Latest news with #MikePender
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
The Searchers, 60s chart toppers, to bow out at Glastonbury
GLASTONBURY, England, June 27 (Reuters) - The Searchers, the Liverpool band that topped the charts in the 1960s with "Sweets for My Sweet", "Needles and Pins" and "Don't Throw Your Love Away", will play their final show at Glastonbury Festival on Friday after 66 years of touring. Formed in 1959 by John McNally and Mike Pender, the group was part of the Merseybeat scene alongside Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Beatles that broke through in the early 1960s before finding success in the United States. Bass player and singer Frank Allen, who joined in 1964, said The Searchers had played "final" gigs before but decided to come back one last time after an invitation from the festival in southwestern England. "We had said that was it, unless something comes up that we really couldn't turn down," Allen, 81, told Reuters. "If there was going to be a bigger one to end on, then that's the one." "It will be mostly the hits, a few little things, tributes maybe to some of the other people that we've toured with over the years." The band has shared bills with the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Cliff Richard, as well as Motown artists in the U.S., he said. After playing to screaming fans in the 1960s, tastes changed in the 1970s and the band moved to the club circuit. "We survived and we came out the other side bigger and better," Allen said. "And as we hit the end of the 70s, everything took off again and there was a new respect for everything we'd done in the past." Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty are among those who said they were influenced by the group's sound, he said. Other performers at Worthy Farm this year include Neil Young, 79, and Rod Stewart, 80.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Searchers at Glastonbury 2025 – stage and time as Liverpool band end 68 years of touring
Liverpool band The Searchers will end nearly 70 years of touring with their debut at the Glastonbury Festival. The band has performed with different line-ups since its formation in 1957. They were formed by musicians Mike Pender and John McNally. The group is long-standing and has existed for decades, after first finding success in the 1960s. The Searchers will take to the Acoustic Stage today. Their stage time is scheduled to be from 8pm to 9pm. Singer in the group John McNally told the BBC: "A Glastonbury debut at 83—can anyone top that? I don't think life gets any better, does it?" "There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we'll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can't wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell." READ MORE: Noel Gallagher wrote 'moody' Oasis song after 'appalling' gig saw him storm out of band READ MORE: Joshua Kimmich becomes first Bayern Munich player to break silence on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool Bassist and singer Frank Allen, who joined the group in 1964, said: "I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us – until now. "The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can't wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast." The Searchers had the first of three UK number ones in 1963 with their version of The Drifters' hit Sweets For My Sweet. They were a part of the Merseybeat scene, flourishing during the British Invasion of the 1960s. They also topped the UK charts twice in 1964 with Needles and Pins and Don't Throw Your Love Away and had other hits in the decade with When You Walk In The Room, Goodbye My Love, and Sugar and Spice. Mike Pender, real name Michael Prendergast, was part of the original line-up, he left the group in 1985 to pursue a solo career and received an MBE for services to music in 2020. He took the lead vocals on a number of their big hits. The current members of The Searchers are: John McNally – lead guitar, backing vocals (1959–present) Frank Allen – bass, backing and lead vocals (1964–present) Spencer James – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar synthesizer (1985–present) Richie Burns – drums, backing vocals (2023–present) The Final Farewell Tour runs from June 14 and will end with the band playing the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on June 27. The Scouse artists join a line-up of other performers from Liverpool playing at Glastonbury this year. Liverpool DJ Lauren Lo Sung played The Glade yesterday, June 26, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Lauren's parents gifted her her first set of decks at 11. Three years later, the Scouse musician was sneaking into local clubs with her older sister, who played a pivotal role in introducing Lauren to dance music. Also taking to the stage yesterday was Walton-based band The Cheap Thrills. Their performance attracted hundreds of people from Liverpool who packed out the surrounding area of the stage to show their support. Fans of the local band praised their incredible achievement. One fan posted on social media: "Absolute madness reading something like this being from Walton Vale as well, good luck guys", to which The Cheap Thrills replied "L9 forever". They played the Bread and Roses. This weekend will be a huge moment for The Sway, who have started headlining their own shows after being the support acts the likes of Jamie Webster and Red Rum Club. Both Jamie and Red Rum Club are on the Glastonbury bill. Jamie will perform at Left Field on Sunday as part of a 'radical round up' alongside musical icon Billy Bragg. It's not Jamie's first time at the festival, having performed to huge crowds in the past. The Liverpool singer-songwriter performed on the Other Stage last year.
Telegraph
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Britain's longest-running pop group announce final concert after 70 years
For nearly 70 years, The Searchers have toured the country's clubs, pubs and music festivals, making them the longest-running band in British pop history. But now the Merseybeat band have announced their retirement, culminating with a final gig at Glastonbury – their first appearance at the festival – in June. The Liverpool group, formed by Mike Pender and John McNally in 1957, have been playing with line-up changes continuously for 68 years ever since becoming established as contemporaries of The Beatles. Known as the 'longest-running band in pop history', The Searchers had the first of three UK No 1 hits in 1963 with their version of The Drifters' hit Sweets For My Sweet. Ahead of their final shows, McNally said: 'A Glastonbury debut at 83, can anyone top that? I don't think life gets any better, does it? 'There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we'll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can't wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.' 'One final blast' Frank Allen, the bassist and singer who joined the group in 1964, said: 'I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us – until now. 'The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. 'What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can't wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast.' The Searchers also topped the UK charts twice in 1964 with Needles And Pins and Don't Throw Your Love Away. Other hits have included When You Walk In The Room, Goodbye My Love and Sugar And Spice. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the band was signed to Sire Records, which also represented Talking Heads, The Cure, Madonna and the Ramones. The group has sold more than 50 million records and performed around the world while drawing praise from artists such as The Byrds, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. Their website says: 'You might recall that last year, after having done three 'final' tours we stated that we were at last retiring – unless something that we simply could not say no to was offered. 'And of course we certainly could not say no to this one. The Searchers end their career at Glastonbury. What a great way to go out. And I really do think this will be the last hurrah.' However, it adds that they would consider re-forming if King Charles 'asks us to do another Royal Variety Show'. The Final Farewell Tour runs from June 14 and will end with the band playing the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on June 27.
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Searchers to end 68-year stint at Glastonbury
The Searchers will end nearly 70 years of touring with their debut at the Glastonbury Merseybeats band, formed by Mike Pender and John McNally, have performed with different line-ups since its formation in as the "longest-running band in pop history", the Liverpool band had three UK number ones, including with their version of The Drifters' hit Sweets For My Searchers' Final Farewell Tour will conclude at Glastonbury on 27 June, which the band said will be its "last ever show". McNally said: "A Glastonbury debut at 83, can anyone top that? I don't think life gets any better, does it?"There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we'll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can't wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell." Bassist and singer Frank Allen, who joined the group in 1964, said: "I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us - until now."The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all."What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can't wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast."The Searchers' hits also include Sugar And Spice, Needles And Pins and Don't Throw Your Love have sold more than 50 million records and performed worldwide, while drawing praise from artists such as Bruce band's Final Farewell Tour runs from 14 June and will end with a performance on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on 27 June. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
