Merseybeat
107 articles
Profile by Bill Harry, Mersey Beat, 22 February 1962
IT IS A well known fact that the Dominos were the first rock group to appear on Merseyside (at least this is the view shared ...
Beat Group Names from America and Liverpool
Report by Norman Jopling, Record Mirror, 4 August 1962
IS THE Liverpool area the rockingest part of the great British Isles? A publication, Mersey Beat, just arrived, makes me think this is the ...
The Beatles: Beatles Find Show Biz Isn't All Fun
Interview by Jean Carol, Disc, 24 November 1962
THE BEATLES, newest British group to join the ever-growing list of outfits to challenge the Shadows, dropped into the DISC office just about 12 hours ...
The Beatles: At a Recording Session with the Beatles
Report and Interview by Alan Smith, Mersey Beat, 3 January 1963
THE SECONDS tick away, high in the control room at EMI's recording studios in St. John's Wood, London. Through the glass panel I could see ...
Report and Interview by Wesley Laine, Record Mirror, 2 February 1963
WHETHER YOU like them or not, you've got to admit that the Beatles are just about the most talked-about group on the British beat scene. ...
The Beatles: Liverpool Group Takes Britain by Storm
Profile by June Harris, Disc, 9 February 1963
LAST WEEK Brian Matthew described The Beatles as "the most original musical and visual sensation since The Shadows." And the off-beat writings of leader John ...
The Beatles: Beatles Almost Threw 'Please Please Me' Away
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963
THE BEATLES opened a copy of the NME and gazed proudly at the Charts when 'Please Please Me' hit the top recently. It was a ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: New to the Charts: Gerry, Pacemakers from Beatle-land!
Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 March 1963
CRASHING into the NME Chart this week comes another beat name from Beatle-land, Liverpool's Gerry and the Pacemakers. Gerry is featured vocalist on 'How Do ...
The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers: Merseyside Beat Pays Off At Last!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 23 March 1963
IT'S ALL happening up in Liverpool! First The Beatles, now Gerry and the Pacemakers and in a few weeks time, who knows? The music the ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry And The Pacemakers Reveal Their Success Secret: 'We Let Go!'
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 April 1963
"UND JETZT," said Gerry (of the Pacemakers), "ein wünsche für..." The rest of his announcement was drowned by a burst of good-natured jeering from the ...
The Beatles, Dave Berry: The Hamburg Scene: An NRM Special Report
Report and Interview by David Griffiths, Record Mirror, 6 April 1963
WHERE, WOULD you reckon, is the greatest training ground for British beat singers and groups? ...
The Beatles: Throat Sweets Keep Us Going Say Beatles!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 April 1963
A NEVER-ENDING supply of throat sweets is one of the secrets behind the continued success of the Beatles, who come crashing into the NME Chart ...
Report by Bill Harry, Record Mirror, 20 April 1963
By BILL HARRY, Editor of MERSEY BEAT ...
Profile and Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 27 April 1963
IT WOULDN'T be difficult to be exceedingly jealous of Brian Epstein. In fact, I should think a lot of people are — managers particularly. ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Pacemakers are still on Cloud Nine
Profile by June Harris, Disc, 27 April 1963
AT SOME time — he was in such a daze he can't remember exactly when — between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. on ...
The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Kramer Adds To Liverpool Chart Invasion!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963
FIRST THE BEATLES, then Gerry and the Pacemakers. Now a new Liverpool name, Billy J. Kramer, looks set to take the NME Chart by storm ...
Billy J. Kramer: Singing Was Forced On To Me!
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 May 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER sat back in his manager's London office and looked thoughtful as the bubbles settled on top of his cup of hot tea. ...
Freddie Starr & the Midnighters: Joe Meek and Merseybeat
Interview by Bill Harry, Mersey Beat, 23 May 1963
Meek Records Midnighters First Disc ...
Live Review by June Harris, Disc, 25 May 1963
Beatles-Roy Orbison tour is a sensation! ...
