Sweet sounds
SHELLEY MARSDEN speaks to John McNally, guitarist with legendary 60s pop group, The Searchers… - 27/10/09
WHO could ever mistake that sound, when the guitar chords kick in for songs like Sweets For My Sweet, Needles and Pins or Don’t Throw Your Love Away? They may not have been as big as The Beatles, but their sound is etched indelibly in the annals of pop history, and everyone from The Byrds to Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen acknowledge the debt they owe to The Searchers. McNally, whose family were originally from Dundalk and Newry.
John McNally, 68, whose once flame-coloured hair is now a distinguished grey, is a founding member of that Merseyside band which with their jangling guitar and perfect pop songs, became one of the most distinctive groups of the 60s – and are one of the few remaining from that magical era…
The Searchers began as a skiffle band, no?
Yeah, I started the band in the late 50s; unfortunately a lot of people have passed on since then, but I’ve kept it going over the last 40 years. We started off like The Beatles – playing on a street corner basically with a wash board and a tea chest baste?? and any old battered guitar that your elder brother or somebody from the navy had brought home.
The 60s seemed like such a golden era, were they?
Absolutely. Unfortunately we didn’t really realise it until later on in life, you never really do. Now all that memorabilia stuff is probably worth a lot of money! We played with The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, every 50s act you could think of.
Fior the full interview, see this week's Irish World at your local newsagents, or pick up a copy HERE from only 50p!
The Searchers are on UK tour, with dates including The Stables, Milton Keynes (Wed 29th Oct), at Fairfield Halls, Croydon (Tues 17th Nov) and Beck Theatre, Hayes (Sat 28th Nov). For all dates, visit www.the-searchers.co.uk.
Related Articles
Headlines
Rock & Pop
Trad
Country
-
Subscribe
-
Supplements
-
Travel
-
Lifestyle
The day that changed everything
-
Sport
-
GAA
