Jet Harris of The Shadows dies at 71

SHADOWS bass guitarist Jet Harris has died aged 71 after a two-year battle with cancer.

The musician, who received an MBE in 2009, died at the home ofhis partner Janet Hemingway in Winchester yesterday.

A family friend speaking on her behalf said: "Jet was a one-off.He had a wonderful sense of humour and was incredibly courageous andincredibly loyal to his friends and family.

"There are three Shadows forums on the internet and the fans arejust pouring out their grief and their love for him.

"He was unusually well-loved by the fans. He always had time forthem and he would never let a fan go without speaking to them orsigning whatever they wanted him to sign."

The star, who was born Terence Harris in London, found fame forhis string of chart hits with the Shadows and as a solo star in theearly 1960s.

He played on tracks including Apache, and, during their days asCliff Richard's backing band, performed on chart-topper Living Doll.

In 1962 he left the band and had solo hits with Besame Mucho andThe Man With The Golden Arm.

He later worked as a photographer although he released a newalbum, The Journey, in 2007.