Best Piece of Drumming

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Tue Dec 19, 2000 7:06 pm

The Searchers are now on their fourth drummer (shades of Spinal Tap). Three: Chris Curtis, John Blount and Billy Adamson, have been recorded. Eddie Roth hasn't (yet). Which song do you feel has the best piece of drumming by any of the three, be it single , EP, or LP; intro, background or break? The first one to get my attention was, of course, the opening of "Needles and Pins", but take a listen to "Saints and Searchers", "Since You Broke My Heart", "Tricky Dicky", "Hungry for Love", Love's Melodies", "September Gurls", or any of those two albums.So what do YOU think?

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 6:45 am

My favorite Searchers track drumming wise is "Have You Ever Loved Somebody". The song is built around John Blunt's drum breaks. The drumming on this track always reminded me of the Small Faces drummer, Kenny Jones.

Jeff

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 7:53 am

For me, a very nice bit of drumming can be heard on a live version of See See Rider/Jenny Take A Ride that The Searchers performed on the BBC. The vocal and lead guitar work is also well done.

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 2:52 pm

Peter, I'm not sure of the date but I believe that "See See Rider" / "Jenny Take A Ride" features the drumming of John Blunt. I have to agree with Jeff, "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" has some energetic drumming. John Blunt's hero was Keith Moon on whom he based his drumming style, and (so I have been told) John was known to kick his drum kit around during The Searchers' live set.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 3:07 pm

Thanks Tim. The track to which I am referring is from The Searchers Anniversary Collection (1962-1992) and I can't tell from the documentation when they performed on the BBC. It does sound like Tony Jackson's voice to me. If you can come up with the date I would be grateful. While I concur that Johnny seems to beat the heck out of his drums, I have enjoyed Chris Curtis' different percussion techniques in the early days.

alancheshire · Post by **alancheshire** » Mon Dec 25, 2000 2:17 am

John - sorry to have to correct you, but Eddie Rothe HAS been recorded. He appears with the Searchers on the 'Concert for Colin' live CD. If anyone wants any more information on this CD let me know. I think it is still available but possibly only from the management company, Hal Carter Associates.

By the way, a video of the concert is also available - and in both the US and Worldwide formats.

RJHC · Post by **RJHC** » Tue Dec 26, 2000 6:38 pm

_HOW CAN I GET MY GREEDY HANDS ON IT ?

alancheshire · Post by **alancheshire** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 2:35 pm

The CD and/or Video (both formats) can be ordered at the Pilar Online Store
By the way, the concert also includes an excellent spot by the Swinging Blue Jeans.

dbailey62 · Post by **dbailey62** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 10:06 am

I'm also a fan of Blunt's drumming. I can't recall the BBC recording of See See Rider/Jenny Take a Ride but the Swedish live album (yes Peter I still owe you a copy) definitely features Blunt
and his energy is very welcome.

With no offence to Billy Adamson, I always thought it was sad that Blunt didn't work out. I think he could have kept the band more fresh during their tough period of the late 60's, early 70's.

db

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Mar 13, 2001 11:12 am

I am wondering why there is so little information with regard to the Searchers' drummers, past and present. Each of them have contributed significantly to the group and yet they seem to fade away into the background. How can we get more information about, Curtis, Blunt, Adamson and Rothe?

Erwin_Zerbe · Post by **Erwin_Zerbe** » Thu May 24, 2001 12:33 am

Please correct me if I'm wrong someone.

When Chris Curtis left after "Take me for what I'm worth" John Blunt came in and played on:

"Take it or leave it"
"Have you ever loved somebody"
"Popcorn Double Feature"
"Western Union"
"Second Hand Dealer'
"Umbrella Man"

or did Billy Adamson play on the last couple. Just for the record I would like to know.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Fri May 25, 2001 8:09 am

Alan and John are both correct in a way, I believe the point John is making about Eddie Roth not having been recorded, is in the context of a Studio recorded commercial release. He is on the Concert for Colin Cd and also on LIVE 11.

On the subject of drumming, Love's Melody has a great drum intro, although Have you ever etc is also great.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Fri May 25, 2001 10:36 am

'Officialy' you are correct Erwin (although I have some doubts about "Take It Or Leave It"). Billy did not join until December 1969 and therefore was not released on vinyl as a Searcher until the RCA recordings. The drumming on "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" remains one of my favourite moments of Searchers' drumming.

mdenger · Post by **mdenger** » Tue May 29, 2001 8:40 pm

The Searchers didn´t play on Umbrella Man, they only added the vocals, so -and this goes for Liberty songs - Blunt doesn`t play drums.
Billy Adamson joined the Searchers earlier than December 1969 as I`ve seen him in July 1969 in an American Soldiers Club. I remember his glasses and - most of all - his hair (then!).

Michael

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed May 30, 2001 7:04 am

Michael: I have never understood how it could be to The Searchers' benefit to have someone else play while they do the vocals only. Do you know anymore about this arrangement.