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Originally founded as a skiffle group in Liverpool in 1959 by John McNally and Mike Pender (Mike Prendergast), the band took their name from the classic 1956 John Wayne western The Searchers. Prendergast claims that the name was his idea, but McNally ascribes it to ’Big Ron’ Woodbridge, their first lead singer. The issue remains unresolved.
The band grew out of an earlier skiffle group formed by McNally, with his friends Brian Dolan (guitar) and Tony West (bass). When the other two members lost interst McNally was joined by his guitarist neighbour Mike Prendergast. They soon recruited Tony Jackson with his home-made bass guitar and amplifier and styled themselves Tony and The Searchers with Joe Kelly on drums. Kelly soon left to be replaced by Norman McGarry and it is this line-up—McNally, Pender (as he soon became known), Jackson and McGarry—that is usually cited as the original foursome.
McGarry did not stay long, however, and in 1960 his place was taken by Chris Crummey (who later changed his name to Curtis). Later that year Big Ron had a successful audition with Mecca and became a ballroom singer. He was replaced by Billy Beck, who changed his name to Johnny Sandon. The band had regular bookings at Liverpool’s Iron Door Club as Johnny Sandon and the Searchers.
Sandon left the band in late 1961 to join The Remo Four in February 1962. The group settled into a quartet sharing the vocal lead and billed simply as The Searchers. They continued to play at the Iron Door, The Cavern, and other Liverpool clubs. Like many similar acts they would do as many as three shows at different venues in one night.
The band grew out of an earlier skiffle group formed by McNally, with his friends Brian Dolan (guitar) and Tony West (bass). When the other two members lost interst McNally was joined by his guitarist neighbour Mike Prendergast. They soon recruited Tony Jackson with his home-made bass guitar and amplifier and styled themselves Tony and The Searchers with Joe Kelly on drums. Kelly soon left to be replaced by Norman McGarry and it is this line-up—McNally, Pender (as he soon became known), Jackson and McGarry—that is usually cited as the original foursome.
McGarry did not stay long, however, and in 1960 his place was taken by Chris Crummey (who later changed his name to Curtis). Later that year Big Ron had a successful audition with Mecca and became a ballroom singer. He was replaced by Billy Beck, who changed his name to Johnny Sandon. The band had regular bookings at Liverpool’s Iron Door Club as Johnny Sandon and the Searchers.
Sandon left the band in late 1961 to join The Remo Four in February 1962. The group settled into a quartet sharing the vocal lead and billed simply as The Searchers. They continued to play at the Iron Door, The Cavern, and other Liverpool clubs. Like many similar acts they would do as many as three shows at different venues in one night.
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Greatest Hits
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All Time Greatest Hits
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Meet the Searchers
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Shoutbox
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fkyou1 wrote:
sexy
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ArthurEngel wrote:
danke euch allen für die kommentare
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ArthurEngel wrote:
danke euch allen für die kommentare
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ArthurEngel wrote:
danke euch allen für die kommentare
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borlottibean wrote:
it's all about Love's Melodies.
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lobogo14 wrote:
I always keep asking myself the question how can a band like this lose to Lady Whatsername? today's youth really doesn't appreciate how much are these bands worth
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whitester wrote:
Saw these guys in concert at Eastbourne last night and they were fantastic,it was good to meet them after the show and get there autographs,keep up the good work fellas and thanks for a great show
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alejandraoleary wrote:
i love them so much.
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DoubleSize wrote:
Sapegas, "Stand by me" from what album is it?
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thetaifunsdrum wrote:
the best from the Ssarchers
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Pavel_p4elz wrote:
!
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Sapegas wrote:
I could not see "Stand by me" on top charts, so strange... this song is awesome ballad
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foxyluva wrote:
I agree. Their self-titled album from 1979 is great.
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GMenRVA wrote:
Some of their later work isn't too bad either--early 80s.
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Sonofthe60s wrote:
"Needles and Pins," "Don't Throw Your Love Away,"...I really liked these guys then and these songs still sound great today.
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madone1972 wrote:
great song
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Lucifer-Sam wrote:
If you dont like the 1980s join my group http://www.last.fm/group/The+80s+Are+Dead+lets+Keep+It+That+Way
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aafval03 wrote:
"NEEDLES AND PINS" it was an unforgotable "hit" from sixties, but I prefer "WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM". Hey !!! SEARCHERS, keep searching.
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prz_rulez wrote:
one of these artists, who were unfortunately forgotten...
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XXXnicoletteXXX wrote:
yep. :D
Videos
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Play
Love Potion No 9
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Play
Till I Met You-The Searchers-HD
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Play
The Searchers - Don't Throw…
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Play
" NEEDLES AND PINS "
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Events
- Apr 4 The Searchers Arts Centre - Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
- Apr 20 The Searchers The Millfield Arts Centre, London, United Kingdom
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Jun
8
Korsør Open Air 2012
Byparken i Korsør, Korsør, Denmark
1 going
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Recent Activity
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lostinthesixtys, richardthebrick and chris1116 added The Searchers to their libraries. yesterday evening
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Maijali tagged The Searchers with ‘classic rock’. Thursday morning
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Groups (17)
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The Sixties
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Liverpool UK
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