- Billy Adamson -- drums (replaced Johnny Blunt) (1969-)
- Frank Allan -- vocals, bass (replaced Tony Jackson) (1964-)
- Johnny Blunt -- drums (replaced Chris Curtis) (1966-69)
- Chris Curtis (aka Chris Crumney) -- drums (1961-66)
- Tony Jackson -- vocals, bass (1961-64)
- Spencer James -- vocals, guitar (replaced Mike Pender)

  (1985-)
- John McNally -- guitar (1961-)
- Mike Pender (aka Mike Pendergast) - vocals, guitar

  (1961-85) 

 

- Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers (Frank Allen)

- The Vibrators (Tony Jackson)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The New Searchers LP

Company: Kapp

Catalog: K-1412

Country/State: UK

Year: 1965

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor ring wear; mono pressing

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: 5226

Price: $20.00

Produced by Tony Hatch, 1965's "The New Searchers LP" introduced former Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers bassist Frank Allen, replacing the departing Jackson (who promptly formed The Vibrators). In spite of the fact Pender and Allen were now handling lead vocals, the overall sound changed very little. Exemplified by tracks such as 'Everybody Come and Clap Your Hands', 'If I Could Find Someone' and the country flavored 'A Tear Fell', the group's patented vocal harmonies remained instantly recognizable. Sure, for the most part it was a bit on the MOR side, but in the mid-1960s it made for cutting edge music you could play without upsetting your folks. Elsewhere, while they may not have been fully aware of the song's blatant anti-nuclear war stance, the band deserved credit for turning in a nifty folk-rock cover of Malvina Reynolds' 'What Have They Done To the Rain'. Taking a fairly bold step, Kapp elected to release the track as a single (Kapp catalog number K-644). The reward was another top-40 American single. Backed by another American tour and an appearance on NBC's Hullabaloo television series, the parent album proved another modest seller, the set hitting # 112 in the States.

"The New Searchers LP" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Everybody Come and Clap Your Hands   (Jeff Barry - Ellie Greenwich) - 2:37
2.) If I Could Find Someone   (Chris Curtis) - 2:09
3.) Magic Potion   (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:33
4.) I Don't Want To Go On Without You   (Russell - Jerry Wexler) - 2:58
5.) Bumble Bee   (Fullylook - Baker) - 2:13
6.) Something You Got   (Chris Kenner) - 2:37

(side 2)

1.) What Have They Done To the Rain   (Milvina Reynolds) - 2:54
2.) A Tear Fell   (Burton - Randolph) - 3:00
3.) Till You Say You Are Mine   (Jackie DeShannon) - 2:18
4.) You Wanna Make Her Happy   (Chris Curtis) - 2:11
5.) Everything You Do   (Chris Curtis) - 1:37
6.) Goodnight Baby   (Jeff Barry - Ellie Greenwich - Venet) - 2:17

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  The Searchers

Company: Sire

Catalog: SRK-6082

Country/State: UK

Year: 1980

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: original inner sleeve

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: 5227

Price: $15.00

A reflection of his popularity and influence, the late 1970s saw Bruce Springsteen include 'When You Walk Into the Room' in his live shows.  After years of neglect, the resulting publicity saw The Searchers enjoy a sudden resurgence.  Coming eight years after the release of their last American studio album, 1978 found the band signing with Sire. Produced by Pat Moran, 1979's "The Searchers" was nothing short of a great comeback. Exemplified by material such as 'Hearts In Her Eyes', 'Feeling Fine' and 'Love's Gonna Be Strong', after all these years Pender and McNally's shimmering guitars and the group's trademark intricate harmonies remained intact. A mix of originals and well chosen covers, the collection's low tech sound and obvious sense of enthusiasm was unlike anything else on the radio.  Highlights included the band's cover of Mickey Jupp's 'Switchboard Susan' (always loved the couplet 'I've got an extension and I'm not talking about Alexander Graham Bell's invention", the original 'This Kind of Love Affair' and their cover of Tom Petty's pretty 'Lost In Your Eyes'.  Easily one of the year's most impressive comebacks, the set attracted rave reviews from the critics, including numerous end of the year top-10 lists, but few sales peaking at # 191 in the States. 

"The Searchers" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Hearts In Her Eyes   (John Wicks - Will Birch) - 
2.) Switchboard Susan   (Mickey Jupp) - 
3.) Feeling Fine
4.) This Kind of Love Affair
5.) Lost In Your Eyes   (Tom Petty) - 

(side 2)

1.) Its Too Late   (John David) - 
2.) No Dancing   (Noel Brown) - 
3.) Coming From the Heart   (Bob Dylan) - 
4.) Don't Hang On
5.) Love's Gonna Be Strong

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Love's Melodies

Company: Sire

Catalog: SRK-

Country/State: UK

Year: 1981

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: --

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: 5228

Price: $15.00

Reunited with producer Pat Moran (Ed Stasium co-producing), 1981's "Play for Love" was every bit as good as the previous album. Inexplicably re-titled "Love's Melodies" for the American market, the collection stuck with the same attack as the earlier set offering up a beguling mix of jangle guitar originals and well chosen covers including Big Star's 'September Gurls' and John Fogerty's 'Almost Saturday Night'.  While the entire album was catchy and commercial, highlights included 'Infatuation', the buoyant title track and a roaring cover of The Records' 'Everything But a Heartache'.  Personal favorites included the glistening 'Murder In My Hart' and 'Radio Romance' (which sounded like a Records outtake - course it was written by The Records).  In spite of rave critical reviews, the collection failed to chart in the States.

"Love's Melodies" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Silver   (Dave Paul) - 
2.) Infatuation   (Randy Bishop) - 
3.) She Made a Fool of You   (Moon Martin) - 
4.) Almost Saturday Night   (John Fogerty) - 
5.) Little Bit of Heaven   (John McNally - Mike Pender - Frank Allan) - 
6.) You Are the New Day   (John David) - 

(side 2)

1.) Love's Melody   (Andy McMasters) - 
2.) Everything But a Heartache   (Will Birch - Richie Bull) - 
3.) Radio Romance   (Will Birch - Paul Shuttlewoth - Vic Collin) - 
4.) Murder In My Heart   (Ronnie Thomas) - 
5.) September Gurls   (Alex Chilton) - 
6.) Another Night   (John McNally - Mike Pender - Frank Allan) -