Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Gordon Waller recently told the Gene Pitney International Fan Club that before offering "I Go To Pieces" to Peter and Gordon, Del Shannon offered it to The Searchers, who turned it down. This doesn't exactly mesh with a previous story that Shannon told, but since he is no longer with us, we have only Waller's word to go by. Therefore, my question to the group is, did The Searchers do the right thing?

The Searchers have always be masters of harmony and "I Go To Pieces" would have been perfect for them in my view. In retrospect, and to answer your question, No! This would have been a block buster for them.

Why don't you ask Frank Allen? You can pose a question to him via The Searchers official website at

http://www.the-searchers.co.uk/searchnews.htm


Gary

A great idea Gary. I submitted the question to The Searchers Official Website and hope that Frank will be able to answer the question. The question that was submitted follows Quote: It has been mentioned by a fan that The Searchers' turned down the song "I Go To Pieces" that would eventually be a big hit for Peter and Gordon. Would Frank please comment on the reason why this song, offered and penned by Del Shannon, was not recorded and how feels about the decision in retrospect? Thanks.

Peter, you beat me to the punch! But all that really matters is that the question has been asked. Thanks Gary and Peter.

I just dragged out the P&G version and gave it a couple of good listens, and I'm inclined to agree with you, Peter. Not only would The Searchers' harmonies have been beautiful and dramatic on this one, but Mike's Rickenbacker would have made those 12-string riffs sparkle. I think the arrangement might have been simpler than P&G's--more like Del Shannon's version, a straight rock with light piano and string accompaniment, and perhaps the same soaring high notes that he did.

S.J. and All: Frank Allen indicated that he had "no recollection of 'I Go to Pieces' ever being offered let alone turned down, but that doesn`t mean it wasn`t the case." It was Frank's view that while it was a hit, it wasn't a particularly good song. There you have it.

Peter: Laughing out loud! I suppose when you compare it to "What Have They Done To The Rain," which must have been the record they had out when "Pieces" became a hit, it does pale in comparison. Thank you for the information.

Del Shannon offered the song before Frank Allen was in the group.

Del Shannon did not release I Go To Pieces as a single. t was on a album released in 65. P&G had a hit in USA with the song in June 65, not a hit in Britain.
Del toured Austrailia with P&G inlate 64, so I reckon the song was offered to them then. He clearly liked the song as it was redone on his 90album(His Last) produced by Jeff Lynne.
Considering what The Searchers were recording in late 64 /Early 65 it would not have even been considered.

I wish Del had offered the band a number called Lost In A Memory which was on his last album though, great track, check it out.

RoY: It seems only fitting that The Searchers consider doing this number for their live performances. It would be a great introduction to the song to relate that Del Shannon offered it to them first. Of course, Frank would have to remember the offer first. Perhaps John McNally recalls it. I think they would do a great job of it.

Peter

The song did not mean that much in Britain either by P & G or Del Shannon, although as I said earlier it was not a single here in Britain by Del Shannon. I could always ask John, at the forthcoming convention, as a question on your behalf as to if they wwere offered the number.

Two songs I know they were offered but declined were "Thing We Said Today" by The Beatles. This would be a good number to do today if the arrangement of the song by Dwight Yoakam was used.

Another they were offered first was "She Means Nothing To Me" went on to be a massive hit for Phil Everly and Cliff Richard here in England.

Roy: I would be grateful should you be able to ask this question. I would also like to know if John McNally has had any contact with Roger McGuinn of the Byrds who credits the riff in "Feel A Whole Lot Better" to the Searchers' "Needles and Pins." I would also like to know if Tony Jackson took the bass amplifier made by Adrian Barber into the Pye Studios for the Searchers' early recording sessions.