The Merseybeats
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The Merseybeats (later becoming The Merseys) are a Merseybeat band that emerged from the Liverpool scene in the early 1960s, performing at The Cavern Club along with The Beatles, Gerry & the Pacemakers and other similar artists.
The current line-up is: Tony Crane (founder member 1961) lead vocals and lead guitar, Billy Kinsley (founder member 1961) lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Bob Packham (joined 1974) backing vocals and bass guitar, Adrian Crane (Tony Crane's son, joined 2000) keyboards and lead guitar, Lou Rosenthal (also joined 2000) drums.
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[edit] The Merseybeats
Originally called The Mavericks, Tony Crane (born Anthony Crane, 17 April 1945, in Anfield, Liverpool) and Billy Kinsley (born William Ellis Kinsley, 28 November 1946, at The Mill Road Hospital, Mill Road, Anfield, Liverpool) formed their first band in late 1960 and became The Pacifics in September 1961. They were re-named The Mersey Beats in February 1962 by Bob Wooler, MC of the famous Cavern Club. Later in April 1962 they became The Merseybeats. By now Crane and Kinsley had joined up with guitarist Aaron Williams (born 23 June 1942, in Liverpool) and drummer John Banks. They were originally signed to the Brian Epstein organisation, but when Epstein failed to supply The Merseybeats with the same classy suits that he had given The Beatles, they parted company with him, much to their later regret.
They then signed a record deal with Fontana and had their first hit single in 1963 with "It’s Love That Really Counts", followed in 1964 by their million-selling recording "I Think of You" which gained them their first gold disc. They had two more major hits, "Don’t Turn Around" and "Wishin' & Hopin'". Other successful recordings included "Last Night", "Don’t Let it Happen to Us", "I Love You Yes I Do", "I Stand Accused", "Mister Moonlight", "Really Mystified", "The Fortune Teller", and "Lovely Loretta".
The Merseybeats became well known for their distinctive style of fashion. They were credited as the 'Best Looking Group', dressed in tight-fitting suits with bolero jackets and frilly shirts. Their outfits, complete with high-heeled zip boots, provoked hysteria from their female fans.
They appeared regularly at Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club and they claim to have appeared there with The Beatles on more occasions than any other band from that era. They were also successful abroad, touring in Germany and the U.S. in 1964, and having their own Merseybeats Show on Italian television.
[edit] The Merseys
After their initial success had waned, the band folded and in 1966 Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley formed a vocal duo called The Merseys. They had a major hit with their first single "Sorrow", which became a Sixties classic and has since been covered by many other artists. A line from this song is included in The Beatles' "It's All Too Much", released in 1969 as part of the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album. David Bowie recorded a single version in 1973 which reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart. The duo split in 1968, with Crane and Kinsley both going on to front a number of other bands (see below).
[edit] Tony Crane and The Merseybeats
During the 1970s Crane continued to tour and perform live as Tony Crane and the Merseybeats, with various different line-ups.
[edit] Liverpool Express
Under the banner "Liverpool Express", Kinsley returned to the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1976, with the Top 20 single, "You Are My Love". This group enjoyed moderate chart success for the next couple of years.
[edit] The Merseybeats re-formed
Kinsley and Crane re-formed the Merseybeats in 1993, and after celebrating 45 years in the music business (in 2006) they still continue to tour and perform live on the successful 'Sixties circuit', and at venues in the UK, and across Europe.
[edit] Counterfeit Mersey Beats
In 1987, a Cleveland, Ohio band formed using the name "The Mersey Beats," unaware of the original Liverpool combo. Initially inspired by the Beatles’ Hamburg Star Club recordings, the Cleveland Mersey Beats started out playing the earliest songs covered by the Beatles during their Cavern days. Early set lists included "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Your Feets Too Big," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry," "Little Queenie," and "I've Gotta Find My Baby," among many others.
Eventually, the repertoire expanded to include many British Invasion Bands such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, and the Dave Clark Five, but ironically, NOT the real MerseyBeats.
