Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The Favourite Searchers' Hit Poll has been added to the "Needles and Pins" Searchers' Information Page.

As a first Song poll the available selections are those recordings that charted.

As of today responses made to the hit poll still have Mike Pender as the favourite Searcher. Some long time Searchers' fans consider that he is, all things considered, "the voice of the Searchers." Your opinions on this matter are invited. While there have been many changes over the years, I am inclined to agree.

"Favorite Searcher"- That's tricky. I think on Michael Denger's site, he asks for "favorite Searchers singer". My vote there goes for Mike Pender, without much doubt.
But "favorite Searcher"- MP no way in my opinion. His maneuvers and motives when leaving the band is still a mystery. I still haven't seen an in depth comment from him on that issue. Still harder to understand, concerning his continuing career with his pseudo-Searchers. Although biased, McNally´s interview with Michael Ober doesn't leave much sympathy for Mike (Pender)and his action and attitude.
-So I don't think he deserves the "favorite Searcher" label. But- the poll pictures a close race, with votes shared quite equally between the 5 obviously strongest candidates (only Curtis slowing from the leading field).
This is very easy to manipulate, too, and different fractions have obvious motives to vote so or so.

Einar

Einar: I can see your excellent points here and they have lead to my reconsidering my post. When I consider "favourite" I have always had the tendency, and perhaps a short-sighed and too narrow one, to consider the sound and performance factors rather than the politicial and behind the scenes events. Mike Pender's departure was a shocker and the only views that I have read have come from those other than Mike. I would agree, without knowing all the factors that contributed to Mike Pender's departure, it seems to have been a move that was insensitive and did not consider the impact on The Searchers as a group. I hope that we get Pender's detailed explanation one day. Having said all this, it is Pender's voice that most fans heard as lead during the mid sixties and this has been the "classic" Searchers sound from my perspective. Chris Curtis also added terrific harmonies that made Pender sound even better. Polls allow for discussion and, as the world is far from perfect, I cannot argue with your view regrding their manipulation.

FRANK is now the people's favorite Searcher!! (Watch poll). Eagerly awaiting Mike's next move!

Einar (McNally man)

John McNally, should he be so inclined, is going to be able to write quite a book when he decides to stop performing. I am wondering about a suitable title. Perhaps "The Last Of The Searchers." All kidding aside, he has been at his post since the very beginning, as solid as his terrific rhythim playing.

Roy: It would seem that there are still some TJ fans out there. According to the poll on "Needles and Pins" Jackson is third in popularity behind Pender and Allen, 40 years later!

In looking at the favourite song poll today it is clear that "When You Walk In The Room" is on top. I am wondering if this is so because it was the last Searchers' hit. For me, the 12 string Rickenbacker guitar is a standout.