Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The Beatles, being the model of success against which all other bands in Liverpool were measured, seemed to have influenced the Searchers in a number of ways. Some of these influences may have been the manner of their dress in more formal suits, the tight harmonies, Jackson's Hofner violin bass, and Pender's Rickenbacker 12 string.

I am wondering, however, if the Beatles took any pages from The Searchers' book. Lennon once claimed that The Searchers was his favourite Liverpool band. Was this a genuine claim? So what was the influence of the Searchers on The Beatles, if any?

I don't think there was any influence here. I think like all people the Beatles had their favourites too and Johns just happened to be the Searchers. While the Searchers sound was Mersey it was definately different from the Beatles sound for the most part and perhaps that is what John liked about them they picked songs that were different and put their own interpretation on them. A lot of groups at that time just made sure their sound was "Mersey"

Pam: While at first look one might come to the conclusion that The Beatles did not learn from The Searchers, your point "While the Searchers sound was Mersey it was definately different from the Beatles sound" is a good one and merits further discussion in my view.

We can be reasonably sure that The Beatles watched The Searchers closely, as Lennon and McCartney were highly competitive. When someone else was at the top of the chart you can bet the Fab Four noticed. The Searchers accomplished this!



I suspect that The Beatles learned that they needed to keep the hits flowing or they would be passed by, and they certainly were prolific in their song writing for this reason. You couldn't help but notice the jangly guitar of The Searchers and this surely did not go unnoticed either. This jangly sound produced by two six sting guitars may have given The Beatles ideas for recording with the Rickenbacker 12 string guitar.

Lest these claims seem hollow, it will also be remembered that John McNally had his Hofner Model Club 60 six string guitar modified by Adrian Barber in Hamburg while The Searchers were at The Star Club. The Beatles were at the Star Club during the same period at one point. The modification to the Hofner wiring lead to a very trebly sound that would become the hallmark of John McNally's rhythm. It must also be noted that Lennon made modifications to the wiring of his 1958 Rickenbacker Capri, at about the same time, which resulted in a more treble sound as well. This may have been more than coincidental and a discussion I would like to have with John McNally if given the opportunity.


While on the subject of The Searchers overtaking The Beatles, the facts do not bear this out. That The Searchers were a musical force to be reckoned with was particularly evident during the early days of February 1964 when their release of "Needles and Pins." Folklore has it that this tune displaced The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" from the number one position in the UK. An image claiming this success is shown above.

These claims are inaccurate, however, as according to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" climbed to number 1 on December 12, 1963 and was displaced by the Dave Clark Five's "Glad All Over" on 16 January 1964. The Searchers' "Needles and Pins" burst DC5's bubble on 30 January 1964 as it took over first place. The Searchers soon thereafter felt the sting of being moved out of the top UK chart postion as on 20 February 1964 the Bachelors' "Diane" became number one.

In summary, I think it reasonable to conclude that The Beatles did learn a number of things about their competition in genral and from The Searchers in particular. While highly speculative, I do not think these points are unreasonable.

And all those songs were big hits in the States in early and mid 64, what a great time to be 11.
I haven't heard "Diane" for years and years. I used to love that song.

Lennon liked The Searchers because (he said) they "sounded very American". Lennon said that in an interview for 'Melody Maker' or 'Record Mirror' (I have actually read it, but can´t remember which one was) in 1963/early 1964. It seems that Lennon believed that all Mersey bands were after an "American Sound", but only The Searchers did well enough to get near that sound. As for the Rickenbacker 12 string, George Harrison was into 12 string acoustic guitars as early as 1963. He was impressed by the sound when he heard The Springfields´guitarist play one.