Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Stewart McPherson has written a nice review of the Searchers' 2001 Tour in which they performed in Scotland. His article, And The Beat Goes On 2001 may be read by visiting Needles and Pins.

I have to say I do not entirely agree with Stewart's views relating to what he says were below standard performances from Billie Davis and PJ Proby.

I welcomed the change to what has been much of a sameness on recent tours The Sreachers have done, they have either gone out with Gerry or The Swinging Blue Jeans, nothing wrong with either I hasten to add, but I felt it was good to have different artists.

It would have been even better had Billy J Kramer not pulled out.

Billie Davis had a hard task, in fairness, she only really had one big hit, "Tell Him" as Stewart mentions, although a lot of people associate "Angel Of The Morning " with her, she did not have a hit with her version.

I though PJ was good, although I must admit I didn't actually think he would see the tour out.The photograph shows he hasn't kept up his membership to the local health club, but how many of us have!

At the first venue I saw him perfom on the tour, I agree with the sunglasses bit, although he was supposed to be doing an Elvis tribute, but at the first venue he did songs like Yesterday and World without love in this section, which made some think he had lost the plot. At the next venue he did make it clear that he was giving us his idea of how he thought Elvis would have done these songs.

Special praise to the "Roadies" Stewart mentions, they were The Frank Jay Band a local Liverpool band and I thought they did a fine job of backing Proby and Davis

Roy and Stewart: It would seem that the differences in your reviews stem from two main points. First, unlike The Searchers, not all musicians provide a consistent level of performance over their lifetime, especially those who have not maintained a level of "musical fitness". The Searchers have not let up in their live performances over the past 40 years, clearly a record in my view. Second, the reviews presented were taken from different points in the tour and not all performers can stand the rigors of touring as The Searchers have done. Here's to the 2002 tour!


Perhaps the most important part of your reviews for me is the tremendous support that all of the performers have from their UK fans. When you think that performers of today are able to capture the moments of the 1960s, this has to be a fine tribute to the magic of those years. Thank you both for your reviews. May we all raise our hands in the hope that the Searchers, Proby and Davis will live on in our hearts and memories for many years to come.

The bass player in that backing band is supposed to bear a striking resemblance to me, although I can't see it!

He was at the recent Searchers show at The Beck - their Christmas special where they played for just under three hours (with a 20 minute interval).

Gary: As you have made mention of the duration of this concert, how long are the Searchers' shows on average?

These days they tend to fall into two categories -
The package tours with two or three other acts, when they only have about 45 minutes on stage and the all evening shows where there is no support and they will play for two hours

Gary

Gary: Here is a photo of Frank Allen and P.J. Proby in Scotland. Is your celebrity look alike to the right of P. J. Proby from our vantage point as we look at them on stage? I think I can see the resemblance. Now where may I get a comparison photo.

No, he's not on stage at that point in the proceedings!

Gary