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BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Searchers to end touring after 68 years
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 Away. They have sold more than 50 million records and performed worldwide, while drawing praise from artists such as Bruce Springsteen. The band's Final Farewell Tour runs from 14 June and will end with a performance on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on 27 June.
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.
The Guardian
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Searchers bring their musical quest to an end after 68 years
They are the longest-running band in pop history, selling tens of millions of records and filling venues worldwide in a 68-year career. But now the Searchers have decided to take their final bow. The group, who were contemporaries of the Beatles during 'the British invasion' will play their last ever show at this year's Glastonbury festival, after a 'final farewell tour' of Britain. The band's guitarist John McNally, 83, and bassist and singer Frank Allen, 81, told the Guardian they have decided to retire, partly because age is catching up with them, but also because the increased traffic on the roads now makes it so hard to travel from one gig to another. Allen, who joined the Searchers in 1964, said: 'Age slows you down a bit. We did between 180 and 200 shows a year. But driving up and down the motorways is the hard part because the traffic is so much heavier than it ever was … There was never a problem with recovering from a show because that's the thing that brings you to life. We were always fit to do a show. It's just the driving up and down motorways.' McNally, who formed the band when he was 16 in 1957, said: 'The traffic is now an absolute nightmare.' The Merseybeat band found fame playing in the clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg. Their debut No 1 hit Sweets for My Sweet in 1963 was followed by the chart-toppers Needles and Pins and Don't Throw Your Love Away, establishing them as a global act by the mid-1960s. But they have never played Glastonbury until now. 'No one's asked us,' Allen said. 'The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career.' McNally added: 'A Glastonbury debut at 83! Can anyone top that? … We can't wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.' Glastonbury has long championed ageing stars, including Paul McCartney, who headlined in 2022 at the age of 80. Those playing this year include Rod Stewart, 80, and Neil Young, 79. McNally – the son of a Liverpool docker and a barmaid – said some of the veterans keep on playing because there is now money to be made. The Searchers were among many musicians who did not earn much in the past: 'In the 1960s, no one had a rulebook to follow, no person to look after them. We just went through the motions and got ripped off.' He added: 'You think: hang on, where's the money going? We did our first tour of America in 1964 and, when we got back, it was like: 'tuppence for you and tuppence for you and tuppence for you …'. What? We were paying for everything. We didn't make any money on that tour.' Sign up to Sleeve Notes Get music news, bold reviews and unexpected extras. Every genre, every era, every week after newsletter promotion Asked whether it was agents, managers and record producers who ripped them off, he said: 'Yes, they know all the ins and outs … we were just stupid musicians, so naive.' Allen spoke of the buzz of being on stage: 'There's something special about it that keeps you young. It's just very addictive. People are cheering and telling you you're wonderful.' The Searchers have made previous attempts to retire, only to be coaxed back by their fans, who were crying on the last tour. In 2023, their 43-date tour sold out. So too their 2024 tour. The Searchers' Final Farewell tour runs from 14 to 27 June. The band will appear on the Acoustic Stage at the Glastonbury festival on 27 June