The Big Three: "They All Copied Us," Said The Big Three To NRM's David Griffiths
Interview by David Griffiths, Record Mirror, 1 June 1963
THE FIRST thing you notice about them is that they are quite normal size — three average-height lads. But when they start to play — ...
Freddie & The Dreamers: The Hilarious Account Of How Freddie 'Floated' From Milk To Hit
Profile and Interview by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 7 June 1963
MR. FREDERICK GARRATTY has it all worked out exactly when he became just plain Freddie, a full-time professional entertainer with a backing group called the ...
Gerry & the Pacemakers: Gerry and the Judies*
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 8 June 1963
*DOLLS, BIRDS, CHICKS, DAMES ...
Freddie & The Dreamers: Freddie, of the Dreamers, has a Weakness for 'Birds', Fruit and Squash
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 22 June 1963
FREDDIE GARRETTY ordered a glass of orange squash, six dishes of fruit salad, and confessed that two items share the number one spot in his ...
The Swinging Blue Jeans: Blue Jeans Swing into Chart
Profile by Ian Dove, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
THE SWINGING Blue Jeans have been swinging for a long time. Back in 1957, when they were first formed, the line-up was typical of those ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Just Say 'Didn'I' To Get The Pacemakers Laughing
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963
GERRY AND the Pacemakers staggered into their dressing-room, glistening with perspiration as each fell into a chair and sipped an ice-cold drink. "Like it?" grinned ...
Billy J. Kramer: Great Session by Billy J — But Those Tonsils Will Have To Come Out!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 6 July 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER has tonsil trouble. "I reckon I'll have 'em chopped out in September," he told me over the phone last week. "The specialist ...
The Beatles, Elvis Presley: John Lennon: El's Still The King — But He's Got To Watch It!
Interview by Jean Carol, Disc, 6 July 1963
That 'I don't like Presley' remark on Juke Box Jury has caused an uproar, but JOHN LENNON is sticking to what he said.... ...
The Searchers: Searchers Paid £40 To Make LP
Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 July 1963
THE SEARCHERS might not be in the NME Top Ten this week – making an amazing jump from No. 24 to No. 5! – if ...
The Searchers: Hit Brings Big Offers for the Searchers
Profile and Interview by June Harris, Disc, 13 July 1963
No sales for three weeks, then crash, the new boys make it big! ...
The Beatles: Beatles Recover From That Fantastic EP
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 17 July 1963
JOHN LENNON removed his black rimmed glasses and wiped the steam off with his tie. The other three Beatles hunted blindly for chairs, dropped in ...
Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963
THERE'S A long and fascinating story behind the big come-back success of 'Twist And Shout' (now with three versions in the best-sellers) — and it's ...
The Big Three: Everything Happens to the Big Three — Even an Electric Shock!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 20 July 1963
"ISN'T IT fab" remarked Johnny Hutchinson. "Are we really in the charts again? It's gear. The works." Johnny was enthusing over the success of the ...
The Beatles: Pete Best: The Other Beatle
Profile by Bill Harry, Mersey Beat, 1 August 1963
'Moody and Magnificent' they said — 'He was the Great Attraction'. Fans went wild over him. He was... The Other Beatle ...
The Dakotas, Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Kramer Talks About the Dakotas
Interview by uncredited writer, New Musical Express, 9 August 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER stood in the wings at Southend Odeon at the weekend, clicking his fingers to the rhythm of the Dakotas. A spotlight penetrated ...
Report by Jean Carol, Disc, 17 August 1963
JEAN CAROL finds out what it is really like. ...
The Searchers: Everything Happens to the Searchers!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 24 August 1963
Success, accidents, you name it, they've had it! ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry And The Pacemakers Too Busy For Recordings!
Report and Interview by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 14 September 1963
IT'S BEEN a bit quiet on the recording front for Gerry and the Pacemakers — and the main reason is that the effervescent Mr. Marsden ...
