I hope it's okay to post a short and heartfelt tribute and thank-you on IORR to The Searchers who bow out for the last and final time this Friday on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury. Incidentally their set is NOT an acoustic set, reagrdless of the stage name.

Rather like The Stones, time, age and the demands of live performing have taken their toll on the band membership. Only the great John McInally remains from the very early days of the band, who were initially known as The Searchers Skiffle Group. The original line-up consisted of McInally, Mike Pinder, Tony Jackson and Chris Curtis, When Tony Jackson, who was the original lead singer and bass player, left to go solo in 1964 he was replaced by Frank Allen who is still in the band. Chris Curtis who played drums left in 1966 and Mike Pender who co-founded the band with John McInally left in 1985. These days the band comprises John McInally, Frank Allen, Spencer James (who replaced Mike Pinder in 1985) and new boy Richie Burns on drums (since 2023).

The Searchers great days were undoubtedly in the 1960s when they rivalled The Beatles as the best band in Liverpool and during which time they had three No. 1 singles - and a slew of other top ten hits when that actually meant something. But they kept on going, and made brave, albeit unsuccessful, efforts to expand their recorded legacy and evolve into a more album-related band. But the fans wanted the original hits and The Searchers gave them what they wanted. And did so with skill, with panache and without ever disgracing their name.

My thanks, and I should imagine that of thousands of their fans both here in GB and accross Europe, to these fine gentlemen for the years of musical pleasure they provided to us all.

Thank you Searchers. How right and proper it is that you get to go out in a blaze of glory at Glastonbury.

Well deserved. Very well deserved indeed!

Frank Allen was interview quite recently on BBC News - or it may have been Sky - and it was interesting to hear all he had to say. Certainly, this’ll be an end of an era. The Hollies are still going, but when the Searches bow out after Glastonbury, which of those old ‘beat groups’ will remain? Please no-one, not Herman’s Hermits! Oh, and we know there’s a certain band from the 60’s, still pretty big, and much-loved, here!

Don’t Throw Your Love Away was a terrific single.

*sniff* I had their autographs.

Great band never saw the original line up, but saw them many times when they toured NZ over .the last twenty or so years

Never saw em but in my view they are a important part of the60s British Invasion.
A truly great band.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-26 18:07 by babyblue.

Great band, a bit underrated, I think.

Had that jingle/jangle sound before the Byrds.

The two albums they did ~1980 for Sire Records are very good too!

Is there a tape around from Glastonbury?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-26 19:21 by Rank Stranger.

That's quite a musical journey for them to end up playing Glastonbury and as said, what a way to say farewell to Live performances.

After the Stones and Beatles I always rate them right up there..Sweets For My Sweet and Sugar And spice..Great stuff!..I have a double vinyl album of there best stuff.

....growing up in the late 50's, early 60's, who could ask for more?. They initially had hits with cover versions, which they made their own. I couldn't wait to see them on Shindig, and other television shows!.

........I was only 13 yrs old, but thanks to my older brother, I learned a pd that "cover versions" didn't take away from the artists talent!!!!................

Quote
Rank Stranger

Is there a tape around from Glastonbury?

The Searchers play on Friday, June 27th (20:00-21:00, Acoustic Stage) - [Independent.co.uk] .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-27 20:25 by Irix.

Well Irix that tomorrow hope everyone has a good time including the band. Is Rod Stewart still playing?

I hope the BBC - you never know with them - have the sense to broadcast it; even if it’s only on iplayer, or something.

Quote
babyblue

Is Rod Stewart still playing?

Sunday, June 29th (15:45-17:15, The Pyramid Stage) - [Independent.co.uk] . Broadcast: [www.BBC.co.uk] .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-27 20:25 by Irix.

Found this with Google:

"The BBC will broadcast The Searchers' final performance at Glastonbury Festival on June 27th, 2025, which marks the end of their 68-year touring career. The band will be playing on the Acoustic Stage, with their set time scheduled between 8pm and 9pm. BBC Radio 6 Music will also be covering the festival extensively, with dedicated Glastonbury programming running from Wednesday to Monday.
The Searchers, a Merseybeat band known for hits like "Sweets For My Sweet" and "Needles and Pins", will be performing their "last ever show" as part of their Final Farewell Tour. BBC Radio Merseyside will be featuring the band's Glastonbury debut and the end of their touring career."

But I cannot see it in Radio Merseyside's schedule:

[www.bbc.co.uk]

"Paul McCartney with John McNally and Frank Allen from The Searchers. A long way from the Cavern."

[x.com]

It seems the BBC didn't show the Searchers set... Does anyone know why? And, more importantly, is there some other place to watch their set?

Thanks!

The Searchers - Glastonbury Festival - June 27, 2025:



[www.YouTube.com]


The Searchers - The Concorde Club, Eastleigh (UK), June 26, 2025:



[www.YouTube.com] , [www.YouTube.com]


The Searchers - Grand Theatre, Leeds (UK), June 16, 2025:



[www.YouTube.com] , [www.YouTube.com]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-28 16:55 by Irix.

Quote
peoplewitheyes
It seems the BBC didn't show the Searchers set... Does anyone know why? And, more importantly, is there some other place to watch their set?

Thanks!

It's a shame BBC didn't broadcast their show. If Setlist.FM is right, it was a delightful set.

For those who can access Facebook, here's the final medley: [www.facebook.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-29 00:40 by Cristiano Radtke.

It's an absolute disgrace that the BBC simply ignored The Searchers performance, broadcast-wise. We can only hope that somehow, some-way, it will be issued on CD or streamed on some platform somewhere.

I ammreciate that The Searchers would have relatively limited appeal to the typical Glastonbury-viewer. But several of those who were broadcast were niche performers too, with limited viewer appeal at present.

I usually support the BBC. Not because it is perfect. Far from it. But I appreciate the wide range of challenges it faces in the uncertain world of today. However I really am very very annoyed indeed by this entire matter!

When you walk in the room: [youtu.be]

Twist and Shout: [youtu.be]

Needles and Pins: [youtu.be]

Peggy Sue: [youtu.be]

Love Potion Number 9: [youtu.be]

Sweets for my sweet: [youtu.be]