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 (joined 2000) drums.
The Merseybeats
Originally called The Mavericks, Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley formed their first band in 1961. They were re-named The Mersey Beats in April 1962 by Bob Wooler, M.C. of the famous Cavern Club. Later in 1962 they became The Merseybeats. By now Crane and Kinsley had joined up with guitarist Aaron Williams 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 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.A. in 1964, and having their own Merseybeats Show on Italian television.
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 charts. The duo split in 1968, with Crane and Kinsley both going on to front a number of other bands.Tony Crane and The Merseybeats
During the 1970s Tony Crane continued to tour and perform live as Tony Crane and the Merseybeats, with various different line-ups.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, Europe and Scandinavia.The Merseybeats discography
Singles
- 1963 Fontana – 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
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)
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
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 Formost; 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
Cassette
- 1977 Crane Productions – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
Videos
- 1999 – The Merseybeats In Concert
- 1999 – Tony Crane Sings Elvis
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
The Merseys under the pseudonym The Crackers
- 1968 Fontana – Honey Do / It Happens All The Time
External links
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