the team's first WNBA Finals appearance, the team brought in the Sugarhill Gang to perform the song at halftime.[52]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Michaelangelo Matos, Abstract: All Roads Lead to ‘Apache’", Pop Conference, Experience Music Project 2005. Accessed online 7 July 2011
  2. Web site: Apache by The Shadows - Songfacts. live. 2021-08-29. www.songfacts.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210124054401/https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-shadows/apache . 2021-01-24 .
  3. Web site: The Official Bert Weedon Website - Interview . Bertweedon.com . 2014-04-04.
  4. Web site: Surfing the First Wave of Hip-Hop: The 'Apache' Story. 2021-08-29. www.fender.com. en-US.
  5. 16 July 1960. Disc, 16 July 1960. Disc. 11. 29 August 2021.
  6. Book: Rice, Jo . 1982 . The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits . 1st . Guinness Superlatives Ltd. . Enfield, Middlesex . 53 . 0-85112-250-7.
  7. Book: Murrells, Joseph. Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. 1985. Arco Pub.. 0668064595. This disc was a chart topping disc for six weeks and a million seller by 1963 in Britain. 146.
  8. Book: Tobler , John . 1992. NME Rock 'N' Roll Years. 1st. Reed International Books Ltd. London. 124. CN 5585.
  9. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage3.htm "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever"
  10. Book: McAleer, David. The Virgin Book of Top 40 Charts. Virgin Books. 2009. 978-0-7535-2200-4. UK. 24–31.
  11. The Top 60 Best Selling Records of the 60s. 16 July 2011. Presenter: Tony Blackburn. BBC. BBC Radio 2. London. 31 May 2010.
  12. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. . 2005. 0-646-44439-5. Kent Music Report.
  13. Book: Whitmann, Wolfgang. Österreichisches Hitlexikon. 1956-1983/84. DBV Verlag, Graz. 1984. 144800830.
  14. Select The SHADOWS from the drop-down selection box and click OK: Web site: French Singles - Artists S. infodisc.fr.
  15. News: 1 September 1960. Irish Top Ten. Evening Herald.
  16. Spinetoli, John Joseph. Artisti In Classifica: I Singoli: 1960-1999. Milano: Musica e dischi, 2000
  17. Web site: Lever Hit Parade. flavourofnz.co.nz. 2021-08-30. 2021-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126172105/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20lever&qartistid=12#n_view_location. dead.
  18. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: Año a año, 1959–2002. September 1979. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 978-84-8048-639-2.
  19. Book: Jancik, Wayne. The Billboard book of one-hit wonders. Billboard Books. 1990. 9780823075300. New York. 97.
  20. Web site: Jorgen Ingmann Way Back Attack. 2021-08-30. www.waybackattack.com.
  21. Web site: Jorgen Ingmann And His Guitar - Apache. 45cat. 2021-08-30.
  22. The Hot 100 Chart. 2021-08-30. Billboard.
  23. Web site: 19 June 1961. CHUM Hit Parade, week of June 19, 1961. live. 30 August 2021. chumtribute.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20191217051331/http://chumtribute.com/61-06-19-chart.jpg . 2019-12-17 .
  24. Book: Kutner. Jon. 1000 UK Number One Hits. Leigh. Spencer. Omnibus Press. 2005. 978-0-85712-360-2. 179. en.
  25. Web site: 13 March 1961. CHUM Hit Parade, week of March 13, 1961. live. 30 August 2021. chumtribute.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20191217051346/http://chumtribute.com/61-03-13-chart.jpg . 2019-12-17 .
  26. Hits of the World. Billboard. 21. 25 September 1961. 30 August 2021.
  27. Web site: Timo. 13 August 2015. Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit ING - IYA. 2021-08-30. Sisältää hitin.
  28. The Hot 100 Chart. 2021-08-30. Billboard.
  29. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Joel Whitburn's Top R&B Singles 1942–1995. Record Research. 1996. 0898201152. 208.
  30. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending April 8, 1961. 30 August 2021. Cash Box magazine.
  31. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending April 1, 1961. 30 August 2021. Cash Box magazine.
  32. Odie Henderson, Review of Sample This, RogerEbert.com, September 13, 2013.
  33. Francois Marchand, "Breaking down Apache (with video): New film Sample This examines 'national anthem of hip-hop' recorded in Vancouver", Vancouver Sun, November 15, 2013.
  34. Web site: Apache (song by The Sugarhill Gang) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts . Musicvf.com . 1982-02-13 . 2014-04-04.
  35. Viva Lost Wages. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Robert Bruce (writer); Shelley Jensen (director). NBC. November 13, 1995. 6. 8.
  36. I, Whoops, There It Is. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Mary Beth Pemberton and Tanya Ward (writers); Shelley Jensen (director). NBC. April 15, 1996. 6. 19.
  37. Web site: Apache by Sugarhill Gang on WhoSampled . 2022-06-29 . WhoSampled . en.
  38. News: Spata. Christopher. Songwriters have long been in tune with Tampa. 11 August 2016. 22 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819040754/http://www.tbo.com/arts_music/songwriters-have-long-been-in-tune-with-tampa-20140822/. August 19, 2016. dead.
  39. [Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Music Week]
  40. Sonny James. 2021-08-30. Billboard.
  41. Web site: Apache ' 65 (song by Davie Allan & the Arrows) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts. 2021-08-30. www.musicvf.com.
  42. Book: Betts, Graham. Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004. Collins. 2004. 0-00-717931-6. 1st. London. 110.
  43. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts. 2021-08-30. www.offiziellecharts.de.
  44. Web site: 1970 to 1975 BMRB chart 'Bubblers'. 2021-08-30. UKMIX Forums. 29 April 2010 . en.
  45. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts. 2021-08-30. www.offiziellecharts.de.
  46. Web site: Janse Bagge Bend - Awpatsje (Apache). live. 2021-08-30. dutchcharts.nl. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107143600/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Janse+Bagge+Bend&titel=Awpatsje+%28Apache%29&cat=s . 2016-11-07 .
  47. Web site: swedishcharts.com - Scooter - Apache Rocks The Bottom!. 2021-08-30. swedishcharts.com.
  48. Web site: David Bowie, The Next Day, album review . McCormick . Neil . 25 February 2013 . . 20 November 2014.
  49. Web site: Scandal (Music From The Motion Picture) (1989, gatefold, Vinyl) . Discogs. 25 February 2024.
  50. Web site: The Only Prescription... is Music in Pharmaceutical Commercials . colemaninsights.com . 2019-10-29 .
  51. Web site: muneraven: Why I love the Minnesota Lynx . Muneraven.livejournal.com . 2007-06-19 . 2014-04-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425021348/http://muneraven.livejournal.com/73043.html . 2012-04-25 .
  52. Web site: Lynx: Sugar Hill Gang to Perform at Game 1 . Wnba.com . 2014-04-04.