The Shadows are a British
instrumental rock group, and
Cliff Richard's
backing band, with 69 UK chart singles from the 1950s to the 2000s, 35 credited to the Shadows and 34 to
Cliff Richard and the Shadows. The group, who were in the forefront of the UK
beat-group boom, were the first backing band to emerge as stars. As pioneers of the four-member instrumental format, the band consisted of lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums. Their range covers
pop,
rock,
surf rock and
ballads with a
jazz influence.