Why the Searchers "failed" in America

[jjr]

I'm not saying that Curtis' dominance hurt the Searchers initially, but putting too many eggs in one basket did. Ths Stones' analogy is illustrative. The constant in that band is Jagger/ Richards. They've lost Jones, Wyman, and Taylor, but the source of direction (after they elbowed Jones out), and the front man, hasn't changed since the 60's.

What I am asking is did the loss of the man who did all the things Curtis did, hurt them in the long run, and contribute to their failure.

[admin]

Did the loss of Chris Curtis hurt the Searchers in "the long run?" John, I believe that the loss of Curtis was a serious problem for The Searchers and something that the group never really bounced back from. Curtis was a difficult man to work and tour with, however, his originality was an importat factor in their success. Other artists in America at the time considered that the absence of material was their downfall. Curtis, I would argue, was this source of material from the beginning. Chris Hilman of The Byrds has said Quote:"I give them credit. We brought in a bit from them. What maybe derailed (The Searchers) was material."

[jjr]

Peter,

My questions are these: Did the rest of the band defer to Chris to too great a degree early on, and by doing so, fail to put THEIR stamp on the Searchers. By letting Curtis select the music, and act as sole writer, did they fail to develop as writers earlier than they did, and do so when it might have helped; and did they lose the flexibility you see on the early recordings as to style and selection.

For those of you grassy knoll folks, did Chris discourage writing by other members to retain control of the band?

And again, wouldn't you agree that when Chris pulled the pin, it was THE blow that they never recovered from?

[alancheshire]

I don't think that Chris Curtis's departure affected the decline of the Searchers, which had already begun. In my opinion, the downward spiral began with "When I Get Home" which was far too light weight for the time. It is necessary to compare their singles with what else was current and the group had already lost touch with what was selling. The record buying public were already tiring of the band, as shown by the comparatively low sales of the last Pye LP.

[Jeff]

The other members of the Searchers did write while Chris was still in the group; "I'll Be Missing You" is an all group composition, "Till I Met You" was written by John, "He's Got No Love" is credited to "Curtis-Pender". There are many other examples of the remaining band members writing from the Searchers albums. So everyone was writing at the time.

I think Chris was probably the most prolific writer in the group and it certainly hurt when he left. But they had been writing before he left. Problem was, their contract with Pye only went for a year after Chris' departure, and they only had 4 singles without him and no further albums to show off the writing talents of the group.


Jeff

[mdenger]

To Jeff: Sometimes the credits are right, sometimes they credited a song to (almost) the whole group although only one member wrote it. They had two good writers: John & Chris. For example I'll Be Missing You (credited to all) was written and (demo) recorded long before Frank joined the group - and with Chris singing lead.

Michael

[admin]

I am thinking that for a group that had a fair number of hits in the US, it is interesting that The Searchers made a small number of visits in the early days compared to their contemporaries such as The Beatles. Perhaps this figured in their "failure" in the United States to some extent.

[jjr]

Peter,

Two things. First, you're probably right, but I think that goes back to the poor management. When they did come over, they didn't seem to get great gigs- either part of a package (Murray the K's Labor Day Show at the Brooklyn Fox in'64), or lesser venues. Second, while they did OK w/ top 40 charts, they only had two top 20- "Needles and Pins" and "Love Potion No.9" (their only top 10-#3). Clearly, by th time they got over here more, the impetus of the original British Invasion was waning, and the Merseyside British bands were not as unique or exotic seeming as they had been. A case of too little too late, or not striking while the iron was hot?

[admin]

John: I suppose you are right. Perhaps just a case of a too little too late, from the promotional point of view.

[RJHC]

_MATBE THE PUBLIC WASN'T AS TASTEFUL AS THEY

SHOULD HAVE BEEN .

[admin]

During recent years the Searchers have only visited the US for very brief appearances. At the same time, they tour the rest of the world and have recently just finished performances in New Zealand. I would have thought that there would be a more lucrative market in the US. It is a long way to the Australian region and back. Do their limited visits continue to reflect the lack of success in America?

[jjr]

I've been told (and Frank wrote a pretty extensive piece in the magazine, and maybe on the website), that they don't come more often because they don't get enough bookings to put together a tour. I tried to interest a local oldies station in 2000 to book them for their (sponsored)free outdoor summer concert series. The station was interested, but I got the impression the band/agent was going to sit back and wait for the offer. It doesn't work like that over here-you hustle for the work. Frank seems to think somebody here ought to be doing this stuff, but as far as I know, they haven't had an agent here in years. I do know that radio stations requested copies of their live CD through Dom Forte, and that they wouldn't give 'em- wanted to sell them. That doesn't work either.Right now the most publicity any Searcher's gotten is Mike. He did a gig at Foxwoods(a Casino) shortly after the Searchers did the Sun. BUT, he was part of a British Invasion weekend that was taped for our Public TV outlets to use when they periodically beg for money, so he's on TV periodically.

In sum, I think the Searchers are very comfortable running their operation the way they do, and won't put the effort in that is necessary to expand their appearances, and up their exposure over here.

[admin]

I agree, they seem to be comfortable with what they do and from the page listings they are as busy as they need to be. I suppose when you have been touring for 40 years you figure out what works best for you. I am surprised, however, that complimentary promotional material was not sent.

[royclough]

The Searchers success in record terms in America was on a par with say The Turtles record success here in England.

The reason for them coming over there, like New Zealand etc would have to be if it is financially lucrative enough, there is no incentive to promote records like in the Halycon days of the sixties, much as we avids would love for them to have another hit, the chances are, as you americans would say, slim to zero.

In the cold light of Day (Gene Pitney 64)the band are essentially a business now, not four fresh faced kids, who are in it for glory.

[admin]

Roy: Very nicely put. Time marches on and tomorrow is guaranteed for no one.