THE SEARCHERS AND ME

Frank Allen talks about his new book to Spencer Leigh

You’re responsible for this book being so long,” said Frank Allen when I met him to discuss his 440-page marathon, The Searchers And Me, “so you’d better read it.” Maybe he’s right. When Frank started his research, I told him of a few places to visit and said that, as he was a member of the one of the 60s most successful groups, he should paint a comprehensive picture of life from the inside. This is what he’s done and having read the book, which is published by Aureus, I can recommend it to anyone interested in the band. Many stories are new to me or presented from new angles, and even though he is at the centre of events, Frank is a reliable historian, presenting a balanced view of the contrary characters and turbulent activities that have shaped the band. You can tell by our interview that Frank doesn’t pull his punches.

In the summer of 1964 the London bass player, Frank Allen replaced Tony Jackson in the Liverpool band, the Searchers, which had already had three No 1s, Sweets For My Sweet, Needles And Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away. He joined Mike Pender (rhythm guitar), John McNally (lead guitar) and Chris Curtis (drums), with Mike usually taking the lead vocals. Effectively, the book is two parts: the years when Frank wasn’t in the Searchers (in which case, we get both his story and the …

by Spencer Leigh
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