Tony Jackson 16.07.1940 - 18.08.2003

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 11:37 pm

Sad to report Tony Jackson passed away today at 4 minutes past Midnight GMT, my thanks to JoAnn Viera from BOSTON a lifelong fan of Tony's for informing myself.

Tony Jackson may have left the band in 64 but in my eyes he was a major factor in the band's initial success, I am just glad I got to meet him last October.

einar · Post by **einar** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 11:56 pm

Very sad news! My thoughts goes to those nearest to him. Only this weekend I have listened through the Searchers' "30th Anniversary collection", and again been inspired by especially the singers' performances on the earlier tracks. Needless to say, Tony was essential in this respect. The degradedation of his role in the group is still a mystery to me.

Einar

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 2:19 am

Sad news indeed. I had the good fortune to speak with Tony over the phone a while back and I was taken by his willingness to discuss any question I posed. His warmth shone through even though he was in poor health at that time. Roy, his energy, solid voice, booming bass and rough edge will never be forgotten. I agree completely that he was "a major factor in the band's success." Einar, the Tony Jackson and the Vibrations CD is a must for all Searchers' enthusiasts.

tim · Post by **tim** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 9:33 am

I was first in contact with Tony Jackson back in the mid-80s, not long after The Searchers Appreciation Society was formed. I kept in touch with him over the years and I saw him live a few times in the early 90s. One of these was in Guildford, on the same bill as Mike Penders Searchers. The highlight was a finale where he joined Mike Pender on stage to sing some of the early hits. He was always happy to speak to me and regale me with stories from his career. It's a sad day indeed. Hopefully his compilation CD will be made available again.

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:35 pm

Sorry to hear about Tony, although from what I've heard and read, he hasn't been in good health for a long time.If he has any family, and the Society has contact with them, please pass on my condolences.

One of the great what ifs of rock is what would have happened for the Searchers, musically and historically, if Tony had stayed.

edcal · Post by **edcal** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 4:11 pm

Sad and sorry to hear about Tony Jackson's passing. I too, would like to send my condolences and prayers to his loved ones. He was an original. Tony, may you stop searching. May you be at peace. God bless.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 1:34 am

Whilst dates stated above were based on info from various albums and articles, Tony it transpires was actully born in 38, which still only made him 65. He lived alone in a flat in Nottingham, he spoke to John McNally for the last time last week and may have spoken to Mike and possibly Chris. Whilst in no way is this a plug, one of the last photos of Tony is at the end of Searchers convention 2002 report on "Clough Links" within Peter's site.
I agree with Tim hopefully his long deleted CD encompassing all his solo recordings will be re-issued, there has been a number of contacts regarding TJ recordings which does tend to happen when an artist passes away.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 7:40 am

I am really hoping that Tony Jackson's CD will be released again with some comprehensive notes by Tim Viney to boot.

rick_doeschler · Post by **rick_doeschler** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 11:40 am

Very Very sad news about Tony. I was so hoping that one day they would all get together and let us hear what could only be. Very sad.

Peter, there is a post on Vox Talks about Tony's passing and one responder, Mike Gutheri, implies he has Tony's original Epi Revoli bass and would be willing to post pictures. Please check out, this could be vital for us Searchers historians.

Rick Doeschler

sneakers · Post by **sneakers** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:33 am

Aug 21, 1:30 PM EDT

Tony Jackson of the Searchers Dies at 63

LONDON (AP) -- Tony Jackson, bass player for The Searchers, a Liverpool band best known for the 1964 song "Needles and Pins," has died. He was 63.

Jackson died Monday in a hospital in Nottingham, central England, several newspapers and The Searchers' Web site reported. He had been ill for some time with ailments including arthritis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Jackson sang and played bass for The Searchers, a Liverpool band that briefly rivaled The Beatles for popularity in the early 1960s. "Needles and Pins" made the top 20 in the United States after it was released in 1964.

Like contemporaries including John Lennon and George Harrison, Jackson was inspired first by the uniquely British sound of "skiffle king" Lonnie Donegan, and then by Buddy Holly and other American rock imports.

The Searchers honed their skills in Liverpool's nightclubs and - like The Beatles - in the tough beer bars of Hamburg, Germany. After The Beatles' success drew attention to the Liverpool music scene, The Searchers were signed by Pye Records.

Jackson was lead singer on the band's first two British hits, "Sweets for My Sweet" and "Sugar and Spice," but played bass only on the enduring "Needles and Pins" and "Don't Throw Your Love Away."

In 1964 the band toured the United States, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Feeling sidelined, Jackson quit the group the same year. His follow-up band, Tony Jackson and the Vibrations, failed to score and he drifted out of the music business.

In later years he tried to set up a Searchers revival band, but the field was crowded, with two others already in existence.

He served time in jail in the 1990s after threatening a woman with an air pistol.

There was no immediate word on survivors or funeral details.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 7:27 am

The funeral will be held on Wednesday 27th August

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 1:20 pm

Tim,

Did Mike, John Chris and Frank show for the funeral? Any plans for a memorial show a la Brian Jones (On a smaller scale, of course). Did the Appreciation Society do anything?

tim · Post by **tim** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:32 am

Mike, John and Frank attended. Some members of the Appreciation Society also made it along. The Appreciation Society will be printing something in the forthcoming Autumn Newsletter and inviting donations to Tony's adopted charity.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 2:54 am

I have seen conflicting information over the years with regard to Tony Jackson's birthdate. While July 16, 1940 is given as his date of birth in the promotional information over the years, both the Liverpool Echo on August 19, 2003 and the Daily Mail on August 19, 2003 cite his age as 65 years at the time of his death. I am guessing that his real birthdate is July 16, 1938.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 6:21 am

Yes Peter that is correct as far as I am told.