When I was 22/23 ish I got a job at Pontinental in Majorca. ( pontins) I was in a comedy double act ( Rick & Johnny). My entertainments manager was Tony Jackson . ( 1974) He took me under his wing after laughing at a few impressions I did.” Get up on that stage son and make em laugh ,you’ve got talent “ he said. He never even talked about his history in the searchers till I got to know him. He was more interested in managing me untill I heard him sing in my chalet where I rehearsed. He wasn’t interested in entertaining anymore ( at the time) but I soon talked him into it. He loved impressions ,so I told him to try a few vocal impressions ( Roy Orbison, Elvis etc) he was brilliant, but it was only a couple of times as his duties as entertainments manager was mor important to him.( he spoke 3 languages by the way) Tony inspired me to keep going and I ended up in two other 60 s bands .The Fortunes and the Rockin Berries thanks to Tony’s encouragement and his lovely wife. What a natural talent.
Tony Jackson sure had a fine voice and I think it’s quite shocking that he wasn’t snapped up by another band. He gave the Searchers their biggest success. The Vibrations were pretty good too. Probably the most underrated vocalist of the 60’s.
Never in a million years should Tony Jackson been forced out of the searchers. He and Mike Pender were the sound of the Searchers. Chris Curtis was responsible for turning them into a good group from a great group. Has always angered me because next the Beatles they were my favourite group.
in 1991 was in a music shop when behind me ttrying out bass guitars was tony jackson i was only 21 my dad had a large record collition and one lp was meet the seachers so when someone said his name i new who he was me being music mad said hello and if he new john lennon. i remember him saying lennon was a bully and tony said once lennon had backed down in a fight with tony. i love the magic of the 50s and 60s music so this although small metting has stayed with me ever since
They should NEVER have gotten rid of Tony Jackson. He gave the band a unique sound and also gave them some "coolness." Then again, what would Frank Allen have done with his life? lol
Chris had the most talent and vocal range, he surely was not just the drummer! He was a songwriter, and could play any instrument, added percussion! Creatively, he was the bigger loss when he left. Tony was a troublemaker....albeit he had a decent voice. Frank had a better personality, brought in by Chris Curtis.
@@cherixbiggs5819 both Chris and tony made the searchers. Chris was an amazing frontman. He knew how to hype up the crowd and his vocal range was amazing. Tony gave the searchers their early sound. His vocals defined them in the early years. Both Chris and Tony gave them their sound. Frank Allen might of been a better bassist but Tony was a better singer.
@@TwiggyArmstrong totally agree with everything you said! Thank you for being a fan! Chris, indeed had an amazing range. Did you know Tony invented that one guitar “twiddly” guitar bit.... where the lyrics are “play at love” then Tony’s twiddly guitar notes are heard. It’s very pleasing to hear throughout the song. Chris was my favorite, but I loved all the original line up best! ❤️☺️
I was a young teen in the early 60's and Tony's sensational voice blew our socks off on "Sweets" and "Sugar", but when he left, the Searchers went downhill fast
+R. Crompton - As I recall, the Searchers only had 2 more big hits after Sweets, namely 'Sugar and Spice' and 'Needles and Pins', but after that they lost their edge.
I think the searchers made better records after the first few hits, Nothing wrong with stuff like Don't throw your love away, this feeling inside, when I get home, what have they done to the rain, second hand dealer, and many many more, just my opinion.
@Mark Ehrlich It just seems like an utterly stupid and short-sighted decision to me. Not only did he have a unique voice that made them instantly recognisable on the radio with his brilliant vocals on those early hits, he also improved massively as a vocalist and his singing on his records with The Vibrations is much stronger than it was with The Searchers and they would have benefited hugely from that. Also, the public have a set idea of bands of that ilk, ie they would never accept anyone other than John, Paul, George and Ringo as The Beatles, so a decision like that succeeds only in alienating their fans. Once they were established, John Lennon would never have dreamed of even trying to kick George or Ringo out of The Beatles, and he was John Lennon, infinitely more powerful and respected than Chris Curtis.
