The Searchers

Artist

The Searchers

153

Releases

About

Liverpool based group that were originally the backing group for singer Johnny Sandon but decided to branch out on their own. When Pye Records recording manager Tony Hatch heard a demo they had made he was so impressed that they were immediately placed under contract. They recorded "Sweets For My Sweet" as their first song.

They performed what were intended to be their last shows in 2019, but returned for farewell tours of the UK in 2023 and 2024.

Members history

1957 to 1959
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Big Ron: Vocals
Brian Dolan: Guitar
Joe West: Bass
Joe Kennedy: Drums

1960 to Feb 1962
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Tony Jackson: Bass, Vocals
Johnny Sandon: Vocals

Feb 1962 to July 1964
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Tony Jackson: Bass, Vocals

July 1964 to April 1966
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

May 1966 to December 1969
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
John Blunt: Drums
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

January 1970 to December 1985
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Billy Adamson: Drums
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

1986 to 1998
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Billy Adamson: Drums
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

1998 to 2010
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Rothe: Drums, Vocals
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

2010 to 2019
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Scott Ottoway: Drums, Vocals
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm

1

Needles and Pins

The Searchers

2

Sweets For My Sweet

The Searchers

3

Love Potion No. 9

The Searchers

4

Don't Throw Your Love Away

The Searchers

5

Sugar and Spice

The Searchers

6

Needles and Pins - Mono

The Searchers

7

When You Walk In the Room

The Searchers

8

Needles & Pins

The Searchers

9

Love Potion Number Nine - Stereo Version

The Searchers

10

Take It or Leave It

The Searchers

Setlists

Recent live performances ยท data from Setlist.fm

Setlist data provided by Setlist.fm

June 27, 2025

Worthy Farm

Pilton, England, United Kingdom

  • 1. Sweets for My Sweet(The Drifters cover)

  • 2. Don't Throw Your Love Away(The Orlons cover)

  • 3. Mr. Tambourine Man(Bob Dylan cover)

  • 4. Sugar and Spice

  • 5. Take Me for What I'm Worth(P.F. Sloan cover)

  • 6. What Have They Done to the Rain?(Malvina Reynolds cover)

  • 7. Hearts in Her Eyes

  • 8. Runaway(Del Shannon cover)

  • 9. Farmer John(Don & Dewey cover)

  • 10. Love Potion No. 9(The Clovers cover)

  • 11. Peggy Sue / Oh Boy

  • 12. Seven Nights to Rock(Moon Mullican cover)

  • 13. Young Girl(Gary Puckett & the Union Gap cover)

  • 14. Needles and Pins(Jackie DeShannon cover)

  • 15. When You Walk in the Room(Jackie DeShannon cover)

  • 16. Twist and Shout(The Top Notes cover)

  • 17. Sweets for My Sweet / Don't Throw Your Love Away / When You Walk in the Room / Love Potion No. 9 / Sugar and Spice / Needles and Pins

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


June 13, 2024

Dudley Town Hall

Dudley, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


June 12, 2024

The Hexagon

Reading, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


June 11, 2024

Pavilion Theatre

Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


June 8, 2024

Littlecote House

Hungerford, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm โ†’

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People Also Ask

The Searchers has released 153+ albums. Some of their notable releases include The Ultimate Collection, A & B Sides 1963-67, The EP Collection. Explore their complete discography on this page.

Some of The Searchers's most popular tracks include Needles and Pins, Sweets For My Sweet, Love Potion No. 9, Don't Throw Your Love Away, Sugar and Spice. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.

Liverpool based group that were originally the backing group for singer Johnny Sandon but decided to branch out on their own. When Pye Records recording manager Tony Hatch heard a demo they had made h... Read the full biography on this page.

You can find The Searchers vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.

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