Classic 60s band to play Southsea

Frank Allen was very happy to call it a day “and just be a retired old gentleman" when The Searchers finished their last tour at the end of March 2019.

But he was approached, lunched and persuaded – and here they are again, launching out on their Thank You Tour with dates including Sunday, May 7 at Southsea’s Kings Theatre; Thursday, May 11 at Crawley’s The Hawth; and on Friday, June 9 at Eastbourne’s Hippodrome Theatre.

When John McNally formed The Searchers in 1957, aged just 16, he could never have imagined the phenomenal success that his band would enjoy: 50 million record sales, 13 UK chart hits including three number ones and a sound that inspired some of the greatest artists of all time, including The Byrds, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

It’s an astonishing catalogue that they will be bringing back to the concert platform with songs including When You Walk In The Room, Goodbye My Love, Sugar & Spice, What Have They Done To The Rain as well as their three UK chart-toppers Sweets for my Sweet (1963), Needles and Pins (1964) and Don’t Throw Your Love Away (1964). And all in a year in which Frank – as indeed do Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – turns 80.

“I never really think about age.

"It certainly doesn't bother me. I'm not sure I'm going to particularly celebrate it. I' ve stopped having a big parties. I had big parties for 40 and 50 and 60 but you always seem to end up doing the work yourself. I will be very happy just to go out for a meal.”

Tickets for the shows are available from the venues.