We thought you would be interested in a review on some of the other British Invasion favorites, even though you are probably well aware of what happened to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones during the previous 50 years. We’ve provided some history on the following significant performers welcomed to America during that thrilling era for those of you who weren’t around in ’64.
Herman’s Hermits
Peter Noone, the main vocalist and child actor of Herman’s Hermits, was just 15 when they scored their first hit after forming in April 1964 in Manchester, England. One of their best-selling albums was “Mrs. Trevor Peacock’s “Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” Murray/”Henry Weston’s I’m VIII, I Am,” Gerry Goffin/Carole King’s “I’m Into Something Good,” and Carole King’s “Silhouettes” (Frank C. Slay Jr. and Bob Crewe). Peter Noone, Barry Whitwam, Derek Leckenby, Karl Greene, and Keith Hopwood made comprised the initial ensemble.
Peter and Gordon
Due to their beautiful harmonies, Peter Asher and Gordon Waller were generally referred to as Britain’s Everly Brothers. Paul McCartney’s “A World Without Love,” which Peter and Gordon released in the springtime of 1964, became the first non-Beatles top 1 song of the British Invasion. Del Shannon’s “I Go to Pieces,” Phil Spector’s “To Know You is to Love You,” Paul McCartney’s “Woman,” Buddy Holly and Norman Petty’s “True Love Ways,” and Del Shannon’s “I Don’t Want to See You Again” were a few of the hits (John Lennon-Paul McCartney). Gordon and Peter both contributed writing, usually b-sides. Four years later, they broke up.
Gerry and the Pacemakers
I’ll Never Walk Alone author Gerry Marsden is still on the road today. “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” and “Ferry Cross the Mersey” are two of the Liverpool group’s most well-liked songs (Marsden – Marsden – Chadwick – Maguire). Gerry and the Pacemakers, the second band Brian Epstein oversaw, had tremendous success up to their dissolution in 1967.
Dave Clark Five
In just three years, The Dave Clark Five amassed eight Top-10 songs, 15 and 15 albums, and made more appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show than any other band. The band wrote the majority of its tunes, particularly Dave Clark and Mike Smith. The band, made up of Dave, Mike, Lenny Davidson, Denis Payton, and Rick Huxley, had hits including “Catch Us if You Can” (also the name of their movie), “Glad All Over,” “Having A Wild Weekend,” “Because,” “Can’t You See That She’s Mine,” and “Bits and Pieces.” The group disbanded in 1971.
Petula Clark
Petula Clark started her career as a child performer in radio and shows in England during World War II, and she later presented a number of early British television shows. With 15 Top Ten singles, she was a welcome “invader” in the United States. The songs “Downtown,” “I Know a Place,” and “A Sign of the Times” were all compositions by Tony Hatch.
The Kinks
This group, which included brothers Ray and Dave Davies, Peter Quaife, and Mick Avory, had its biggest hits during this time with Ray Davies’ compositions “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All Of Night.” After their 1965 tour, the group was prohibited from entering the United States until 1969 due to a dispute with the American Musicians’ Union. Later, Ray’s X-Ray and Dave’s Kink, the brothers’ individual memoirs, were both published. Even yet, Ray and Dave are still on the road independently.
Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas
The popular British band The Dakotas hooked up with Liverpool native Billy J. Kramer, who was discovered and handled by Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles (Mike Maxfield, Robin Macdonald, Tony Mansfield and Ray Jones, who was replaced by Mick Green when he left the band in 1964). Due to their relationship to the Beatles, the group received numerous Lennon-McCartney tunes, which they successfully recorded. The group’s biggest accomplishment, however, was the Mort Schuman/John Jeslie McFarland written “Little Children.” Though they dissolved in 1967, Billy has never ceased playing, still touring heavily today. These songs included “Bad to Me,” “I’ll Keep You Satisfied,” and “From a Window.”
The Searchers
The Searchers (John McNally, Mike Pender, Tony Jackson, and Chris Curtis) achieved success with “Don’t Throw Your Love Away,” “What Have They Done To The Rain,” and “Needles and Pins” (Malvina Reynolds) (Jackson-Wisner). The tour is still going on.
Dusty Springfield
“I Only Want to Be With You,” “The Look of Love” (by Burt Bacharach and Hal David), and “Son of a Preacher Man” were some of her hits (John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins). She has received a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. She was making a return until she passed away from cancer in March 1999. There are plans to make a film on her life, starring Joely Fisher. A double-CD of about 50 of her tracks was released in February 2004.
Manfred Mann
The Shirelles’ “Sha La La” (Luther Dixon/Robert Mosley/Curtis Ousley/Robert Taylor) and the Exciters’ “Doo Wah Diddy” (Jeff Barrie/Ellie Greenwich), respectively, were covered by Manfred Mann, who made a significant contribution to British Invasion. The ensemble, now known as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, later recorded versions of Bob Dylan’s “If You Gotta Go, Go Now” and “The Mighty Quinn.”
Chad and Jeremy
In the 1960s, Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde enjoyed enormous popularity. They even immigrated to the United States and appeared in American television shows including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Batman, The Patty Duke Show, and Laredo. “Yesterday’s Gone” (Stuart/Wendy Kidd) and “A Summer’s Song” (Metcalfe/Noble/Stuart) were two of their folk-influenced successes. Reunited, Chad and Jeremy are collaborating on a new acoustic record. In the spring of 2004, they started going on tour once more.
Cilla Black
Her new autobiography What’s It All About? lists two Burt Bacharach songs, “Alfie” and “Anyone Who Had A Heart,” as two of Black’s hits among the performers managed by Brian Epstein. is one of the top five best-selling books in Britain, where she spent 18 years hosting the hit TV program Blind Date (quitting in January 2003). Beginnings, her 15th album, was made available on EMI.
Marianne Faithfull
She scored successes with “This Little Bird,” “As Tears Go By,” and “Come And Stay With Me before she started creating her own songs (“Sister Morphine” with Jagger and Richards) (Jackie DeShannon). In 1979, her Broken English CD launched her return, and she is still active as a performer. Together with David Dalton, she co-wrote her autobiography, Faithful.
Freddie and the Dreamers
In addition to their other songs like “I’m Telling You Now” (Garrity/Murray), Freddie and the Dreamers were most known for their version of “The Freddie” (Pomus-Appell) and the associated dance. Freddie Garrity, who is essentially retired, is penning a book. After the trio stopped touring, Freddie worked as an actor on stage, movies, and on television, including as the lead in a well-known British children’s program. On December 4, 2002, drummer Bernie Dwyer died from cancer. Roy Crewson owns Churchill’s pub in the Canary Islands, while Derek Quinn and his wife of many years lead a tranquil existence. Peter Birrell works as a taxi driver.