The Searchers , Dusty Springfield - Coventry Theatre - August 1964

The Searchers , Dusty Springfield - Coventry Theatre - August 1964

by Pete Clemons

After a summer recess, further pop entertainment was provided by the Coventry Theatre, over the August bank holiday weekend of 1964, and for the rest of that week.

This time it was the turn of another Liverpool group, The Searchers, who would share top billing with Dusty Springfield in a one week variety bill that marked the reopening of the theatre.

Within the advertising for this event it was stated that 'The Searchers visit to Coventry will be a welcome opportunity for local fans to see the band in a live performance. They reached the coveted top place in the hit parade with 'Needles and Pins' and 'Dont Throw Your Love Away'. And their latest recording 'Someday Were Gonna Love Again' is already climbing the charts'.

After forming and, in the space of two short months, The Searchers, established themselves as one of the countries most successful and sought after bands. They gained their first silver disc during 1963 with 'Sweets for my Sweet' which hit the top spot just three weeks after it entered the charts. Their debut LP, 'Meet The Searchers' released during 1964, hit the upper reaches of the charts within seven days after release, quickly establishing the band as serious recording artists and not just one hit wonders.

The Searchers were apparently named as such after the John Wayne. They formed initially as a backing group for a country and western singer. But they soon departed from that genre and quickly established themselves as a part of the Merseybeat boom. After several highly successful trips to Hamburg's Star Club they cut some demo's. These found their way into the hands of Pye Records A&R man, Tony Hatch. A contract and recording session soon followed and they came to the great listening audience during June 1963.

On December 20 1963 the 'New Musical Express' printed a series of lifelines, in a feature on Dusty Springfield. Of those ambitions Dusty stated that her personal ambition was to be happy. And, back in 1964, she certainly appeared to come across as having a very happy disposition. But, regarding her work, she was never completely happy for no matter how great her performance was, she was always striving for something greater. Another ambition for Dusty was to become an international star. This, at the time of these Coventry appearances, she was well on the way to achieving. Dusty had had a succession of hits in the UK and several in the USA. But of course, Dusty Springfield went on to achieve that ambition by the bucketful. By the time of her week in the city she had completed recording sessions in France and Germany and was scheduled to record Italian and Spanish versions of her hits. And all of these achievements were realised in a short space of time, having only began her solo career during the second half of 1963.

The original advertising for the 1964 Coventry event continued: 'In September The Searchers will be making a return visit to America for a tour. Going with them will be Dusty Springfield who has also made a previous visit. In the meantime her visit to Coventry will also be welcomed, especially when it comes at a time when her latest release, the Burt Bacharach song, 'I Just Don't Know What to do With Myself' is competing for a top place in the hit parade'.

Another singer, Eden Kane, was among the supporting artists for this huge event and the compère for it all was Clifford Davis. Clifford had been a variety performer in his own right. He has appeared at various variety theatres in Britain as a magic act compère and this was be his first appearance in Coventry.

A slight mystery to this event is around the line up of The Searchers. Depending on which source you use, bass player and vocalist Tony Jackson left the band during either July or August 1964. I suspect that his replacement, Frank Allen performed at these gigs. That aside the line up was Tony Jackson/Frank Allen bass and lead vocals, John McNally rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Pender lead guitar and vocals and Chris Curtis on drums.