The Tremeloes: The Tired Tremeloes..!
Interview by Norman Jopling, Record Mirror, 14 September 1963
In the charts with 'Twist And Shout' and with 'Do You Love Me' crashing in at No. 33, Brian and the boys begin to feel ...
Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Still Can't Believe it!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 September 1963
No. 1 with his first. No. 1 with his second, and now he tops his own package... no wonder Billy J. still can't believe it! ...
The Searchers: June Harris Visits the Searchers... And Finds Them Doing Nothing!
Report by June Harris, Disc, 21 September 1963
THE THEATRE was quiet! A few people sat scattered around the auditorium, and The Searchers were on stage, saying and doing nothing! ...
Live Review by June Harris, Disc, 21 September 1963
ROY, BRIAN, FREDDIE — THEY'RE A KNOCKOUT! ...
Billy J. Kramer: Life With Billy J.!
Interview by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 5 October 1963
BILLY J. KRAMER lashed back his second entire French loaf, whooshed amiably through a large crab salad — and talked about the trials, tribulations and ...
Cilla Black: After Those Beatles — The Gear Girl
Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 5 October 1963
"I LOVE PARTIES," SAYS THE GIRL FROM LIVERPOOL. "WE ACT SOFT, DANCE FLAMENCO AND WEAR WAX ROSES IN OUR MOUTHS." ...
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 12 October 1963
THINGS ARE swinging for the Searchers. Their 'Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya' EP stormed into our Top Thirty two weeks ago at 16, moved up to ...
The Beatles: The Year of the Beatles, part one
Profile and Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 17 October 1963
AS THEY MAKE THE ROYAL SHOW: A STUDY OF HOW THEY DID IT ...
The Beatles: Part II Of "The Year of the Beatles": This is where the 'O' level world becomes Rock...
Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 18 October 1963
WHAT DISTINGUISHES the Beatles and the Liverpool Movement from the rest is their self-confidence. ...
The Beatles: Part III Of 'The Year Of The Beatles': It's Like Living It Up With Four Marx Brothers
Profile and Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 19 October 1963
EACH BEATLE differs so much from the other Beatles that it's odd they get on so well together. They like each other best. "We are ...
The Beatles: With The Beatles (Parlophone)
Review by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 9 November 1963
WITH THE BEATLES IS THE TITLE OF THE FANTASTIC NEW BEATLES ALBUM. HERE'S A DETAILED REVIEW BY PETER JONES ...
The Beatles: Only Do TV — At First
Report and Interview by Alan Walsh, Disc, 7 December 1963
WHEN THE Beatles go to America next year it will be virtually only to appear on the Ed Sullivan TV show. Speaking to me in ...
The Beatles Go Home To Liverpool In Triumph
Report by Alan Walsh, Disc, 14 December 1963
RINGO STARR, perched on a dais six feet above the stage of Liverpool's Empire Theatre, looked chilled despite his overcoat. Below him on the stage ...
The Beatles: Beatles: Yes, It's All So Different Now, Says John
Report and Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 December 1963
JOHN LENNON was the first to enter the Southend Odeon. He strolled across the stage looking very un-Beatlish in a suede cap and huge dark ...
The Beatles: Paris Prepares For That Beatle Invasion
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 December 1963
June Harris talks to Jo Bergman of the Beatles Press office, just back from Paris ...
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 December 1963
Nobody can look back on 1963 with more satisfaction than The Beatles. In the last 12 months they've caused riots at the Royal Variety Performance, ...
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 December 1963
This year has been just fantastic, but despite what the pessimists say, the next 12 months could be even bigger for the Beatles. Nobody can look ...
The Beatles: Yes, It's All So Different Now, Says John
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 21 December 1963
JOHN LENNON was the first to enter the Southend Odeon. He strolled across the stage looking very un-Beatlish in a suede cap and huge dark ...
The Searchers: Searchers Aim to Shake the Market!
