Diamonds (instrumental)

"Diamonds" is an instrumental composed by Jerry Lordan and first released as a single by Jet Harris and Tony Meehan in January 1963. It became a number-one hit on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at the top of the chart.^[3]

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Background and release

In 1962, guitarist Jet Harris left the Shadows and was signed to Decca Records as a solo artist, releasing his debut hit single "Besame Mucho" in May 1962. Former Shadows' drummer Tony Meehan was working at Decca as a producer and suggested to Harris that they team up. He asked Jerry Lordan, writer of several hits for the Shadows ("Apache", "Wonderful Land" and "Atlantis"), for an instrumental with bass guitar and a drum solo, and he gave them "Diamonds".^[4]

"Diamonds" was recorded on 23 November 1962 at Decca Studios. Harris detuned a Fender Jaguar electric guitar in order to hit much lower notes than an ordinary guitar.^[1]^[5] The recording session was the first to feature Jimmy Page, who played rhythm on an acoustic guitar.^[6] It also features bass guitar by John Paul Jones, who along with Page would go onto form Led Zeppelin.^[1]

It was released at the beginning of January 1963 with the B-side "Footstomp", written by Meehan.^[7] "Footstomp" features lead vocals by Harris and harmony vocals by Meehan. It also features Joe Moretti on acoustic rhythm guitar, who would also play lead guitar on "Scarlett O'Hara" and "Applejack".^[1]

Track listing

7": Decca / F 11563

"Diamonds" – 2:25
"Footstomp" – 2:49

Personnel

Jet Harris – electric lead guitar
Tony Meehan – drums
Jimmy Page – acoustic rhythm guitar
John Paul Jones – electric bass guitar
Glenn and Chris Hughes – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, piano

Charts

Chart (1963)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[8]	14
Canada (CHUM)^[9]	22
Denmark (Danmarks Radio)^[10]	18
Ireland (IRMA)^[11]	1
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)^[12]	2
Norway (VG-lista)^[13]	3
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)^[14]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[3]	1

Other versions

In May 1963, the Ventures recorded it for their Surfin' album.^[15]
The Shadows, without their former members Harris and Meehan, recorded "Diamonds" in 1983.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Koers, Ivo. "Instrumentation On Jet Harris & Tony Meehan Recordings II: The Primary Singles" (PDF). malcolmcampbell.me.uk. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives. p. 6. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
^ ^a ^b "Jet Harris & Tony Meehan: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
^ Kutner, Jon; Leigh, Spencer (26 May 2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-85712-360-2.
^ "Jet's Gear". Jetharris.biz. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
^ Reiff, Corbin (16 November 2019). "Jimmy Page Before Led Zeppelin: 20 Great Session Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ Jet Harris And Tony Meehan - Diamonds, retrieved 28 November 2021
^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
^ "CHUM Hit Parade Week of April 1, 1963". 1 April 1963. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ "danskehitlister.dk". 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Diamonds". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Lever Hit Parade". flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ "Jet Harris & Tony Meehan – Diamonds". VG-lista.
^ "Jet Harris and Tony Meehan". NostalgiListan (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ "Lulu". Sandcastlevi.com. Retrieved 13 November 2021.

This page was last edited on 4 June 2023, at 17:17

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