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Post by Amadeus on Jan 5, 2017 22:25:18 GMT
Hey. Here's the spot to discuss the rest of Merseybeat. There are many groups mentioned at length or in passing in The Beatles history. And because Liverpool is a big city, many bands must of had many other centres of activity that aren't The Cavern, The Casbah or The Morgue.
What happened to all these bands after The Beatles took off and left them all behind?
What was the scene really like from, say, 1958 - 1962?
What about the jazzers who switched to rock and roll later on? How did the groups that started out rock and roll/skiffle view them?
Was there a great variety of styles and sounds?
Was the world really black and white as all the old photos seem to suggest?
I imagine that period as some sort of golden age when that type of music was still new. Was it like that?
Rory and the lads were apparently the best rock group in Liverpool for a period. Who rivaled them when the Beatles were still that lousy Beatles group?
This is the place to dump all your experiences or comments or questions.
Go!
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 5, 2017 23:03:01 GMT
I would say you can divide the era up into at least two parts. The early part would be when the Beatles [under whatever name] RSATH, Derry and the Seniors were starting and becoming established. A year or two later was another generation, including the Merseybeats, Clayton Squares, Escorts etc. It was mainly the early groups, which included the Searchers, Gerry, Big Three etc, who made it nationally.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 6, 2017 10:39:55 GMT
The point has been made before that the Merseybeat groups, including the Beatles, were cover bands. That is true, but it is important to note that they were covering music we didn't hear elsewhere. I used to go to a couple of youth clubs, which featured some live music, as well as records. Almost exclusively we got what was in the pop charts at the time, Cliff, Shadows, Adam Faith etc. The first time I went to the Cavern I was exposed to completely different music, and I immediately liked it. I quickly looked forward to hearing those Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson numbers. This was stuff you just didn't get on the radio/tv at the time..... in fact I don't think I ever heard Chuck Berry on the radio until after the Beatles made it big.
One of the best groups on the scene was the "Big Three. A great interview....
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 6, 2017 12:45:38 GMT
Well, I am not saying much until the summer as my next book will be out then ha ha
Brilliant thread.
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Post by Amadeus on Jan 6, 2017 16:34:00 GMT
You wot?
Damn. Like waiting till 2020 for Lewisohns bloody book.
(Clears throat ).
So tell us about your upcoming book old swan (Rory).
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Post by Amadeus on Jan 6, 2017 20:53:07 GMT
Interesting that in Griff's comments he said Lennon may not have made it without Paul because Paul was driven to be a star. So John went along with him. The big three weren't interested on doing the work required to succeed. You have to want it pretty bad no matter how good you are.
Also the makeshift equipment thing is cute. Making the best of what you have. Broke a string? If it's long enough knot it at one end and shove it back in.
Nowadays kids come equipped with a full sound system. No challenge at all.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 6, 2017 21:16:32 GMT
Adrian Barber, the original guitarist for the Big Three, made amps and speaker cabs for several guys, including a massive bass cab for Paul. Adrian stayed in Hamburg and worked at the Star Club as stage manager.
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Post by Amadeus on Jan 6, 2017 23:44:28 GMT
Ah. The 'coffin' speaker.
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 7, 2017 10:32:06 GMT
You wot? Damn. Like waiting till 2020 for Lewisohns bloody book. (Clears throat ). So tell us about your upcoming book old swan (Rory). It is about Mersey Beat characters. Some you may not expect. But that is all I am saying for now. Publishers looking to bring it out this summer. Maybe later in the year though.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 7, 2017 10:52:40 GMT
Looking forward to reading it, Ant
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 8, 2017 20:31:02 GMT
Some music from the Merseybeat scene
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Post by pothos on Jan 8, 2017 22:24:46 GMT
Why did the Merseybeats change their name. I loved their song Sorrow which I first heard as the Bowie version.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 8, 2017 23:00:34 GMT
I think it was when Billy and Tony reformed as a duo. Billy Kinsley has his life story told It's love that really counts I haven't read it, but heard him interviewed about it.
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Post by Amadeus on Jan 9, 2017 14:11:15 GMT
I got this. But isn't this mostly after the signing frenzy caused by The Beatles initial success? I'm keen on knowledge of before the big business involvement. I just feel that it's more interesting. Of course I'm 20 years too young and from the other side of the world so what do I know.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 9, 2017 16:39:46 GMT
That is a great collection of Merseybeat bands and popular songs.
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Post by ROCKY on Jan 10, 2017 23:57:48 GMT
I see the Koobas on there. One of the lesser known Liverpool bands that Brian signed to go on tour with the Beatles on their last British tour in Dec. 1965.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 11, 2017 10:25:28 GMT
Also on that album was Johnny Sandon and the Remo Four....
Johny previously fronted The Searchers. The Remo Four included Colin Manley, generally regarded as one of the best guitarists on the scene. Sadly, Johnny Sandon tragically killed himself.
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Post by ROCKY on Jan 11, 2017 19:48:49 GMT
Here's a LIVE film from the Koobas in Germany 1965/66. it's neat to watch these old live videos. I also like to see what vintage guitars they used.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 12, 2017 10:20:07 GMT
As far as I recall, the Kubas/Koobas came from "over the water" [Wallasey], and played at the Caven quite a bit. On that album above their is a track by Greta Ann. I never heard of her, I'm sure she wasn't a regular on the scene [probably a niece of a record company boss!]
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 12, 2017 15:15:16 GMT
I shall be getting a bit of Merseybeat on Monday. I have a ticket for the V.I.P party at the Cavern to celebrate the 60th Anniversary. The Hurricanes plaque will be unveiled on that day, it is going inside the Cavern. Cilla has her statue as well, outside the original Cavern entrance.
I may take some pics.
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