Gilbert Webster
Photo: Photo courtesy of Miyo Underwood, great-great-niece of Gilbert Webster
Last updated on February 22, 2025
Photo: Photo courtesy of Miyo Underwood, great-great-niece of Gilbert Webster
Last updated on February 22, 2025
Gilbert Webster was a versatile musician, known as a jazz drummer as well as a classical percussionist and cimbalom player.
In July 1968, while producing “Those Were The Days” for Mary Hopkin, Paul McCartney requested orchestra arranger Richard Hewson to incorporate a cimbalom into the arrangement. Gilbert Webster performed on the instrument, lending the recording a distinctive Eastern European character.
It’s a Hungarian instrument that is like a piano without the lid on, hit with hammers. That’s the ding, ding, ding sound you hear on the song. He said that’s all he had in mind, and, ‘After that, do what you like.’ So I wrote the arrangement, and not knowing pop music, that’s why it doesn’t sound like the pop music of the time.
Richard Hewson – From Classic Track: “Those Were the Days,” Mary Hopkin (mixonline.com)
It was an unusual instrument played with hammers, like a dulcimer. There was only one guy in England who could play one – one of my professors, Gilbert Webster. That’s who’s on that recording.
Richard Hewson – From mcbeatle.de
Recording "Those Were the Days"
Late July 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Those Were The Days / Turn! Turn! Turn!
Those Were The Days / Turn! Turn! Turn!
By Mary Hopkin • 7" Single
By Mary Hopkin • Official album
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Miyo Underwood • Feb 16, 2025 • 3 months ago
Hi, I'm a 13 year old city kid named Miyo Underwood who, through a car ride with my father and grandmother, found out that my great uncle, Gilbert Webster, worked with Paul McCartney. My reaction to that was, well, how most people would react if they learned that they're family member worked with one of their biggest inspirations. It was unbelievable at first, until my dad showed me this website. I listened to "Those Were the Days" and jeez, that song was pretty cool to listen to. My friends/future bandmates were also stoked when they heard about this. We're all pretty big Beatles fans, and it's gotten us to wanna make our own music, because well, music is awesome! We're thinking of the band name "Trouts" due to our collective liking towards fish. Ain't it cool? My friends and I are still quite new to music making, and were very much open to any tips or advice. My biggest problem right now is wether to make a silly song or a more serious song first. What do you think? Anyways, to conclude this long message, I would like to say thanks to whoever read it, and that me and my friends will be soon making our first song. (P.S. I think Paul made the right choice with the addition of a cimbalom.)
The PaulMcCartney Project • Feb 16, 2025 • 3 months ago
Hi Miyo, thanks a lot for your message ! And what a great story ! I wish you all the best for recording your new music, with your mates !
Mark Glentworth • Mar 18, 2025 • 2 months ago
That’s a nice story Miyo!.. I discovered it as I am writing a short book about the story behind the solo vibraphone piece that I wrote called “Blues for Gilbert” . It was dedicated to your great uncle Gilbert Webster as he was my percussion teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music back in the 70’s. I am always surprised to hear how many people play the piece all over the world, it was Gilbert’s favourite instrument, hopefully it’s keeping his memory alive as he was an inspiration to many percussionists here in the UK.
Miyo Underwood • Apr 04, 2025 • 1 month ago
Hey Mark! I listened to your song "Blues for Gilbert", and I just wanna say I find it really really great! It's fascinating that such an amazing song was dedicated to my great uncle, and I was surprised too to learn that lots of people play it. I hope that your writing is going well, and it would be awesome to read your short book when it comes out :)
