Where Was The Club 60 Purchased?
John McNally purchased his Hofner new from a guitar shop in Preston, Lancashire. The guitar came in a natural or "blond" finish. He recalled "I bought it on Hire Purchase - I was too young to sign the credit agreement, so my father had to sign it." That John was not of age to sign the contract is easily seen from his youthful appearance in the photo introducing this article.
Why And By Whom Was The Club 60 Refinished?
The Club 60 was eventually refinished to black and John McNally related the reason behind his decision to have this work done. In his words "I really wanted a Gibson Les Paul, but couldn't afford one, so I had the Club 60 sprayed black to look like the Les Paul. I can't remember the exact year. I do remember, though, that I couldn't afford to have it resprayed by a proper guitar restorer, so I had it done by a friend who was a car mechanic." You can certainly see McNally's point, the black finish had a more professional appearance and also had a "Les Paul look."
McNally with refinished Hofner (1963)
Why And By Whom Was The Club 60 Modified?
The newly finished Club 60 was modified while the Searchers were at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. In what has to be a Star Club memory that he won't soon forget, John McNally recalled "The electrics went while we were at the Star Club in Hamburg. Adrian Barber of The Big Three rewired it, which is what gave it its very trebly sound." So as luck would have it, the modifications made following a guitar malfunction would ultimately result in the trebly sound that became the Searchers' trademark rhythm guitar. A new and unmistakably unqiue sound was born.
Who Influenced McNally's Rhythm Style?
Of particular interest, however, is the manner in which John McNally skillfully used his new found sound. The Hofner Club 60, used in the recording of "Meet The Searchers" and "Sugar and Spice" albums, would be the vehicle that led to the distinctive sound that fans quickly came to identify as "The Searchers." But where did John McNally get the idea for the rapid staccato rhythm so easily identified on recordings such as "Sweets For My Sweet" and "Sugar and Spice". He kindly revealed the source of this technique and explained "My early guitar influences were Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Scotty Moore, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins and Cliff Gallop (Gene Vincent's guitarist)". So which one of these artists do you suppose was paramount in introducing John McNally to what would become his famous rhythm style, Buddy Holly? Carl Perkins? Guess again. McNally continued "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."
That McNally's rhythmic style has been the mainstay of much of The Searchers' music is an understatement. It is most interesting to see how the staccato riffs in songs such as "Sweets for My Sweet", for example, eventually evolved into the more complex syncopated style heard in classics such as "Goodbye My Love." Went one looks beneath the outside layer of sweet melody and intricate harmonies, there lies within a solid core of rhythm that provides for a whole new appreciation of the Searchers' music. But don't divert your attention for a second - as many of McNally's guitar intricacies are hidden in his blinding speed.
|
July 23, 2001 - Revised July 31, 2001