As a fan I know that they were all important and did what they had to in the songs. Their core was Jackie Deshannon but they did it their own way and it came out great.
They weren't as successful post 65, but that's due to many reason's, times were changing and they couldn't really keep up. Gerry&the pacemakers burned out late 65, most mersey bands had, with the exception of the beatles and the hollies who drastically changed musically..
The vocal combination of Jackson and Pender was incredible. I think it was a mistake to fire Jackson. However, the reason The Beatles kept going was their material. I doubt that The Searchers could have continued writing number one quality material ...
Assuming Tony's account of his split from the group is accurate (Chris, like Tony, is no longer with us and can't give his side of the story), what I can't understand is why the rest of the group let this happen. John McNally, after all, was the founding member of the group, not Chris. But then, Brian Jones, not Mick Jagger or Keith Richards, was the founder of the Rolling Stones, wasn't he?
When you are given a record contract it was the Holy grail, you saw the cars and girls the beatles had so you did anything the record company said, the instructions for Tony's departure probably came from above. Band members would then agree as to not upset the record deal
Mike said that he didn’t want Tony to leave and that “you get caught in so many emotions during those circumstances” so what I’m guessing what happened was that Mike saw the argument Tony and Chris had and tried calming them both down. But that made things worse. Judging by how Chris was being portrayed here, he must of been trying to convince Mike to kick Tony out which probably led to a bigger argument between Tony, Chris, and Mike. So instead of arguing, Mike just agreed to kick Tony out. For John McNally, I’m not sure. Judging by another comment I read from another video, John seemed a bit more closer to Tony but I’m not sure. The only way to know for sure is to ask both Mike and John what happened. But Im not sure how possible that is.
Excellent video, Roy! I don't know what went down, but I always prefer the Chris, John, Mike and Tony sound. Great pix of Chris -- thank you for sharing. Very sad ending for both Chris and Tony. :-(
Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey Your first sweet kiss thrilled me so Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey I'll never ever let you go Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman,[1] originally recorded by the Drifters. 🥁🎸🎷🎶❤️
Jake Orleans Not here in the USA! Their music did not get the airplay it deserved! And the Searchers were better, musically, than the Beatles. I put it back on the Searchers management. The Beatles had Brian Epstein, plus two main songwriters in Lennon/McCartney.
@@cherixbiggs5819 The Searchers were better musically than the Beatles???????? That is NOT true! How can you even say that? Tony Jackson was not that good of a bass player and Chris Curtis always looked like he it hurt to play drums and he had a weak left hand. There was a very good reason that the Beatles were as big as they were and not to mention that they wrote all their own songs!
Debatable. They probably would have been big in Hamburg during the Beatles early years but not around 1964. The searchers were mainly a cover band so they wouldn’t have made it to the charts. Even if they did, it wouldn’t have been for long.
Drummers like Chris Curtis were ten a penny. There was only one Tony Jackson. He comes across here as being quite nice, but he had such a fearsome reputation. Was that fabricated, or is it just age?
Big mistake dumping Tony Jackson. But heck. Why not add Frank in on as third guitarist if you want his voice and keep Jackson. Crummey made a huge mistake in my humble opinion.
I have the Searchers 40th Anniversary Collection & I would say the songs certainly had a different sound after TJ`s departure but they still did a few good tunes & as with many bands though they would run out of steam eventually . As a guitarist I`d sooner have worked with Tony rather than Chris Curtis he struck me as a bit awkward & over bearing. I bought a color photograph from ebay last year of the Searchers sporting their white Burns guitars which I framed & now hangs on my stair wall.
That’s what Kinda caused the tension between Tony and Chris (maybe even the band). Tony didn’t like how their sound was changing. He wanted to keep playing rock and roll but the others wanted to play a bit of pop. Chris was a great frontman for the band. His ego just got out of control when the searchers were having a bit of success. He wasn’t awkward, he was just cocky.