The Cleveland Mersey Beats enjoyed local popularity for a short period of the late 80's, and went through several personnel changes including three different drummers, and for a short time had an additional lead singer. They were also known at the time as the band with the largest stage banner, displaying a 15-foot long Rickenbacker inscribed with "The MerseyBeats." Career highlights include opening for Fayrewether at the old Sahara Lounge in Willoughby Hills (and subsequently headlining many shows there) and the infamous Halloween Bash of '90 at the Triple Crown, where a riot nearly broke out when "Big Al," the owner-bartender, attempted to sing "Mack the Knife."
The tragic disappearance of 2nd drummer Scott Keenan in 1991 led to the spread of many rumors, one of which stated that he (Scott) joined the mission field at an undisclosed location. Another rumor, that the original drummer had ordered a hit on Scott in order to regain his position, was later proven false.
The four original members still get together on occasion to play for friends and family, and have even acquired new fans over the years.
[edit] Death of John Banks
The Merseybeats' founder member and drummer, John Banks, who was born 23 September 1943, in Liverpool, died on 20 April 1988, at the age of 44.
[edit] The Merseybeats discography
[edit] Singles
- 1963 Fontana Records – "It’s Love That Really Counts" / "The Fortune Teller"
- 1963 Fontana – "I Think Of You" / "Mister Moonlight"
- 1964 Fontana – "Don’t Turn Around" / "Really Mystified"
- 64 Fontana – "Wishin' & Hopin'" / "Milkman"
- 1964 Fontana – "Last Night (I Made a Little Girl Cry)" / "Send Me Back"
- 1965 Fontana – "Don’t Let it Happen to Us" / "It Would Take a Long Long Time"
- 1965 Fontana – "I Love You Yes I Do" / "Good Good Lovin'"
- 1965 Fontana – "I Stand Accused" / "All My Life"
- 1975 Crane – "American Dream"
- 1981 Tudor Chew – "This is Merseybeat"
[edit] EPs
- 1964 Fontana – "The Merseybeats On Stage"
- 1963 Fontana – "The Merseybeats" / "I Think of You"
- 1964 Fontana – "Wishin' & Hopin'"
- 1966 Fontana – "I Think of You" (French)
[edit] LPs
- 1963 Oriole – This Is Merseybeat
- 1964 Fontana – The Merseybeats
- 1966 Wing – The Merseybeats
- 1977 Look – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
- 1978 Crane Productions – Tony Crane sings Elvis Presley
- 1982 Edsel – The Merseybeats Beats & Ballads
[edit] CDs
- 1990 Fontana – The Merseybeats
- 1992 Trace – The Merseybeats
- 1993 Amadeus – I’ll Get You
- 1993 Amadeus – I’ll Get You (Extended)
- 1996 Javelin – The Merseybeats
- 1997 Karussell – The Very Best of the Merseybeats
- 1999 Crane – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
- 2002 Bear Family Records – The Merseybeats I Think of You
- 2003 Crane – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
- 2003 Merseybeat – Anniversary Tour 2003
- 12-track compilation with The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Fourmost; The Merseybeats' four tracks - "Sorrow" / "This Time" / "Don't Ask Me to be Friends" / "Poor Boy From Liverpool"
- 2003 This Time – "This Time" / "Don't Ask Me to Be Friends" / "Poor Boy From Liverpool"
[edit] Cassette
- 1977 Crane Productions – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
[edit] Videos
- 1999 – The Merseybeats In Concert
- 1999 – Tony Crane Sings Elvis
[edit] The Merseys discography
- 1966 Fontana – "Sorrow" / "Some Other Day"
- 1966 Fontana – "So Sad About Us" / "Love Will Continue"
- 1966 Fontana – "Rhythm of Love" / "Is it Love"
- 1966 Fontana – "Rhythm of Love" (EP)
- 1967 Fontana – "The Cat" / "Change of Heart"
- 1967 Fontana – "Penny in My Pocket" / "I Hope You're Happy"
- 1968 Fontana – "Lovely Loretta" / "Loretta Dreaming"
- 1973 Philips – "Sorrow" / "I Think of You"
[edit] The Merseys under the pseudonym The Crackers
- 1968 Fontana – "Honey Do" / "It Happens All The Time"
[edit] Liverpool Express discography
- 1976 Warner Bros. – "You Are My Love"
- 1976 Warner – "Hold Tight"
- 1976 Warner – "Every Man Must Have a Dream"
- 1977 Warner – "Dreamin'"
[edit] References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
- Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
