Chart entered : 27 June 1963
Chart peak : 1
Number of hits : 14
Liverpool again, and a
band whose roots were similar to the Beatles: starting with skiffle before
evolving into the fresher "beat" sound, followed by numerous gigs at
the Cavern and the Star Club in Hamburg - where they worked their musical
muscles into tight shape. By early 1963, they were impressive enough to get a
contract with Pye Records.
After numerous line-up
switches in their early days, by the time of their debut single they are
settled down with Tony Jackson (vocals/bass), Mike Pender (vocals/lead guitar),
rhythm guitarist John McNally and drummer Chris Curtis, who would also do the
odd lead vocal.
Unlike the Beatles,
the Searchers did not have any songwriters of note, and thus had to rely on
cover versions. Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Sweets For My
Sweet" was song surprisingly not a hit for the Drifters in 1961, coming as
it did soon after their "Save the Last Dance For Me" had hit #2.
However, their commercial fortunes would not be revived for another decade.
The Searchers, named
after the John Wayne classic, naturally, took the song and made the most of it,
taking it all the way to the top - an impressive feat. Looking at the single 50
years later, it holds up OK, but no more. The lads do a decent job on the vocal
front, especially the rest of the band on backing, though all four somewhat
pale in comparison to the Drifters. Pender's lead guitar line works well in
replacing the piano in the original - but it's not a song that stays with you
for long.
D.C. Harrison
Also of course on Popular Searchers
Thanks DC.
ReplyDeleteThese lot never really escaped the shadow of their neighbours and I can't think of much to say about them. As they're still going I will prepare for a long goodbye post !
Of course, Chris Curtis will crop up later down the line playing a role in the early days of a band who played a somewhat different style to the Searchers...
ReplyDelete