There were some great songs with Frank Allen, no doubt. It amazes me how short-sighted people were back then. They had no idea you could have Mike Pender singing lead AND Tony Jackson singing lead, and even bring Frank Allen into the band (if he even added good vocals to the group) on a third guitar and actually have FOUR good singers in the band ... Guess they never heard of a group called, "The Beach Boys" ...
If Curtis was so much about another direction he should've left the band and made it happen on his own watch not selfishly siphon the bands status, at least the Searchers could've continued with the formula that had got them there, instead he ruined it for everyone, lesson to all, if a lane's working stick to it
And by '66, Chris Curtis (born Chris Crummy!) wasn't on the Searchers drums anymore! The original lineup was the best, Curtis/Crummy should've stayed on the drums and left well enough alone!
+lee shafer You're right there, it does. The verse melody of Sugar and Spice also sounds exactly like another song that Tony Hatch wrote, a song his sister Ninette recorded, called Push A Little Button.
Curtis lived up to his real name crummy. Arrogance ruined his and others careers. Couldn't stand the man, Billy Adamson was the best drummer the Searchers ever had and although I liked Tony a lot I think Frank was a superb edition to the band. If a five piece that would have great with John, Mike, Billy, Frank and Tony as my favourite 60s band and they were a pop group not rock and roll.
I'm not sure the Searchers had staying power even if Tony had stayed. As mentioned, The Beatles had their material to keep them going. The Searchers fate was about on the level as Gerry and the Pacemakers, disappeared after 1965 and they had no lineup changes during their height of fame. I prefer Penders voice to Tony's myself, but it's possible if Tony had stayed they'd have had one or two more big ones, but I personally thought Frank Allen was a better bass player, not a great lead singer but could pull off a few lead vocals. I think Frank may have extended their career just slightly even if they weren't on top. Tony was good in the beginning but I dare say he was a bit of a one trick pony. Not a slight to him, but it's the way it was.
![Megan Thee Stallion - Neva Play (feat. RM) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TpYTyAaTRts/mqdefault.jpg)
When I was 22/23 ish I got a job at Pontinental in Majorca. ( pontins) I was in a comedy double act ( Rick & Johnny). My entertainments manager was Tony Jackson . ( 1974) He took me under his wing after laughing at a few impressions I did.” Get up on that stage son and make em laugh ,you’ve got talent “ he said. He never even talked about his history in the searchers till I got to know him. He was more interested in managing me untill I heard him sing in my chalet where I rehearsed. He wasn’t interested in entertaining anymore ( at the time) but I soon talked him into it. He loved impressions ,so I told him to try a few vocal impressions ( Roy Orbison, Elvis etc) he was brilliant, but it was only a couple of times as his duties as entertainments manager was mor important to him.( he spoke 3 languages by the way) Tony inspired me to keep going and I ended up in two other 60 s bands .The Fortunes and the Rockin Berries thanks to Tony’s encouragement and his lovely wife. What a natural talent.
great story posted it, on my Facebook Searchers File page
@@rcpinsaThanks,that’s very kind of you. John.
Tony was a face in the band ,,,i missed him..
Fantastic British singers. Very talented. Great memories for a Texas fan and still enjoy your music. Thanks for your music.
Tony Jackson sure had a fine voice and I think it’s quite shocking that he wasn’t snapped up by another band. He gave the Searchers their biggest success. The Vibrations were pretty good too. Probably the most underrated vocalist of the 60’s.
Never in a million years should Tony Jackson been forced out of the searchers. He and Mike Pender were the sound of the Searchers. Chris Curtis was responsible for turning them into a good group from a great group. Has always angered me because next the Beatles they were my favourite group.
The original Searchers were brilliant
Tony Jackson had a unique, irreplaceable voice , the Searchers without him long-term , were just another band !
Tony "Black Jake" Jackson and Chris "Mad Henry" Curtis ,they were my two boyhood heroes.....miss those days.
