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The Merseybeats

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The Merseybeats
Also known asThe Mavericks (1961–1962), The Merseys (1966–1969)
OriginLiverpool, England
GenresPop
Years active1961–present
LabelsFontana, various
MembersTony Crane
Billy Kinsley
Bob Packham
Lou Rosenthal
Past membersSee: Members
Websitemerseybeats.co.uk

The Merseybeats (related vocal duo: The Merseys, see below) are a Merseybeat band that emerged from the Liverpool scene in the early 1960s,[1] performing at The Cavern Club along with The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers and other similar artists.

The current line-up is: Tony Crane (founding member) lead vocals and lead guitar; Billy Kinsley (founding member) lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Bob Packham (joined 1974) backing vocals and bass guitar (born Robert Packham, 17 July 1944, Anfield, Liverpool) (ex The Galvinsers); Dave Goldberg keyboards and lead guitar; and Lou Rosenthal (also joined 2000) drums.[1]

Bands

The Merseybeats

Originally called The Mavericks, Tony Crane (born Anthony Crane, 17 April 1945, Anfield, Liverpool) and Billy Kinsley (born William Ellis Kinsley, 28 November 1946, at The Mill Road Hospital, Mill Road, Everton, Liverpool) formed their first band in late 1960 and became The Pacifics in September 1961.[1] They were renamed The Mersey Beats in February 1962 by Bob Wooler, MC at the Cavern Club. Later in April 1962, they became The Merseybeats. By now Crane and Kinsley had joined up with guitarist Aaron Williams (born James Aaron Williams, 23 June 1942, Liverpool) and drummer John Banks (born 23 September 1943, Liverpool – died 20 April 1988).[1]

They signed a recording contract 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.[1] They suffered a setback when in February 1964 Billy Kinsley left to form his own band, The Kinsleys.[1] He was temporarily replaced by Bob Garner (later of The Creation) and permanently by Johnny Gustafson, formerly of The Big Three.[1]

With Gustafson they had two more major hits, "Don't Turn Around" and "Wishin' and Hopin' ". Other successful recordings included "Last Night", "Don't Let it Happen to Us", "I Love You, Yes I Do", "I Stand Accused", "Mr. Moonlight", "Really Mystified" and "The Fortune Teller". Kinsley returned to the group in late 1964.[1]

The Merseybeats appeared regularly at Liverpool's 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 US 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 Crane and Kinsley formed a vocal duo called The Merseys.[1] They had a major hit with their first single "Sorrow", which reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart,[1] later being covered by many other artists (although it was itself a cover, having previously been a B-side by The McCoys). The introduction on the record featured a bowed bass played by Jack Bruce. A line from this song, "with your long blonde hair and eyes of blue," 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.[1] 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 Crane continued to tour and perform live as Tony Crane and the Merseybeats, with various line-ups.[1]

Liverpool Express

See Liverpool Express

The Merseybeats re-formed

The Merseybeats' founding member and drummer John Banks died on 20 April 1988, at the age of 44.

However, Kinsley and Crane re-formed the Merseybeats in 1993, and after celebrating 45 years in the music industry in 2006, they continued to tour and perform on the 'sixties circuit', and at venues in the UK, and across Europe.

Members

Current

  • Tony Crane – lead guitars, lead vocals (1961–present)
  • Billy Kinsley – rhythm guitars (previously bass), lead vocals (1961–1964, 1964–1974, 1993–2011, 2011–present)
  • Bob Packham – bass, backing vocals (1974–present)
  • Lou Rosenthal – drums (2000–present)

Former

  • David Elias – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1961–1962)
  • Frank Sloane – drums (1961–1962)
  • Aaron Williams – rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1962–1966)
  • John Banks – drums (1962–1965; deceased)
  • Bob Garner – bass guitar, lead vocals (1964)
  • Johnny Gustafson – bass, lead vocals (1964)
  • Kenny Mundaye – drums (1965–1966, 1969–1974; a member of "The Fruit Eating Bears" during the time of "The Merseys")
  • Allan Cosgrove – drums (1974–2000)
  • Colin Drummond – keyboards, violin (1986–1993)
  • Dave Goldberg – keyboards (1993–2000, 2009–2011)
  • Adrian Crane – keyboards (2000–2009)
  • Chris Finley – keyboards (2011)
  • Toni Baker – keyboards (2011)
  • Alan Lovell – rhythm guitars, lead vocals (2011)

The Fruit Eating Bears (Merseys' backing band; 1966–1969)

  • Joey Molland – guitars
  • Chris Finley – keyboards
  • George Cassidy – bass
  • Kenny Goodlass – drums
  • Kenny Mundaye – drums

The Merseybeats discography

Singles

  • 1963 Fontana – "It's Love That Really Counts" / "The Fortune Teller" – UK #24
  • 1963 Fontana – "I Think of You" / "Mr. Moonlight" – UK #5
  • 1964 Fontana – "Don't Turn Around" / "Really Mystified" – UK #13
  • 1964 Fontana – "Wishin' and Hopin' " / "Milkman" – UK #13
  • 1964 Fontana – "Last Night" / "See Me Back" – UK #40 [2]
  • 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'" – UK #22
  • 1965 Fontana – "I Stand Accused" / "All My Life" – UK #38

[3]

EPs

  • 1964 Fontana – "The Merseybeats on Stage"
  • 1963 Fontana – "The Merseybeats" / "I Think of You"
  • 1964 Fontana – "Wishin' and Hopin'"
  • 1966 Fontana – "I Think of You" (French)

LPs

  • 1963 Oriole – This Is Merseybeat
  • 1964 Fontana – The Merseybeats – UK #12
  • 1966 Wing – The Merseybeats
  • 1977 Look – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits
  • 1978 Crane Productions – Tony Crane sings Elvis Presley
  • 1982 Edsel – The Merseybeats Beats & Ballads

[3]

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 – I Think of You – The Complete Recordings
  • 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"

Cassette

  • 1977 Crane Productions – The Merseybeats Greatest Hits

Videos

  • 1999 – The Merseybeats in Concert
  • 1999 – Tony Crane sings Elvis Presley

The Merseys discography

  • 1966 Fontana – "Sorrow" / "Some Other Day" – UK #4
  • 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" / "Dreaming"
  • 1973 Philips – "Sorrow" / "I Think of You"

[3]

The Merseys under the pseudonym Crackers

  • 1968 Fontana – "Honey Do" / "It Happens All The Time"

CD

  • 2005 Merseys, The A & B Sides, Rarities & More: 1964-1968[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Biography by Bruce Eder and Richie Unterberger". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  2. ^ "See Me Back" is erroneously called "Send Me Back" on the cover of the CD sampler The Merseybeats I Think of You and at the Merseybeats' official website.
  3. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 361. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ The first 14 tracks on this CD are by The Merseys. The rest are songs by other ex-members of The Merseybeats, like Johnny Gustafson, or by one or other backing group of The Merseys.

Further reading

  • Call Up The Groups, Alan Clayson, 1985, Blandford Press – ISBN 0-7137-1553-7
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