Perth Voice Interactive

THE Searchers’ Frank Allen puts the band’s longevity down to a nostalgia revival–and the pure enjoyment they still get out of playing more than 50 years on.

“We are retirement age and financially secure, so the only reason to do it is because you enjoy it,” he tells the Voice from his London home.

With a combined age that doesn’t bear contemplation the “boys” still give it their all, pumping out old favourites polished over almost half a century.

Hailing from Merseyside, The Searchers were at the epicentre of the ‘60s music and cultural revolution. They recorded a string of hits including Sugar and Spice (which featured in the movie Good Morning Vietnam), and Sweets for My Sweets – but despite being chart toppers were always in the shadow of fellow Merseysiders, The Beatles.

“We were part of a golden era of music. The Beatles paved the way. The future was forever, but we didn’t know that at the time,” Allen says.

The band made other people’s music their own, mostly “failed American singles”, including Love Potion Number 9: “We took it and turned it into a huge hit.”

The group first heard Needles and Pins while touring Germany and back home their version shot to number one in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, and 13 in the US.

Rock and roll hit the doldrums in the frothy-pop music ‘70s, and like many, The Searchers felt the pinch, classy hotels on tour becoming a memory: “We went down to B&Bs.”
But they stuck in to ride the wave of nostalgia that has kept the band going for decades, with old and new fans demanding the old songs.

“It’s the same with Elton John, I think people go to hear Rocket Man and Candle in the Wind. There’s no shame in nostalgia,” Allen says.

At 72 Allen’s a couple of years younger than mate Cliff Richards, and a year younger than Mick Jagger: “People say aren’t you glad to be working at your age, I says I’m glad to be walking at my age,” he jokes.

The Searchers are at the Astor Theatre, February 6.

by JENNY D’ANGER