Mine too. Loved those guys. Odd that they died within two years of one another.
in 1991 was in a music shop when behind me ttrying out bass guitars was tony jackson i was only 21 my dad had a large record collition and one lp was meet the seachers so when someone said his name i new who he was me being music mad said hello and if he new john lennon. i remember him saying lennon was a bully and tony said once lennon had backed down in a fight with tony. i love the magic of the 50s and 60s music so this although small metting has stayed with me ever since
Me : none the richer for this !!!
Fantastic times, absolutely wonderful, beautiful music and real talented artist's "star's,
MUCH prefer Tony Jackson on bass and vocals. They had three really good singers, with Tony.
I didn't know much about the serchers until I got older I fell bad that Tony and Chris or both dead rest in peace sweethearts
Tony was their main man for me
They should NEVER have gotten rid of Tony Jackson. He gave the band a unique sound and also gave them some "coolness."
Then again, what would Frank Allen have done with his life? lol
That is hardly fair. Tony Jackson had an uncontrollable temper and had to go. Mike Pender is another matter.
Chris had the most talent and vocal range, he surely was not just the drummer! He was a songwriter, and could play any instrument, added percussion! Creatively, he was the bigger loss when he left. Tony was a troublemaker....albeit he had a decent voice. Frank had a better personality, brought in by Chris Curtis.
@@cherixbiggs5819 both Chris and tony made the searchers. Chris was an amazing frontman. He knew how to hype up the crowd and his vocal range was amazing. Tony gave the searchers their early sound. His vocals defined them in the early years. Both Chris and Tony gave them their sound. Frank Allen might of been a better bassist but Tony was a better singer.
@@TwiggyArmstrong totally agree with everything you said! Thank you for being a fan! Chris, indeed had an amazing range. Did you know Tony invented that one guitar “twiddly” guitar bit.... where the lyrics are “play at love” then Tony’s twiddly guitar notes are heard. It’s very pleasing to hear throughout the song. Chris was my favorite, but I loved all the original line up best! ❤️☺️
@@cherixbiggs5819 yup in Don’t throw your love away
I was a young teen in the early 60's and Tony's sensational voice blew our socks off on "Sweets" and "Sugar", but when he left, the Searchers went downhill fast
+R. Crompton - As I recall, the Searchers only had 2 more big hits after Sweets, namely 'Sugar and Spice' and 'Needles and Pins', but after that they lost their edge.
I think the searchers made better records after the first few hits, Nothing wrong with stuff like Don't throw your love away, this feeling inside, when I get home, what have they done to the rain, second hand dealer, and many many more, just my opinion.
@Mark Ehrlich I didn't like Love Potion much
@Mark Ehrlich If you haven't, listen to the version by Tony Jackson and the Vibrations, it rocks harder than The Searchers version.
@Mark Ehrlich It just seems like an utterly stupid and short-sighted decision to me. Not only did he have a unique voice that made them instantly recognisable on the radio with his brilliant vocals on those early hits, he also improved massively as a vocalist and his singing on his records with The Vibrations is much stronger than it was with The Searchers and they would have benefited hugely from that. Also, the public have a set idea of bands of that ilk, ie they would never accept anyone other than John, Paul, George and Ringo as The Beatles, so a decision like that succeeds only in alienating their fans. Once they were established, John Lennon would never have dreamed of even trying to kick George or Ringo out of The Beatles, and he was John Lennon, infinitely more powerful and respected than Chris Curtis.
Fascinating footage. Thanks for sharing.
As a fan I know that they were all important and did what they had to in the songs. Their core was Jackie Deshannon but they did it their own way and it came out great.
All of that just blew up in Curtis' face, when The Searchers never had big hits after Tony was kicked out.
That's not correct 's not correct
What hits did they have post '65? Also, could you please tell me what documentary this is? I really want to see the whole thing.
they had 8 top 50 hits and one top 5 album 2 of those 8 went top 5.
