THE SEARCHERS were big in the 1960s and are still going strong, headlining tours all over the world, collecting awards and recruiting new fans from all age groups.
The band is on its way to Newcastle to perform in one show only at WESTS LEAGUES CLUB on Sunday, February 6.
From their early beginnings in the late 1950s as a skiffle group through to their days as teenage idols in the 1960s, The Searchers had a sound that influenced other successful artists such as TOM PETTY, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and THE BYRDS. Formed in Liverpool in 1960 as a backing group for JOHNNY SANDON, The Searchers took their name from the JOHN WAYNE film.
The founding members were JOHN McNALLY, who still leads the group, MIKE PENDER, TONY JACKSON and CHRIS CURTIS. They appeared regularly at the IRON DOOR CLUB until late 1961 when Johnny Sandon left to join the REMO FOUR. The Searchers decided to take their chances and continue without him and promptly hit the trail to Hamburg and the prestigious STAR CLUB along with many of their fellow musicians including THE BEATLES. This move was one they would never regret.
After their first appearance at the Star Club in July 1962, The Searchers continued to play there for 128 days, with three one-hour performances a night.
Their line-up has changed a number of times over the years but their music is still powerful.
With Tony Jackson singing the vocals of Sweets For My Sweet , Sugar and Spice , Needles and Pins and Love Potion Number Nine , to Mike Pender as vocalist for the hits Don't Throw Your Love Away and Someday We're Gonna Love Again , the list of chart toppers continued to grow with each new band member and vocalist.
Both 2004 and 2005 could be considered 42nd anniversary years for The Searchers; in 1962 the original group turned professional and in June 1963 was when their first record Sweets for My Sweet , topped the charts, their first of three number ones and seven other top 20 hits. Still full of enthusiasm, The Searchers look forward to more years of music.
The members of the group are John McNally (lead guitar, 12-string guitar, vocals), FRANK ALLEN (bass, vocals), SPENCER JAMES (lead vocals, synthesiser guitar) and EDDIE ROTHE (drums, percussion and backing vocals).
The Searchers will play Wests Leagues Club on February 6. For tickets and information, phone 4935 1300.
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