Born in Merthyr Tydfil amongst the mountains and valleys of South Wales, Dai was given an Elvis Presley plastic guitar at the age of nine however, he was eleven years old before he realized that you had to tune it. With this newfound knowledge, he went from strength to strength and eventual bought his first guitar aged 11after an appendix operation. Six week’s of recuperation and away from school gave Dai some space to master the basic chords on the guitar the outcome of this was that Dai’s schoolwork would n be relegated to the way side as playing the guitar consumed his life. Playing guitar dominated young Shell’s life from this point on.
In 1966, Dai joined his first group as the rhythm guitarist. It was an already recognized band from Merthyr called “Chapter Five”. The drummer with Chapter 5 was young Gary Davies who now plays with Sassafras. Some months later Dai took over on lead guitar as the previous lead player could not make his guitar feedback but Dai could. After gigging solidly for about a year, he was offered a residency with a group at a Cardiff nightclub. ‘Titos’ as it was then called . The club used to feature the top acts of the day , and it was here through listening to professional bands such as The Tremeloes , Jerry and the Pacemakers that Dai decided that he wanted to make a career in music. Dai played by night and during the day built a demo-recording studio with his friends. Shakin Stevens, John Ottway, used the studio and Alan Jones (Amen Corner).The studio called Ddraig Studios and was located in Severn Road Cardiff.
The studio is no longer there however, the building is now the home of a plumbing firm.
It was at ‘Tito’s that Dai first met Ralph Evans(later to become style guru to Z.Z Top)
In 1970, Ralph asked Dai if he would like join Ricky John Holt and Rob Reynolds who had just formed a trio called Sassafras . Dai joined and the four of them set about finding a singer to front the new band. The singer they found was Terry Bennett a retired porn star fro Berwick upon Tweed.
The band used Dai’s studio to write & rehearse and construct their demo recordings. The demos sent to various record companies in London eventually attracting the attention of George Martin’s company Air London who signed the band and released Sassafras debut album ‘Expecting Company’ in 1971 through Polydor Records. 2 more albums followed and an endless touring schedule both in Europe and America and a number of musicians departures started to tax even the resilient Dai Shell
Dai remained with the original Sassafras until 1976 when sadly the band disbanded. He then took a post with CBC a local independent radio station as an audio engineer. However, Dai kept his guitar in work and would write and record jingles for local firms who took out advertising on the radio.
Still passionate about pursuing his love of writing and recording music Dai along with three friends set about building a new music studio. The studio became Music Factory and right from the start drew on clients from near and far. Some of more notable of these were the late jazz great Dick Heckstal Smith Eric Bell formerly of Thin Lizzy, John Taylor of Duran Duran, Eric Faulkner from the Bay City Rollers, award-winning composers such as Mark Thomas, Robin Williams and John Hardy as well as a host of local bands and luminaries from The Welsh language music scene. Mike Stevens, Geraint Jarman , Y Cyrff , Catatonia, Super Fury Animals ,Jess , Ray Jones ar Band and countless others were regular visitors to the studio .Titch Gwylim and Mickey Gee often were being used as session musicians. Ray Jones Sassafras bassist recorded his entire solo projects to date at Music factory .
Through out this period Dai was constantly gigging and occasionally teaming up with Terry Bennett and other musician friends to play at local clubs and pubs.
During 1999, Ralph Evans who with a colleague had set up an audio postproduction facility for film and television called ‘Sounds in Motion’ invited Dai to join them as Senior Dubbing Editor.
As a result of working together again they wanted to play music together so when yet another opportunity to play as Sassafras came along in the form of an invitation from Danny Chang to co/headline a concert at Saint David’s Hall Cardiff along with other veteran band ‘Racing Cars the offer was taken up with gusto.
Out of that concert came ‘Sassafras Live’ mixed & produced by Dai, and edited by Elli.
A year later and many more gigs down the road Sassafras performed at CIA Cardiff to tumultuous applause and rave reviews
Despite the departure of Terry Bennett, Dai Shell remains the glue that cements the Sassafras of 2005 together and is as ever is exited and optimistic about the band in the future.
Of late Dai has been sporting a variety of guitars played through Fender, Marshal and Boogie amplifiers.
Pet hates : He is not particularly fond of noisy amplifiers or flat tyres
Pet likes : Ellie, sustain and good quality French wine .Double portions of bread and butter pudding.
Favourite sayings : In all fairness & ows it goiing