Wanting to remain in the music business Tony embarked on a new career with Tony Jackson and the Vibrations. Additional information with regard to this group and the Tony Jackson group can been obtained by visiting "On The Road With Black Jake" and "The History of Tony Jackson" on the Needles and Pins Searchers' Information Page. Tony was proud of his recording accomplishments following The Searchers and made particular mention of the recoding "Just Like Me." He felt that "the Indian solo on Just Like Me was the first of its kind." When complimenting him on his version of "Stage Door" he added, "Yeah, it was alright wasn't it?"
For a brief period in 1986, after Mike Pender left The Searchers, Tony Jackson was approached to play bass in MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS. He rehearsed with the group and appeared in a promotional photo. A number of engagements were lined up in Germany and it seemed as if he was going to be reunited with Mike Pender after more than 20 years. He recalls approaching Mike, "OK let's talk wages then." To his surprise, he found out that he was to be paid as a member of the band and "not a partner." In short, "Mike wanted to pay me the same as the drummer." This arrangement was completely unacceptable to Tony and this ended his very short career with MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS before it began.
July 21, 2002
