Who Really Thought of The Searchers' Name?
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2001 7:27 am
Recent information obtained from Mike Pender in the summer of 2000 and from John McNally in the fall of 2000 sheds light on how the Searchers got their name. Unfortunately the stories seem to differ.
Mike Pender writes on August 2000 Quote:"I have now seen on more than one occasion references to the history of The Searchers and in particular to whom founded the Band. The Band was founded by myself and John McNally. In 1957 John and I went to see the movie "The Searchers" starring John Wayne. I was an ardent Western Fan and so I dragged John along with me to see it. I take the credit for choosing the name 'The Searchers' and for co-founding the Band in its original form."
Ray Norris conducted an excellent interview with John McNally posted on the Official Searchers' Website in October 2000. Based on information obtained from John McNally, Mr. Norris writes Quote:"The fact that it was lifted directly from the title of the classic John Ford film and starring John Wayne is well documented. But perhaps fewer people know that the suggestion came from a short-term singer with the group in
those pre-Sandon days who went by the illustrious name of Big Ron. Big Ron`s surname is lost in the mists of memory and time and he was last encountered in Glasgow in the late seventies."
So what do you think? Did Big Ron offer the suggestion and perhaps then Mike Pender agreed or did Mike come up with the idea in the first place? Perhaps Mike or John will post here and clarify the apparent discrepancy.
Mike Pender writes on August 2000 Quote:"I have now seen on more than one occasion references to the history of The Searchers and in particular to whom founded the Band. The Band was founded by myself and John McNally. In 1957 John and I went to see the movie "The Searchers" starring John Wayne. I was an ardent Western Fan and so I dragged John along with me to see it. I take the credit for choosing the name 'The Searchers' and for co-founding the Band in its original form."
Ray Norris conducted an excellent interview with John McNally posted on the Official Searchers' Website in October 2000. Based on information obtained from John McNally, Mr. Norris writes Quote:"The fact that it was lifted directly from the title of the classic John Ford film and starring John Wayne is well documented. But perhaps fewer people know that the suggestion came from a short-term singer with the group in
those pre-Sandon days who went by the illustrious name of Big Ron. Big Ron`s surname is lost in the mists of memory and time and he was last encountered in Glasgow in the late seventies."
So what do you think? Did Big Ron offer the suggestion and perhaps then Mike Pender agreed or did Mike come up with the idea in the first place? Perhaps Mike or John will post here and clarify the apparent discrepancy.