Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Have The Searchers blown the opportunity to have a commercially released DVD ? I believe so. " Reelin in the Years " the company that has released the DVD set with Dusty Springfield, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Herman's Hermits and the Faces, also contacted the Searcher's organisation and were sent packing with legal threats if they even mentioned the name The Searchers in their compilations. I have an email fron David Peck from this production company who wore the brunt of these threats and he now swears the Searchers don't exist as far as his British Invasion series goes. He personally edits their name out whenever it is mentioned by the artists he is interviewing for these productions.There is always two sides to every story and I would love to hear the other side as this was the chance all us fans have been waiting for to finally have an extremely professional DVD of the Searchers in their heyday. If you have seen any of the discs from this series you will know what I mean. My thoughts are that the Searchers were paid for their performances on these particular TV shows in the sixties and that the property belongs to others, they just needed to agree to have their images used in these discs. This was an opportunity to finally receive the recognition they deserve for their contribution to the British Invasion era and plus it would have regenerated a lot more interest in them from people who had possibly forgotten about them. That would equate to more bums on seats at their concerts. What a missed opportunity.

seems strange considering the amount of videps on You tube that I personally know they are not bothered about.

Hi Roy,
This all happened back in 2008 when this company were first looking for artists to be part of this series of dvd's, and the Searchers were on his list for series 1 of this collection.
I believe that John and Frank only became aware of there rejecting the offer last month when I sent them a copy of my email from " Reelin' in the Years" president David Peck.

I am, personally, furious, that our Searchers were not include in the first series of British Invasion DVD's. Is there anybody else who would like to see the Searchers get the recognition they so richly deserve?

When the first series was put together, somebody representing The Searchers threatened legal action if the Searchers were mentioned in the series. Now the President of Reelingintheyears.com is gun-shy to pursue them. Is there anybody here who can bring the Searchers together with Reelingintheyears.com people?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Cheri

How many members are connected with this forum ? If we all contacted Reelin' in the Years by email, maybe David Peck would be a bit forgiving and approach John or Frank directly. In my contact with him I have found him to be a very polite gentleman who was happy to listen, and he always replied to my emails. No Searchers mentioned in the British Invasion era leaves a very big hole. Without any doubt they were one of the top bands of that era, a fact acknowledged by David himself, as he did want them in his first series.
So come on Searcher's fans, lets do it, send as many requests as we can. [email protected]

I agree with Mike Brady -- if we all contact David Peck, maybe our group effort will get the ball rolling in the right direction. A British Invasion DVD Series without the Searchers is a travesty!

None of us can do as much as ALL OF US!! Please help!

Write to Mr. Peck and ask him to please contact Frank Allen directly. Frank is the front man -- and a very nice guy, besides!! I think he and Mr. Peck would be able to make it happen. Again, here's the email address..... [email protected]

Mr. Peck has already been in touch with Allan Clarke (Hollies), as they are to be included. We want The Searchers to be included!

Thank you for your efforts!!

Cheri

I can say with good authority let sleeping dogs lie as they say.

Frank Allen and John McNally are aware of the situation and have no desire for their own reasons to pursue this.

My remark below may have seemed harsh it appears, which was not my intention.

Suffice to say it is clear Frank Allen and John McNally have no desire to pursue the matter and I merely wish to ensure we respect that decision.

It is disappointing, but I will certainly respect their wishes.

John and Frank can of course chose not to cooperate. But are they really in a potition to stop such a project? I'm sure Paul hasn't sanctioned all the less than semiofficial Beatles DVDs that can be bought. There are Byrds DVDs out without McGuinn cooperating, and Creedence ditto without Fogerty input.
Me for one would have loved the essential Searchers historical clips out on DVD. I can't really see why the present frontmen should be against it. And shouldn't Mike Pender have a say on the subject?

The individual who is behind the DVD's was threatened legally by Frank and John's representative. Thus he will not take such a risk. Mike Pender is fine with the project, didn't get a vote. Chris Curtis and Tony Jackson, of course get no vote as they're deceased. It's very sad and disturbing that Frank and John have spoken for all members of the band.

Cheri

chriscurtisfan wrote:The individual who is behind the DVD's was threatened legally by Frank and John's representative. Thus he will not take such a risk. Mike Pender is fine with the project, didn't get a vote. Chris Curtis and Tony Jackson, of course get no vote as they're deceased. It's very sad and disturbing that Frank and John have spoken for all members of the band.

Cheri

Well they do own the name Cheri so they do have certain rights in regard to the marketing of the name through something like this. Hey I'd love to see it too but obviously there is some sort of disconnect large enough to kill this thing. As for Mike getting a vote, if things hadn't gone so badly twenty-five years ago when he left The Serachers, perhaps he'd have that vote or at least some influence. I do truly wonder about Frank and John's reasons though. My first thought was "it's gotta be financial" but that's just idle speculation.

Whatever the reason, it's none of my business. And it's too late to benefit Chris; so I'll keep his memory alive on my Youtube channel.

There are still quite a few DVD's with clips of Searchers and you can make your own compilation from You Tube.

Not 100% clear if the guy wanted to do a DVD of just Searchers clips or just include them in general.

You're absolutely right, Roy! And what treasures they all are! Thanks for your latest video of Chris doing Aggravation. the audio quality is superior than to any previous posts. Lots of great pix on it! Thank you for sharing your work!