Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The Searchers are releasing a DVD for the solid silver 60s tour.

Will it be available trhough an internet outlet, such as Amazon.com.?

John answer is probably not, John and Frank hired some company to shoot it and it will more than likely only be sold at gigs.

Essentially as far as I know it is their live show, however if you wanted one and signed let me know.

Any information on how to get hold on a copy is appreciated!

Einar

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Any info about where and when it was filmed?
No info on the Searchers web site about this, no surprises there really as they do not seem to bother selling the live CDs via it either. A missed opportunity I feel.

From Rob

It was filmed at Skegness Embassy Theatre and Pocklington Arts Centre. Actually though it was filmed without a audience though impression given it was filmed live, there are some audience shots but I understand that to get what they felt was a good copy it was better to be filmed separately and shots of audience and applause added.

There is no chat whatsoever but are some limited interviews with each band member and together.

I really enjoyed the dvd, BUT only considered it to be good. I can understand why they did not do the act in front of an audience, but it is for this reason, I don't rate the dvd any higher. It lacked atmosphere and I consider Franks live chat/interaction a vital part of the show. One number I really enjoyed was SEVEN NIGHTS TO ROCK. What is the background to this number and why do they perform it? I also note with interest that the dvd is produced by Andy Cairns, who I believe produced a previous film of a Flying Music tour and was a past member of The Pacemakers.

Andy Cairns was a Pacemaker at one time, quite a while actually. He did a video of the 30th anniversary tour 1993,which starred the Searchers, Gerry & The Pacemakers and Billy J Kramer, who was backed by a young band called the Coustiks.

It was narrated and sort of hosted by Frank Allen and was a documentary of sorts of the tour, it is excellent I have to say.

I am slightly disappointed with the new Searchers DVD and recently received a communication from Einar who made some salient points but as this was a private communication, I will not repeat it here.

As for Seven Nights To Rock Dave, John McNally was invited to a Bruce Springsteen UK concert by a member of Springsteen's band who was a Searchers fan, Steve Vai.

Springsteen performed the song on the night and John decided it would be right for them, but could only find the song by Moon Mullican, or some name like that, who recorded it originally, a lot slower and very C & W.

Someone who shall remain nameless sent John a bootleg of Springsteen's version, as I don't think Springsteen has recorded song and they worked the arrangement from that I understand.

I think it suits them perfectly.

As an aside back in late 80's a guy called Tim Jibson who was or still is some DJ on a local radio station in UK in Hull paid a lot of money to get a video produced of the band in Concert at Hull City Hall with intention of doing a proper commercial release, it was released but very hard to get hold, as I don't think he could get a distribution deal.
It was actually filmed live and did have a better atmosphere to it.

This is my first posting, as I would like to comment on the Searcher's DVD. I also feel it lacks a little in atmosphere, and you could pull the production apart with the audio and editing not being 100%. But I'm just so grateful to have something of 'good' quality to watch and listen to. I hope that if this is a financial success they may record a full concert. One can but hope.

Welcome Mike. Thanks for your comments. Which song did you like best on the DVD.

My favourites are numerous, but 'Somebody Told Me', 'The Rose' & 'Seven Nights To Rock' stand out to me as the best on the disc.
I would love to see the lesser hits on DVD, Bumble Bee, Farmer John etc. When they were in Australia in January they did a cover of Roy Orbisons' 'Running Scared' that was absolutely brilliant.

Glad you made it here Mike, as you said you would, Running Scared was part of their act in late 70's/early 80's. Not heard them do it with Spencer yet, I have their version with MP somewhere I'll see if I can find it.

I have their version with MP somewhere I'll see if I can find it.

That would be interesting to hear (never heard it) (& find out whether my personal doubts as far as the ability of Mike Pender to match the quality and - don't know how to put it better - show/reproduce/keep the emotion of the original is concerned are reasonable or not...)
Thanks in advance!

I considered THE COUSTICS to be a very good act, Roy. They backed BILLY J KRAMER, I remember on the tour and he seemed very happy and performed well when with them. As far as I know they are no longer together as a group which is a shame.