Why the Searchers "failed" in America

[S.J._Dibai]

Besides, what do most Americans know by The Searchers? "Needles and Pins" and "Love Potion No. 9." Well-remembered hits, but not enough to stir up the excitement needed for The Searchers to tour here extensively. When Mike Pender's Searchers did those two songs at the Foxwoods for the Public Television Special, the audience seemed to be quite pleased. Just as long as someone with that "Searchers" name is singing those two songs, most Americans will be satisfied. If Tony Jackson went on tour singing those songs, causal listeners would be pleased as long as the "Searchers" association was there. It wouldn't even matter that TJ didn't sing on "Needles." It takes more dedicated Searchers fans to differentiate between The Searchers and Mike Pender's Searchers, to care who sang and played on what record, and to want to hear more than those two smash hits.

Basically, artists tour where they're most appreciated. Look at Gene Pitney: he's an American, but he performs mostly in the UK and Australia these days, because they appreciate him more there than we do here. He rarely performs in the US, and his fan club conventions are held in England. He recently did a show at the Foxwoods, which will be on Public Television as a fund-raiser special, like the British Invasion concert. But it's not likely that these folks will do anything more than that for the US, no matter how much we'd like them to. Sadly, the appreciation level here is just not high enough.

[jjr]

The problem for the Searchers, i.e John, Frank, Spencer and Eddie is that because they aren't well known, someone else, Mike, Tony,whoever may be the Searchers in the public mind, even though they're not. What's at stake? Casinos, Atlantic City, Vegas, places that can anchor a tour and allow the Searchers to make some pretty good coin for a lot less running around.

[admin]

John: Yes I think you are right in that the members of The Searchers were not household names as the Beatles and other British groups were. It cannot be forgotten that Mike Pender had more hits as a lead singer than any of The Searchers past or present. For this reason, when he sings the hit tunes that he recorded such as Needles and Pins, Love Potion No. 9 and Someday We're Gonna Love Again they sound very close to the original versions. So as far as the public is concerned, they are hearing the original and so I expect many may feel that the group is The Searchers rather than MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS.

[Mark_Farrier]

Peter, I always read your comments with interest as you are normally right on the money. On the subject of who sang on which record and whether or not it sounds like the original it shouldn't be forgotten that when a band plays live and this includes the Searchers they normally speed the song up to give it more power and therefore it isn't as close to the original as maybe we remember. I have just seen two Searcher concerts in Sydney where the Searchers have slowed Needles back to close to the record. They were able to do this because Eddie has added additional harmonies which has given the song a live boost.
And still on the point of live performances and records, for me what the Searchers offer is a great live show with a good range of hits to choose from, so who sang on the records doesn't really matter. The band seems to be playing better than ever, another 5 years perhaps .. at least.

[admin]

Mark: I have heard your comments echoed by many fans of The Searchers. I am particularly interested in your review of their performances in Sydney. Eddie has, by all reports, added a another dimension to the group with his vocals. I concur completely that the bottom line is the extent to which the show is well done, live. My point was that most of the big hits of the Searchers were sung by Mike Pender and as such his voice is more familiar to those who first heard the group in the early to mid 1960s. In that sense I meant that his voice and consequently perhaps MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS may be seen as more closely approximating the original sound. It was not my intent to take anything away from Frank, Spencer, John and Eddie.
They are a great group. Thanks for underscoring this aspect which I was remiss in mentioning. As an aside, should you have any photos of The Searchers' performing in Australia, I would like to post them on "Needles and Pins."