Madison Square Garden1972 & Westbury Fair 1986

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Sat Apr 28, 2001 8:16 pm

In the Summer of 1972, the Searchers (w/ Billy Adamson) played Madison Square Garden as part of a Richard Nader "1960's British Rock Invasion" Tour.They were the "Special Guest Stars". The Headliner was Herman's Hermits. The set consisted of:

"Sweets for My Sweet","Sandman" (America's song),"Love Is Everywhere", "Love Potion #9", "When You Walk in the Room", a medley of "You've Got a Friend/ "Sunday Morning Coming Down", "Southern Man", "Needles and Pins", "Vahevala"

As I recall, I was very impressed by the medley. I thought "Southern Man', while displaying great musicianship was way too long-15 minutes, and killed the impact of "Needles and Pins". Not enough of the songs that made them famous. (In an oldies concert here, that can kill you). The impression was also that John was playing more lead. I remember the solos on "Love Potion #9" and "Southern Man" in particular. Don't recall Mike w/ a Rick. Do recall they looked scruffy. Long hair all around, no matching clothes.

On October14, 1986, they were the guest stars- to Gerry and the pseudo-Pacemakers on another revival tour. This was the first time I saw Spencer. I had seen Mike the previous summer when they played a bar in Hampton Bays. This time cleaned up, the black suits (which I also saw in '85). Songs were:

"Needles and Pins", "Sweets..", "Don't Throw Your Love Away","Sugar and Spice", "When You Walk in the Room", "Love Potion #9", "Love's Melodies" (They did much more of the Sie stuff in '85), "The Rose" and "Whole Lotta Shakin'".

The song list for '72 is just about in order, but not the list for '86.Sorry this took so long, Peter.

P.S: Will have another re-releaseor two this week JOHN

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 29, 2001 12:47 am

Thanks John. This is a great bit of history. Were these venues packed?

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Sun Apr 29, 2001 1:58 am

Peter,

Yes, they were. The garden held 23,000, give or take. Westbury is a theater in the round, and holds 3,000 plus or minus. I've read that that tour gave Frank and John the idea for the "Silver 60s" Tours they do in England. The '86 tour over here was nationwide. The promoters went 1st class all the way- and they took a bath. Hasn't been a British tour like that since, to my knowledge. But I see Mike's playing in Rhode Island this summer w/ Pete Noone and Eric Burden, but I think it's a one shot show.

Paul_Dial · Post by **Paul_Dial** » Thu May 03, 2001 2:03 pm

I was there in the front row at the Searchers' 1986 appearance at Westbury Music Fair. Amazingly, the boys had remembered me from the year before when I went backstage at the Bitter End to have them autograph my copy of #4, (Billy nodded hi to me as they played). At their famous encore, "Whole Lotta Shakin'", Frank decided to have some fun with me (among others in the audience), and gave me the mike to sing the chorus, not realizing I really can sing. Frank was startled by my performance, and while most of the audience cheered me on, a number of them were a bit resentful---they thought I was an audience plant!!