Brian Locking

Brian "Licorice" Locking (22 December 1938 – 8 October 2020) was an English musician and songwriter. He is best known for being the bass player for The Shadows for sixteen months between 1962 and 1963. He was also in groups that served as the backing band for Vince Taylor, Adam Faith, Tommy Steele and Marty Wilde, and also worked as a session player with numerous artists including rock stars Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Joe Brown, as well as Conway Twitty and Brenda Lee.

Early life Locking was born on 22 December 1938 in Bedworth, Warwickshire, England. He was birthed at home at 29 Mount Drive, and was delivered by his Aunt. His family moved to Grantham, Lincolnshire just over a year later.

Career

The Vagabonds Locking was influenced to play the harmonica after seeing Larry Adler on television. He taught himself how to play after borrowing his sisters plastic harmonica, and he soon formed a mouth organ duo with his friend Roy Clarke. and the group got a residency at The 2i's Coffee Bar When Marty Wilde parted company from The Wildcats, they changed their name to "the Krew Kats" and recorded instrumentals with modest success. Bennett then left to join the Shadows.

The Shadows In April 1962, whilst having just started performing with Adam Faith and finished touring with Tommy Steele, He reprised his role in the Wildcats at Marty Wilde's 50th Anniversary Concert, where he also appeared on stage with all the surviving Shadows members.

Personal life and death Locking moved to Wales and worked in retail and as a window cleaner.

Brian Locking suffered from Bell's palsy, and he was registered blind. He died in a hospice in North Wales on 8 October 2020 aged 81, after having been diagnosed with a tumour on the bladder.