Rebel With A Cause:

Tony Jackson was asked to comment on his favourite Searchers' song and his first response was "Of course, it would be "Sweets For My Sweet." After more thought he added "Goodbye My Love" which he thought was great "even though I did not sing on it." He also added "Needles and Pins to his list of favourites. He remarked that Mike Pender had done an excellent job on his ballad version of "Needles and Pins" which was recorded by MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS. In spite of his decision not to become a member of the group, Tony Jackson did perform on stage with Mike Pender on several occasions in 1992 and 1995. On September 9, 1995, Jackson took the stage with MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS in Birmingham joining them for "Sweets For My Sweet", "Sugar and Spice", "Farmer John" and "Needles and Pins." This was a thrill for many fans both old and new. True to his "Rebel with a cause" philosophy of life, he refused to wear a MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS' tee shirt.

While nearly four decades have passed since Tony was a Searcher, it is evident that he is most proud and of his accomplishments. He has made an important contribution to the British Invasion and remains to this day a "Rock and Roller." For those who have not been aware of Tony Jackson's contibution comments made by Tommy Roe are most illustrative. In his description of Tony, Roe wrote "He was the Coolest guy on earth to me and probably still is. I wanted to be just like him! Keith Richards take note. What a nice voice. A mentor indeed." (Roe, 2002)