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 4 January 1964
THIS YEAR, more than anything, The Searchers want to shake the British market with a new, way-out sound! Their success last year with numbers like ...
The Beatles: Beatles Head For No.1 In U.S.!
Report by June Harris, Disc, 18 January 1964
THE BEATLES' 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' is heading straight for the Number One spot in the American 100! Last Friday the record soared ...
The Swinging Blue Jeans: New Sound Wanted for Blue Jeans' Next Disc
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 25 January 1964
THE SWINGING Blue Jeans were rehearsing like mad in the final few minutes before their guest appearance on Go Man Go. ...
The Beatles: It's Bedlam for the Beatles
Report by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 13 February 1964
THINGS ARE really getting beyond a joke. The Beatles arrived back in New York from Washington yesterday afternoon and were marooned for three-quarters of an ...
The Beatles: "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" An Afterthought
Interview by Ronnie Oberman, Evening Star, The (Washington DC), 14 February 1964
THE FAMOUS "yeah, yeah, yeah," in the Beatles' recording 'She Loves You' on the Swan label was a last-minute addition. ...
The Merseybeats: Merseybeats — On The Way Up — Look For A Replacement
Interview by Alan Walsh, Disc, 15 February 1964
IN THE background was that thumping, dynamic beat that tells you this is Liverpool! And the voice on the phone, too, was unmistakably Scouse. Tony ...
The Beatles: The One Who Got Away
Interview by Keith Altham, Fabulous, 15 February 1964
PETE BEST is the Beatle who got away. The drummer who was replaced by Ringo Starr just before the boys hit the big time. What ...
The Beatles: I Love Them All, Says Ringo
Report and Interview by Maureen Cleave, The Evening Standard, 22 February 1964
THERE WERE 8000 on the roof. A thousand running through the building. And police galore. ...
Billy J. Kramer: Billy Has An Eye For Pop Fashion
Interview by Alan Walsh, Disc, 29 February 1964
BILLY J. KRAMER, rated one of Britain's snappiest popsters dresswise, was talking to me about his wardrobe. We were in Liverpool, where Billy was relaxing ...
Tony Sheridan, Kingsize Taylor: Tony Sheridan and Kingsize Taylor: The Forgotten Kings of Beat
Profile by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 29 February 1964
AS HAS possibly been observed before, it is all happening in Hamburg. There is more big beat per square yard on the Reeperbahn, with its ...
The Searchers: Here's What Makes Searchers a Hit
Interview by June Harris, Disc, 7 March 1964
WHAT MAKES a hit disc? The singer, the song, the producer, or a combination of all three? More particularly, what makes The Searchers such a ...
Interview by uncredited writer, Disc, 14 March 1964
I'm the only girl on tour — and it's really marvellous! ...
The Beatles: Musicians Union Watching Invasion of British Groups
Report by uncredited writer, Billboard, 28 March 1964
NEW YORK — The influx of the British musical groups on the U.S. personal appearance scene is disturbing the American Federation of Musicians. It's understood ...
Report by Mike Grant, Rave, April 1964
A BLONDE hairdresser is said to be very much the apple of Ringo Starr's eye at the moment. She lives and works in Liverpool and ...
The Beatles: Sshhh!!!!! Silence!!! Lights!!! Camera!!! Action!!! It's Those Beatles!
Report and Interview by Keith Altham, Fabulous, 16 May 1964
BEATLES HERE. Beatles there. Beatles tearing about everywhere, down at Twickenham film studios. I didn't expect any of them to have time for a chat, ...
Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black, Gerry & The Pacemakers: Fab Gives Cilla a 21st Gig
Report by Keith Altham, Fabulous, 23 May 1964
Cilla Black's a mighty popular popster and Fab fans of hers wrote in droves asking about Cilla's birthday. Since her 21st was coming up we just had to ...
The Swinging Blue Jeans: The Blue Jeans Ordeal
Interview by David Griffiths, Record Mirror, 23 May 1964
The Swinging Blue Jeans talk to R.M's David Griffiths about the R&B fanatics who spoilt their act ...
