Ken Underwood at Forum
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Ken Underwood at Forum
Hey guys,
I was at Vintage Amps forum today and noticed a new thread there under the Marshall tag.
Ken Underwood who was one of the founding members of the Marshall company has joined and is offering answers to questions from members about the early beginnings of Marshall.
Pretty interesting and it's hard for him to hide his opinion about Jim Marshall.
Anyway, a great read if you are interested in all things Marshall.
One of the things he mentioned was the first song played on the early Marshall amp was "Zipperdy Do Dar", never heard of it but the second song was "I Saw Her Standing There" written by the Fab Four. (Not played by them of course)
He remembers it because it was in 1963 at a little night club in London.
He said JM always says it all started in 62 but is wrong because that song didn't come out till late 63.
http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewt ... =1&t=86352
I was at Vintage Amps forum today and noticed a new thread there under the Marshall tag.
Ken Underwood who was one of the founding members of the Marshall company has joined and is offering answers to questions from members about the early beginnings of Marshall.
Pretty interesting and it's hard for him to hide his opinion about Jim Marshall.
Anyway, a great read if you are interested in all things Marshall.
One of the things he mentioned was the first song played on the early Marshall amp was "Zipperdy Do Dar", never heard of it but the second song was "I Saw Her Standing There" written by the Fab Four. (Not played by them of course)
He remembers it because it was in 1963 at a little night club in London.
He said JM always says it all started in 62 but is wrong because that song didn't come out till late 63.
http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewt ... =1&t=86352
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
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Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
Verrry interestink.... as they used to say on TV! Just looking at pics of the old amps I had thought it was not exactly a real business in the very early days, nothing wrong with that and no pejorative implied.
His ID on the RS transformers was new to me.
His ID on the RS transformers was new to me.
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
For someone who lives in London and reasonably close to the London branch of a Leeds-based music store of dubious repute, it's worrying to learn just how few early amps there were and how none of them were produced until late 1963 despite Jim's protestations to the contrary.
I think said music shop on their own have probably sold more 62s and 63s than were ever produced!
I think said music shop on their own have probably sold more 62s and 63s than were ever produced!
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
Yes that was what I also found interesting that JM would state that he was selling amps in 62.
But of course we are taking a contrary opinion at face value.
Also of interest was that JM never endorsed any early artists with free gear.
If they wanted it they had to pay for it. No Freebies!
VOX was throwing amps at the Beatles and the Who was wrecking more gear at each show costing them more than they made per gig.
George Harrison is known for liking the Fender amps and is what he preferred in the studios after they had success.
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
I don't think Ken's insights are being taken at face value, necessarily.
There have been plenty of suggestions before that Marshall can't have started producing amps until 63, which is why the question was put to him, and the '62' amps all seem to have been of rather dubious origins.
His recollection about the specific timeframe, the venues and even the songs out all seems to corroborate the story nicely.
There have been plenty of suggestions before that Marshall can't have started producing amps until 63, which is why the question was put to him, and the '62' amps all seem to have been of rather dubious origins.
His recollection about the specific timeframe, the venues and even the songs out all seems to corroborate the story nicely.
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Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
Structo wrote:
One of the things he mentioned was the first song played on the early Marshall amp was "Zipperdy Do Dar", never heard of it
Zip a dee doo dah is from Jungle Book.
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
I think it's from something called, "Song Of The South" which may not be politically acceptable these days.Tubetastic wrote:Zip a dee doo dah is from Jungle Book.
Jim Marshall -- how many have met him? I met him at Namm, and stood and watched for a while. He has a clear and consistent answer for every single question. He may be completely wrong, but his delivery is sure and people seem to accept what he says. Since he still likes to be involved, you can see why he does this.
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
I've met him at quite a few things here in the UK. He does have stock answers for things but then he's a businessman, much like Leo Fender was, and I'd imagine gets asked the same questions all the time.
I'm sure he got the date confused in the mists of time and once it got set in stone found it easier just to run with it.
I'm sure he got the date confused in the mists of time and once it got set in stone found it easier just to run with it.
Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
Jaysg is right: Song of the SouthTubetastic wrote: ... Zip a dee doo dah is from Jungle Book...
Tim
In case the NSA is listening, KMA!
In case the NSA is listening, KMA!
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Re: Ken Underwood at Forum
You're correct. I knew it was a Walt Disney song. I just had this image of the Big Bear from Jungle Book, singing it. loldrhulsey wrote:Jaysg is right: Song of the SouthTubetastic wrote: ... Zip a dee doo dah is from Jungle Book...