~ The Searchers' John McNally ~

Peter McCormack's question: If an article has not yet been written on John McNally's great rhythm guitar work it is high time that a few words are devoted to his efforts. His crisp and chunky rhythmic style cuts right through the rest of the instruments and certainly adds depth to the Searchers' music. His rhythm riffs, the Searcher's trademark, provide instant recognition of any Searcher's song, add a unique freshness to the music and provides percussion, all in one. "Sweets For My Sweet" and "Sugar and Spice" are only two examples of his rich rhythmic work. I would be very interested in knowing those guitarist's that influenced him during his formative guitar years. Thanks John, I hope you will be able to read this post and respond to it.

Johns McNally's answer: Thanks Peter. My early guitar influences were Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Scotty Moore, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins and Cliff Gallop (Gene Vincent's guitarist). The person who I learned most from, however, was a complete unknown - George McGie, an amateur who used to play in the pubs around the part of Liverpool where I lived. He covered the songs of the above, and many others. He was excellent, and I just used to watch, listen and learn from him.