~ The Searchers Get Their Name ~

Interestingly, The Searchers chose their name based on the Hollywood movie entitled "The Searchers." The 1956 movie, a Howard Hawks film, was directed by John Ford. Staring with John Wayne were Montgomery Cliff, Natalie Wood and Jeffrey Hunter.

Mike Pender writes "I have now seen on more than one occasion references to the history of The Searchers and in particular to whom founded the Band. The Band was founded by myself and John McNally. In 1957 John and I went to see the movie "The Searchers" starring John Wayne. I was an ardent Western Fan and so I dragged John along with me to see it. I take the credit for choosing the name 'The Searchers' and for co-founding the Band in its original form."

Several of The Searchers have used stage names that differ from thier birth names. Mike Pender was born Michael Prendergast. It appears that birth names for Chris Curtis and Frank Allen were Christopher Crummey and Frank McNiece, respectively.