The Beatles: Now You Can Be A Beatle People And Get Right In Here With Them
Overview by uncredited writer, Rave, June 1964
● Just a few people share the Beatles' lives — and their wit, charm, gaiety — because the Beatles can't meet everyone. ● But now YOU ...
The Merseybeats: We Love Mad Fans!
Interview by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 18 July 1964
say those Merseybeats Off the Cuff to Peter Jones ...
The Mojos: Much Ado About Mojos
Profile and Interview by Sylvia Stephen, Fabulous, 25 July 1964
What a FABULOUS assignment! ...
Report by Keith Altham, Fabulous, 15 August 1964
Fab's Keith has a hard day's afternoon at Windor races with the Mojos ...
Billy J. Kramer: Fab Says Happy Birthday Billy J.
Report by Sylvia Stephens, Fabulous, 22 August 1964
It's Billy J's. 21st. What better excuse for a party? So we had one — and it was FAB. ...
Cilla Black: Cilla — She'll Stay Here, Says Brian
Interview by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 22 August 1964
WHAT NEXT for Cilla Black? Only one man really knows the way to develop her career... and that man Is Brian Epstein, guv'nor figure of ...
The Beatles, John Lennon: John Lennon: Happy Birthday to the Head Beatle
Interview by Keith Altham, Fabulous, 10 October 1964
Although The Beatles have never officially had a leader, John Lennon has always been regarded as Beatle-boss because of his major role in their success. ...
Interview by Bill Harry, Mersey Beat, 22 October 1964
BRAND NEW Searcher Frank Allen described to us some of the excitement he felt on his first worldwide trip with the group shortly before he ...
The Beatles, The Quarrymen: The Beatle Who Lost Out!
Retrospective and Interview by uncredited writer, Rave, November 1964
In a lonely caravan Rave finds the man who started it all. Name... Ken Brown ...
The Fourmost: "Why We Copied The 4 Tops"
Interview by Peter Jones, Record Mirror, 21 November 1964
THE MAJORITY of Juke Box Jury panellists — that is, three out of the four — hammered the Fourmost's new single 'Baby, I Need Your ...
The Searchers: Strings and Searchers!
Interview by David Griffiths, Record Mirror, 26 December 1964
THERE THEY were — four Searchers in a Pye recording studio. Said Chris Curtis: "We're doing a new album, an elaborate one using strings." ...
Cilla Black: Cilla Is Knocked Out By New Disc!
Interview by Keith Altham, New Musical Express, 8 January 1965
KEITH ALTHAM meets a sun-tanned singing star and discovers... ...
Billy J. Kramer: Billy J: "It Isn't Going To Last Forever"
Interview by Dawn James, Rave, March 1965
HE LOOKED down at the emptying street below the dressing-room window. He was thoughtful, silent, the boy who has had so many successes and who ...
The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Roy Orbison: Derek Taylor's Life With The Beatles
Memoir by Derek Taylor, KRLA Beat, 9 June 1965
Recalls First Meeting When He Marveled At Their Magnetism ...
The Beatles: Derek Taylor Recalls Early Beatle Appeal
Memoir by Derek Taylor, KRLA Beat, 16 June 1965
(Editor's note: Last week Derek Taylor began the story of his association with the Beatles. He told of attending a concert in which he first ...
The Beatles, Cilla Black, George Harrison, Tommy Quickly, Ringo Starr: Liverpool: Home Town
Report and Interview by Sylvia Stephens, Fabulous, 19 June 1965
...that's Liddypool, home of so many greats in the pop world, and from the streets where they lived Fab's SYLVIA STEPHEN reports... ...
The Beatles: Derek Taylor: My Life With The Beatles — Beatlemania Grips England
Memoir by Derek Taylor, KRLA Beat, 23 June 1965
(Editor's Note: This is the third and concluding installment of Derek Taylor's life with the Beatles, first as a newspaperman covering their exciting rise to ...
