Don't Turn Around - Merseybeats

Don't Turn Around - Merseybeats.

The Merseybeats (related vocal duo: 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) lead vocals and lead guitar; Billy Kinsley (founder 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.

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. They were re-named 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 23 June 1942, Liverpool) and drummer John Banks (born 23 September 1943, Liverpool - died 20 April 1988).

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

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.

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.

Billy Kinsley: bass, vocal;
Tony Crane: lead guitar, vocal;
Aaron Williams : rhythm guitar, vocal;
John Banks: drums;
Johnny Gustafson: bass, vocal (from the Seniors).

The Merseys

After their initial success had waned, the band folded and in 1966 Crane and Kinsley formed a vocal duo called The Merseys. They had a major hit with their first single "Sorrow", which reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart, 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 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. The duo split in 1968, with Crane and Kinsley both going on to front a number of other bands.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Merseybeats
• oldies
• British Invasion

[oldies60s2]

@5julia10 Thanks for listening, Julia.

[5julia10]

great song too Bob.Julia