Welcome to The Merseybeats
official website
For all engagements and enquiries for The Merseybeats
Telephone: 07834194797
Email: admin@themerseybeats.co.uk
Tony Crane MBE
Original Founder member 1961 - present
Lead Guitar / Lead Vocalist
Adrian Crane
Keyboards & Lead Guitar (Tony Crane’s son) Joined 2000 - present
And special guest musicians - photos to follow
"Photographs past and present"
Throughout the decades, The Merseybeats have performed constantly to sell out concerts, they have appeared in a wealth of prestigious venues in many parts of the world
and were personally invited to perform aboard the final cruise of the QE2.
The group can only be described as one of the most powerful and exciting acts performing live music, they still continue to enthral thousands of fans World-wide, they are one of the most popular and authentic sixties bands still performing 50 years on!
A Merseybeats performance is spectacular and pulsating experience, classic hits' Think Of You' 'Wishin & Hopin'
and 'Sorrow' are combined with emotive ballads and explosive pyrotechnic sets.
Tony Crane formed a group called “The Mavericks and played most of the major venues around Liverpool. Bob Wooler, famous booking agent and disc jockey at the Cavern saw The Mavericks perform, he approached Tony Crane asking if they would like a residency at the Cavern. Bob Wooler thought their name sounded too country and western, suggesting a change of name, Tony was happy and agreed this idea. After consultation and agreement with Bill Harry, owner of a Liverpool music paper titled Mersey Beat, Bob Wooler Re-named the group The Mersey Beats.
The Mersey Beats then became resident at the Cavern alongside The Beatles and still hold the record of appearing with The Beatles more than any other artistes.
The Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed the Mersey Beats, and, it is well documented that The Mersey Beats had a dispute with Epstein over suits. When The Beatles changed their drummer, Brian Epstein suggested that Pete Best should join The Mersey Beats, the offer was declined, later they left the management of Brian Epstein. They carried on their own under the guidance of Bob Wooler. The Mersey Beats to this day still regret their decision to leave Brian Epstein.
The Mersey Beats entered a talent competition in Liverpool and won a recording contract with Decca Records. On advice from Bob Wooler turned it down, because Decca were signing too many bands and would not have had enough time to spend on The Mersey Beats. They ended up with a recording contract purely by accident, one of Philips Records A & R men came to The Cavern during a lunchtime session to audition bands for a new record label being formed. Whilst there he saw The Mersey Beats performing, very impressed, he immediately offered them a recording contract which they accepted.
In the summer of 1963 The Mersey Beats released their first single on the NEW label, Fontana Records, “It’s Love That Really Counts” / “The Fortune Teller” which immediately entered the record charts followed up in the autumn by their million-selling "I Think of You" / “Mr Moonlight”, many more hit records followed
“Don’t Turn Around” / “Really Mystified”
“Wishin And Hopin” / “Milkman”
“Last Night”/ “See Me Back”
”Don’t Let It Happen To Us” / “It Would Take A Long Long Time”
“I Love You Yes I Do”/ “Good Good Lovin”
“I Stand Accused” / “All My Life”.
The Mersey Beats were also successful in many other countries and even had their own show on Italian Television. They were reputed to be the third biggest crowd puller after The Beatles and the Stones and maintained their pin-up poster status of good-looking young men wearing tight fitting Spanish styled suits and frilly shirts.
In early 1966, The Mersey Beats drummer and guitarist left the group, Tony Crane took advice and in agreement with new managers, Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, also managers of The Who, shortened their name to The Merseys and performed as a duo. They were backed on stage by a newly formed unique two drumming band called the Fruit Eating Bears, the name chosen by Chris Stamp. To coincide with a nation-wide tour with The Who, The Merseys released "Sorrow", the recording featured mainly session musicians whom later became famous in their own right, as members of Led Zeppelin and Cream. “Sorrow” has become a classic; it was David Bowie and George Harrison’s favourite record from the sixties. David Bowie even recorded a version as a tribute. Over the next few years there were more hit recordings for The Merseys, then towards the end of the sixties The Merseys reverted their name back to The Merseybeats.
TESTIMONIALS
The long first set was crowned by The Merseybeats and they added tales of The Cavern Club to a boisterous
set of enduring pop music. The banter and joy of their set was matched by their hits , I Think Of You and the still marvellous, Sorrow.
There is something to be said of the musicianship and longevity of the group and they exuded warmth.
The Merseybeats added a touch of class to the evening. Theac t will always be associated with Liverpool and the Cavern
Club but their hits still s sound as good as they did back in the 60's. Don't Turn Around, Wishin' and Hopin all were warmly received by the fans. The best part of their s et was their version of Sorrow. David Bowie had the biggest hit with the song but The Merseybeats probably perform the best version. With some witty comments between the songs the band were entertaining to watch and clearly should have been higher up tonight's bill.
The Merseybeats were the best on the bill, both for their singing and for their natural interaction with the audience. Furthermore, they were smartly
dressed too, in matching black slacks and billowing white shirts. With Tony Crane’s son, Adrian, on keyboard, they ran through their repertoire of
hits like ‘I Think of You’, ‘Wishin’ and Hopin’ and The Mersey’s ‘Sorrows’ to great acclaim.
Saw the concert last night, the boys were on fire. EVERYONE at the Pavilion was standing
through Hi Ho Silver Lining, and the circle was full as well, they were fantastic. They had the best reception of the night.
The Merseybeats were the best in the show as usual far superior to all the other acts.
The Merseybeats were fantastic, as always.
Please pass on our thanks to the band for a brilliant show at Folkestone on Saturday. The boys really got the crowd going
and on their feet, in our opinion they should have topped the bill.
So, I finish by repeating something I’ve been saying for years , ‘Why on earth don’t the Merseybeats headline?’ Not only because they
are always the best act (and this is not just my view, but also that of the people I chatted to after the show),
The order should be decided on who is the best act/ group now, not on what might have been thought to be the case (according, eg, to number of No. 1 hits) fifty
or so years ago. It’s about time that these tour organisers recognised the current reality, and gave the Merseybeats the top billing
they have earned and deserve, and stopped being locked into an outdated method of choosing the batting order.
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admin@themerseybeats.co.uk
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