Mike Pender's Searcher on PBS

Rick_Doeschler · Post by **Rick_Doeschler** » Thu Nov 30, 2000 6:26 am

I am new to this board and wow it is wonderful having a place to read, learn more about and discuss my all time favorite band. I hope to be a part of the discussions going forward.

I found out on the Vox discussion board that there will be a British Invasion show that will air in the States on PBS. My local listing in Jacksonville, Florida say's it will show December 6th and again December the 10th.Here is the post:
http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/fall/britishinvasion.html.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Nov 30, 2000 9:45 am

Rick: Thank you so much for this information. I really appreciate you taking the time to let all know. I am sure that this will generate much discussion.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Mar 13, 2001 10:29 am

I have yet to see this taped performance of MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS. Those people who have contacted me to discus it, however, put Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders as the best performer and Eric Burdon as the greatest disappointment, with Mike somewhere in between. If you have seen this performance please post your comments.

jimmore · Post by **jimmore** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 12:47 am

I did see the PBS special and I agree wholeheartedly...Wayne Fontana WAS a great surprise. Eric Burdon apparently no longer sings.
He scream/talks the vocal. Maybe it was an off night but it was annoying and disappointing. He will still always be one of the greatest. Peter Noone is ageless.He still sounds..and looks.....great. Gerry and whoever the Pacemakers are these days were OK. He's an old reliable and will always put on a good show. I did enjoy Mike and his Searchers. After The Beatles The Searchers were ALWAYS my favorites and having never seen Mike's group I was quite curious. His voice has lost some of it's sweet quality ( the
guy has to be close to 60!) but his 12 string work was right on and the drummer did some nice Chris Curtis harmony on Needles and Pins. Mike still cuts a dashing figure. Oh...and Freddie Garrity still prances around like a human cartoon and still makes me smile and think of a time less tedious and troubled.

S.J._Dibai · Post by **S.J._Dibai** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 7:42 am

I saw that special as well. Wayne Fontana was very good, a little country, though. The Foundations were quite enjoyable. Peter Noone was a knockout. Go see him in person and you won't regret it. Gerry and the Pacemakers were great, except on "Ferry Cross The Mersey." Eric Burdon was hopelessly stoned, and his "New Animals" lagged behind him pathetically. Mike Pender's Searchers? "Love Potion No. 9" wasn't bad. "Needles and Pins" was bit disappointing. He seemed to be chewing gum while he was singing, and I don't know about Mike, but I know that affects the quality of my voice when I sing. He looked great, however, and I was impressed that he could still sing those really high notes in his natural voice. It's best that we don't talk about the other acts on this special!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 2:42 pm

It looks as if there will be an encore performance of a number of these groups this summer in East Providence, Rhode Island.