MERSEYBEATS“Milkman”
Formed around 1961 by Billy Kinsley and Tony Crane as a duo naming themselves The Mavericks, for a short while they called themselves The Pacifics, before being re-named The Mersey Beats in April 1962. Later in 62’, now as a four-piece with Aaron Williams and John Banks, the groups name was re-titled THE MERSEYBEATS. They were signed to the Brian Epstein organization, but Epstein failed to supply The Merseybeats with the same classy suits that he had given The Beatles, there was a dispute between artist and management. The bands displeasure brought an end to their relationship, the spilt with Epstein is something the group regret to this day.
The Merseybeats signed a record deal with Fontana and received their first big hit in 1963 with ‘It’s Love That Really Counts’ followed in 1964’ by their million selling recording ‘I Think of You’ which raced up the top ten and presented them with their first gold disc. The Merseybeats adopted their own distinctive style of fashion, the sartorial elegance they would have liked under Epstein. New tailoring saw them credited as the ‘Best Looking Group’ dressed in tight fitting suits with bolero jackets and frilly shirts, their outfits complete with high heeled zip boots provoked hysteria from their female fans. They received success with two more major hits, ‘Don’t Turn Around’ and ‘Wishin & Hopin’, Other successful recordings include ‘Last Night’ ‘Don’t Let It Happen To Us’ ‘I Love You Yes I Do’ ‘I Stand Accused’. ‘Mister Moonlight‘ ‘Really Mystified‘ ‘The Fortune Teller‘ ‘Lovely Loretta’ and ‘It’s Love That Really Counts’. By 1965 Billy Kinsley left to be replaced by legenday bassist John Gustafson. The Merseybeats appeared regularly at Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club and they hold the distinction of appearing with The Beatles on more occasions than any other band from that era. Their success brought them international recognition, 1964 saw The Merseybeats appearing in Germany, the U.S.A. and even having their own Merseybeats Show on Italian television. In 1966 Tony Crane and a returning Billy Kinsley went out as a vocal duo shortening their name to The Merseys fronting a band known as The Fruit Eating Bears, they had an enormous hit with ‘Sorrow’ which has become a sixties classic and mentioned as a favourite by many stars. David Bowie even recorded a version ‘as a tribute to his favourite band!.
Billy Kinsley: Rhythm guitar, bass and lead vocals. Kinsley was the other founder member. He has been in and out of the group. In 2002 he was in playing here in Denmark led by Tony Crane and his son.
Aaron Williams: Rhythm guitar. Was with the band from 1962-65
John Banks: Drums. Was with the band from 1962-65.
John Gustafson: Bass. Replaced Kinsley around 1964. Gustafson has achieved himself a legendary status as a terrific bass-played and was playing with Roxy Music on several of their records
1. The Merseybeats - Fontana TL 5210 - 1964 Tracks:
Tracks:
3. Greatest Hits ( re-recordings ) - London 1977 Tracks:
4. Beat and Ballads ( comp.) - Edsel 1982 Tracks:
5. The Very Best of the Merseybeats - Spectrum 1998 Tracks:
6. I Think of You [the Complete Recordings] - Bearf 2003 Tracks:
7. Merseys, The A & B Sides, Rarities & More : 1964-1968 - Oxford 2005 Tracks:
Essential Album!
Original album as listed and rated on “Rate Your Music” - December 25 - 2005
154 The Merseybeats - 1964
1. I Love You, Yes I Do ( Wood/Sailor/Marcus/Nix/Glover ) Single 1965 2. Sorrow ( Feldman/Goldstein/Gottehrer ) Single 1966 3. Milkman ( Crane/Gustafson ) The Merseybeats 4. Really Mystified ( Crane/Gustafson ) The Merseybeats 5. Don´t Turn Around ( Stirling ) The Merseybeats 6. It´s Love That Really Counts ( Bacharach/David ) Single 1963 7. See Me Back ( Crane/Gustafson ) Single 1964 8. Last Night ( Springer/Kaye ) Single 1964 9. I Stand Accused ( Colton/Smith ) Single 1965 10. Wishing and Hopin´ ( Bacharach/David ) The Merseybeats - Germany 11. Don´t Let it Happen to Us ( Edwards/David ) Single 1965 12. So Sad About Us ( Townshend ) Single 1966 13. I Think of You ( Stirling ) Single 1963 14. It Would Take a Long Long Time ( Crane/Williams ) Single 1965 15. American Dream ( Trad. Crane ) Greatest Hits 77 16. He Will Break Your Heart ( Butler/Mayfield) The Merseybeats 17. Fools Like Me ( Clement/Maddox) The Merseybeats 18. The Cat ( Greenaway/Cook) Single 1967 19. Dreaming ( Campbell ) B-side 1968 20. Take Me For a Little While ( Gustafson ) J. G. single 1965 21. Mark of Her Head ( Gustafson ) Quotations single 1968 LINKS:
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