JohnO Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 I just learned that The Searchers are once again gracing the US of A with their presence this July...they're playing at least 6 shows, with possibly 2 more to be announced, from 7/13 to 7/22. These are the original Searchers (as opposed to Mike Pender's Searchers), although John McNally's the only original member left. (Frank Allen's been with the band about 35 years, so he's almost an original as well). They're better than ever live....they still do the killer harmonies, Needles & Pins, When You Walk In The Room, Love POtion #9, etc. I'm going to try to catch them in Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Casino) on 7/14, and The Cutting Room in NYC on 7/15. The last 2 shows will be out west - Sacramento on 7/20, Las Vegas on 7/22. If anyone wants to hear what they sound like now, email me off-line (The Searchers sell fan club-recorded live CDs, only available at their shows). I last saw them in Annapolis in June 2004. A great live act!A huge surprise for me - at a Tower Records tonight, I found a brand new Hollies CD!!! Just released in the UK, it's called "Staying Power" -their first new studio album in 23 years. Only Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott remain from the old band. Their new singer (replaced Carl Wayne of The Move, who fronted the Hollies throughout the 90s, but passed away in 2004) is a guy named Peter Howarth, and their new Graham Nash (high harmonies) is Steve Lauri. They still have exquisite 3 part harmonies (Howarth/Lauri/Hicks) which, while not sounding like Clarke/Nash/Hicks, are great on their own. Shimmering, glistening power pop (with more emphasis on the pop) in the best Hollies tradition.....a much better album than I would have guessed or hoped for. A lot of the songs were written or co-written by Rob Davis (formerly of Mudd, Hollies' bassist Ray Stiles' old band), who's written several of Kylie Minogue's hits. Well worth getting, although it's very pricey, being just available via import so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaAllByMyself Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 JohnO ~ I have seen The Searchers quite a few times, and I agree they are great. Enjoy the show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 They don't make 'em much better than the Saarchers doing "Jackie De Shannon's" "When You Walk In The Room"-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Allen Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 The Hollies w/out Allan Clarke just doesn't do it for me (remember the disaster that was Mikael Rickfors?), although I'd be curious to see what the new tunes sound like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Does anyone know if Allan Clarke is ailing?-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Thanks for the update on the Hollies, JohnO. Makes me want to check out the new CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadfingerBarb Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I'd love to see The Searchers but I can't make any of those gigs. They were set to do a British Invasion package tour of the USA in 2004 but it fell apart. Let me know if they add more shows, particularly in the midwest or southwest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacote Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 .....the "disaster" that was michael rikfors gave us "jesus was a crossmaker" and "magic woman touch"......shame on you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I remember a Hollies comeback in the early to mid 80's...They released a cover of "Stop, In The Name Of Love"...I don't know if an album was released then or not...I thought it was was a pretty good cover...With a great vocal by Allen Clarke...Does anyone else remember this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 dan-there is a Hollies Reunion Live album from about 2003-4 with Nash and them doing the "Stop...'" single.The concert itself is from the 80's from a theme park in Cincinatti.The singing is great-especially Clarke.E-mail me if you would like more info.-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Allen Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Saw the re-formed Hollies in 1982 at Saratoga (w/G. Nash and A. Clarke). A wonderful show -- one the best I've ever seen/heard. The sad part of it was there were only about 700 people there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early Wynn Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I can't get excited about these "reunions" with one or two of the original members. IMO, without the original members...or at least some that were in the band while they were active, it is like seeing a cover band. Kind of like the "new" Cars. I don't want to see Todd Rundgren singing "Just What I Needed". That's Benjamin Orr's (RIP) song. Just as I don't want to see Joey Molland singing "Day After Day" or "Baby Blue". I wouldn't want to see a Raspberries reunion without the full band. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 The 1980s Hollies reunion included original members Nash, Clarke, Hicks, and Elliott, plus many backing musicians -- the real deal. I have the live CD Ira recommends, and the show sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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