Who Played Lead 12-string Guitar on Jackie De Shannon's When You Walk In The Room?

In this stirring song from Jackie De Shannon, released towards the end of 1963, there is a majestic 12 string electric guitar figure which helps define the song:



A simple question. Who played it? As far as I know, this is the first use of electric 12 string in a pop-rock setting, the folk rock sound that became a mid-60's staple. We all know the Beatles songs that used a similar sound (e.g. Ticket To Ride), the great Byrds hits that did, the Searchers' version, etc., but all this came after De Shannon's groundbreaking recording.

Based on what I've been able to find online, it seems Glen Campbell played it. Certainly it would have been a session musician, part of the band her label hired to help record the song.

Does anyone know?

 

According to this very forum, Jackie wrote the riff and Glen Campbell played it.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...he-room-q-for-ron-furmanek.32072/#post-585262

 

Great! Thanks for this. I must say the riff doesn't sound funky to me, but I guess it is all relative. Maybe she meant the "rocking" quality that later became characteristic of folk rock.

 

I didn't know that either! Many thanks Sir, and for the chance to participate here.

 

What a great song, too. I still can't believe no one ever had a really big hit with it. (Yes, I know the Searchers' version made the top 40 - but not by much if I recall correctly.)

 

Yeah a great song!

 

Looks like at :07 she starts to lipsync a little early!!!

 

What a great song and Jackie was so cute. I think when she says "funky" she really means a little raw and gritty. Glen could have played it cleanly with impeccable technique. Instead it sounds a little forced or sloppy and that twangy sound adds to the flavor that makes it a catchy hook.

 

I've watched that clip many times and I'm pretty sure she does.

 

Cool to hear the original, but to me The Searchers version is still the keeper.

 

A bit off topic but I've been wanting to get into Jackie DeShannon for quite some time. What is a good sounding comp (I like mono) or good album to start with?

 

Can't answer that myself since I only discovered Jackie De Shannon from youtube clips some years ago so recommendations would interest me too.

Steve mentioned 12 string playing on her Needles and Pins, which came out before When You Walk In The Room in 1963. I listened again and I have to agree, the Searchers version seems pallid by comparison. I can see how the Searchers helped spread the word about rock and folk rock but the originals are unbeatable IMO. It's interesting to listen to the guitar on her Needles and Pins. It is buried more in the mix and also some of what superficially sound like lead lines are played on piano I think. Probably Glen Campbell, with De Shannon (born Sharon Lee Myers), were still working out the sound that became fully realized in the second song. Campbell was a superb player of course and had great success in his own career but right here with De Shannon created a signature sound, that big chiming stately sound that the Byrds and numerous Beatles songs used to such good effect (but also with good rhythmic propulsion in parts).

It's a sound that Tom Petty and others, like REM, picked up on years later. Looks like it came from the hands of a superstar who at the time was an unsung session player working with De Shannon.

 

What the World Needs Now is Jackie DeShannon. It's the compilation all other aspire to.

 

You should get in to Jackie DeShannon ASAP!!!! Your life will be better for it.

There are a lot of comps, but they all pale in comparison to this pair. All the original mono 45 mixes. On Jackie's insistence. Gorgeous analog-sounding mastering. Accept no substitutes.

 

ordered! thanks!

 

Consider yourself a lucky man - it was a long and excruciating wait for Vol 2 to come out! (We all know how many promised second volumes never happen but good ole Ace finally came through.)

This pair is a real goldmine. They don't sound like a hits or "best of..." comp at all: it's quite an experience to hear so many unbelievably well-made records one after the other. Much much better than the limp stereo versions.

Enjoy!

 

How'd you know my nickname?

No, I know what you mean, but for some reason The Searchers version always resonated more with me (maybe the sound of the Burns Double Six), but then again to each his own, as that what makes the world go 'round.

P.S. I actually spell it "Silly Willy", thank you very much.

 

Thanks for posting the video. Great song. Steve Forbert did a nice version of it in the mid 80's too.

 

I was catching up on old unread Wall Street Journals recently - yeah I'm a luddite and still get the printed copy - and found this article on Jackie de Shannon from 12/2013
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303560204579248523409521390

Not only does the lady still radiate the blonde perfection that seemed to so perfectly compliment those great songs, but she comes across in this article as well as a very genuinely nice person.

Me and my musical mates have been hacking around with 'When You Walk In The Room' recently. I think that is her top draw classic.

Ron F - he of this parish - did a compilation 20 years ago, which ain't a bad place to start if you are new to this lady. Playing it now, sounds quite OK indeed

 

Completely understood.
It's probably on youtube somewhere, but I have a Hullabaloo DVD at home, and she's on one of the few color episodes. Unfortunately, she's not doing any of her own material, but it's impossible to see her truncated version of "You Got Your Troubles" and NOT fall for her. Incredible combination of talent, beauty and class.