Documentary is called Rock Family Trees - Mersey beat sure it's on here
Found it. Thanks a lot, bud. :)
They weren't as successful post 65, but that's due to many reason's, times were changing and they couldn't really keep up.
Gerry&the pacemakers burned out late 65, most mersey bands had, with the exception of the beatles and the hollies who drastically changed musically..
The vocal combination of Jackson and Pender was incredible. I think it was a mistake to fire Jackson. However, the reason The Beatles kept going was their material. I doubt that The Searchers could have continued writing number one quality material ...
The searchers only got the chance to write B sides in the early days, but some of these were good, even if not so good as their biggest cover hits.
Tony Hatch wrote several songs for them.
The Hollies and the Searchers and the Tremolos, are my favorite harmony bands and the Beatles.
Great band!
Assuming Tony's account of his split from the group is accurate (Chris, like Tony, is no longer with us and can't give his side of the story), what I can't understand is why the rest of the group let this happen. John McNally, after all, was the founding member of the group, not Chris. But then, Brian Jones, not Mick Jagger or Keith Richards, was the founder of the Rolling Stones, wasn't he?
Unfortunately, I think his drinking had something to do with it as well. That does not excuse Chris's attitude.
When you are given a record contract it was the Holy grail, you saw the cars and girls the beatles had so you did anything the record company said, the instructions for Tony's departure probably came from above. Band members would then agree as to not upset the record deal
Mike said that he didn’t want Tony to leave and that “you get caught in so many emotions during those circumstances” so what I’m guessing what happened was that Mike saw the argument Tony and Chris had and tried calming them both down. But that made things worse. Judging by how Chris was being portrayed here, he must of been trying to convince Mike to kick Tony out which probably led to a bigger argument between Tony, Chris, and Mike. So instead of arguing, Mike just agreed to kick Tony out.
For John McNally, I’m not sure. Judging by another comment I read from another video, John seemed a bit more closer to Tony but I’m not sure. The only way to know for sure is to ask both Mike and John what happened. But Im not sure how possible that is.
Excellent video, Roy! I don't know what went down, but I always prefer the Chris, John, Mike and Tony sound. Great pix of Chris -- thank you for sharing. Very sad ending for both Chris and Tony. :-(
How many times have great bands broken up because the members egos get in the way?
Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey
Your first sweet kiss thrilled me so
Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey
I'll never ever let you go
Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman,[1] originally recorded by the Drifters.
🥁🎸🎷🎶❤️
They could have been just as big as the Beatles if Tony stayed
Jake Orleans Not here in the USA! Their music did not get the airplay it deserved! And the Searchers were better, musically, than the Beatles. I put it back on the Searchers management. The Beatles had Brian Epstein, plus two main songwriters in Lennon/McCartney.
@@cherixbiggs5819 The Searchers were better musically than the Beatles???????? That is NOT true! How can you even say that? Tony Jackson was not that good of a bass player and Chris Curtis always looked like he it hurt to play drums and he had a weak left hand. There was a very good reason that the Beatles were as big as they were and not to mention that they wrote all their own songs!
Debatable. They probably would have been big in Hamburg during the Beatles early years but not around 1964. The searchers were mainly a cover band so they wouldn’t have made it to the charts. Even if they did, it wouldn’t have been for long.
@@richieluckenbill1590 actually the Searchers started to write more as time went on
@@evanholly3649 Even so, they were never gonna get anywhere near The Beatles.
TJ should have formed a band with Pete Best,. Maybe called it "Second Chance".
loved the searchers
Kelly checkout
facebook.com/groups/171164503439789
Great pix of Chris, SPM! :-) Thank you for sharing this with me!!!
Drummers like Chris Curtis were ten a penny. There was only one Tony Jackson. He comes across here as being quite nice, but he had such a fearsome reputation. Was that fabricated, or is it just age?
Don't agree re Chris Curtis technically as a Drummer statement may be true but he brought so much more to the group.
It's easy to come across as nice in a TV interview, he did have a drink problem and a violent temper, this was 20 years after the events..