Interview by Nick Jones, Melody Maker, 21 May 1966
The New-Look duo make it in their own right ...
It's All Smiles at the Two-Week Old Cavern Again
Report by Alan Walsh, Melody Maker, 13 August 1966
TWO WEEKS after the barrage of publicity at the opening, it's all smiles at Liverpool's Cavern Club again. ...
Live Review by Penny Valentine, Disc and Music Echo, 4 February 1967
Ball at the Albert Hall ...
Various Artists: Mersey Beat ’62-‘64
Review by Ken Barnes, Phonograph Record, December 1974
IN THE LITANY of wondrous 1974 reissues which led off my review of Odds & Sods/Backtrackin' last issue, I neglected to shower proper praises on ...
The Tremeloes: Tremeloes: Even the Bad Times are Good
Report by Ken Barnes, Phonograph Record, May 1976
THE TREMELOES have a problem – they've been too successful. 15 years together (the first five, backing Brian Poole) and upwards of a dozen pop ...
Interview by Julian Henry, Underground, January 1988
The La's earn 'totally normal' tag! ...
The Beatles and Astrid Kirchherr: They Loved Stu Yeah Yeah Yeah
Report and Interview by John Harris, New Musical Express, 2 April 1994
They weren't always old men owning half of Scotland and giving all their money to spiritual motor racing gurus. On the eve of a Beatles ...
Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry Marsden's Beating Heart
Profile and Interview by Chris Bourke, The New Zealand Herald, March 1997
GERRY MARSDEN will never walk alone. All he needs to do is go to Anfield and watch his beloved Liverpool football team. He can sit ...
Retrospective by Jon Savage, The Guardian, 18 December 1998
Jon Savage describes how Brian Epstein fell victim to drugs and the pressures of being a secret homosexual. ...
Paul McCartney: The Cavern, Liverpool
Live Review by David Sinclair, Rolling Stone, 20 January 2000
IN ITS OWN downbeat English way, Mathew Street in Liverpool is as much a shrine to the Beatles as Graceland is to Elvis. Walk up ...
Book Excerpt by Phil Hardy, Dave Laing, The Faber Companion to 20th-Century Popular Music, 2001
Ray Ennis, b. 26 May 1942, Liverpool, England; Ralph Ellis, b. 8 March 1942, Liverpool (replaced 1965 by Terry Sylvester, b. 8 January 1945, Liverpool); ...
Film/DVD/TV Review by Steven R Rosen, Blurt, September 2009
Gerry & the Pacemakers, Dusty Springfield, Herman's Hermits and Small Faces get the first-class treatment. ...
Retrospective and Interview by Alan Clayson, Record Collector, Fall 2011
Alan Clayson investigates British artists of the 1960s whose early output included records issued only in Germany. ...
Retrospective by David Burke, Vintage Rock, Winter 2012
THE BEATLES may have come from Liverpool, England – but they were made in Hamburg, Germany. That, at least, is the view of Allan Williams, ...
Obituary by Richard Williams, The Guardian, 17 September 2013
THE CAREER OF the Liverpool-born singer and songwriter Jackie Lomax, who has died aged 69, seemed set on a golden path when he became one ...
The Beatles: Derek Taylor: As Time Goes By (Faber)
Book Review by Mick Brown, Sunday Telegraph, 5 May 2018
ONE MAGICAL weekend in the summer of 1968, Derek Taylor, the press agent for the Beatles, took a trip with Paul McCartney and the singer ...
The Beatles: From Beetles to Beatles: It was 60 years ago today
Essay by Simon Warner, Kerouac.com, 1 June 2020
How Beat and a British poet changed the history of rock music ...
Obituary by Spencer Leigh, The Guardian, 11 January 2023
Singer and guitarist with the Dominoes, Merseybeat rivals to the Beatles in the early 1960s ...
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