Tony was big in Portugal after leaving them. The most embarassing live gig was at Wembley poll winners with NME and Chris doing vocals.
He does a great version of what i say !
Big mistake dumping Tony Jackson. But heck. Why not add Frank in on as third guitarist if you want his voice and keep Jackson. Crummey made a huge mistake in my humble opinion.
I have the Searchers 40th Anniversary Collection & I would say the songs certainly had a different sound after TJ`s departure but they still did a few good tunes & as with many bands though they would run out of steam eventually .
As a guitarist I`d sooner have worked with Tony rather than Chris Curtis he struck me as a bit awkward & over bearing.
I bought a color photograph from ebay last year of the Searchers sporting their white Burns guitars which I framed & now hangs on my stair wall.
That’s what Kinda caused the tension between Tony and Chris (maybe even the band). Tony didn’t like how their sound was changing. He wanted to keep playing rock and roll but the others wanted to play a bit of pop.
Chris was a great frontman for the band. His ego just got out of control when the searchers were having a bit of success. He wasn’t awkward, he was just cocky.
There were some great songs with Frank Allen, no doubt. It amazes me how short-sighted people were back then. They had no idea you could have Mike Pender singing lead AND Tony Jackson singing lead, and even bring Frank Allen into the band (if he even added good vocals to the group) on a third guitar and actually have FOUR good singers in the band ... Guess they never heard of a group called, "The Beach Boys" ...
If Curtis was so much about another direction he should've left the band and made it happen on his own watch not selfishly siphon the bands status, at least the Searchers could've continued with the formula that had got them there, instead he ruined it for everyone, lesson to all, if a lane's working stick to it
Tony Jackson & Mike Pender were the hallmark of the Searchers !!! Drummer Curtis should have got ejected ! Great sound !
It was a sad day when Tony Jackson left the Group they were never the same.sad the way he ended up.
S
Anyone got a spare copy of Tony's Portuguese E.P. laying around?!?
And by '66, Chris Curtis (born Chris Crummy!) wasn't on the Searchers drums anymore! The original lineup was the best, Curtis/Crummy should've stayed on the drums and left well enough alone!
sugar and spice sounds like sheila
+lee shafer You're right there, it does. The verse melody of Sugar and Spice also sounds exactly like another song that Tony Hatch wrote, a song his sister Ninette recorded, called Push A Little Button.
Chris Curtis should have just" Shut the FUCK UP AND consinstraded on being the drummer and saying"It's my band"! No!! Chris It wasn't YOUR BAND!!
Tony was the best-looking of the bunch; maybe this had something to do with his exit from the band
It Didn't and a subjective view
He surely was not! They were all handsome! What a ridiculous comment!
Pete Best was kicked out of The Beatles for the same reason.
@@moorlock2003 Not true at all. Do your homework.
@@moorlock2003 all the girls wanted Pete….but were they so keen after he was dumped?
Curtis lived up to his real name crummy. Arrogance ruined his and others careers. Couldn't stand the man, Billy Adamson was the best drummer the Searchers ever had and although I liked Tony a lot I think Frank was a superb edition to the band. If a five piece that would have great with John, Mike, Billy, Frank and Tony as my favourite 60s band and they were a pop group not rock and roll.
Whats the doco called?
Rock Family Trees, based on the books by Pete Frame. It was first broadcast in 1998.
I'm not sure the Searchers had staying power even if Tony had stayed. As mentioned, The Beatles had their material to keep them going. The Searchers fate was about on the level as Gerry and the Pacemakers, disappeared after 1965 and they had no lineup changes during their height of fame. I prefer Penders voice to Tony's myself, but it's possible if Tony had stayed they'd have had one or two more big ones, but I personally thought Frank Allen was a better bass player, not a great lead singer but could pull off a few lead vocals. I think Frank may have extended their career just slightly even if they weren't on top. Tony was good in the beginning but I dare say he was a bit of a one trick pony. Not a slight to him, but it's the way it was.