COMBINED, THESE 7 ACTS HAVE BEEN GOING FOR OVER 400 YEARS!
This is a chance to experience a unique tour featuring seven 1960s superstar acts, playing some of the hits that shaped 20th century pop culture in Britain and across the world.
Fans will be treated to a staggering 63 Top 10 hits during the course of the evening, 21 of which were No.1 smashes.
And – in between – some incredible stories and memories from some true giants of the post-war pop generation.
These guys mixed it with Elvis, The Beatles, the Stones, The Who and more. They had hits, misses, screaming fans and adventures that took them across the world and into the hearts of millions, as they tore down the old rules and created a new, modern pop culture, to some of the most memorable tunes of all time.
The line-ups may have changed over the years, but the DNA remains. Make no mistake: these musicians are the real deal.
HERMAN’S HERMITS ‘Manchester’s First Mega Band’
One of the biggest selling acts of the ‘60s, these Manchester hit-makers had 23 hit singles, 10 hit albums, and sold more than 75 million records. ‘There’s A Kind Of Hush’, “Silhouettes”, “Can’t You Hear My Heart Beat”, “Wonderful World”, “A Must To Avoid” are just a few. Legendary drummer Barry Whitwam was there in 1964 – and he is still playing today.
MARMALADE ‘Scotland’s First Mega Band’
If the Hermits were Manchester’s first Mega Band, then Marmalade was Scotland’s, becoming the first Scottish act to hit the No.1 spot on the UK chart, with their Lennon-McCartney hit “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da” in 1969. Innovative, versatile and great harmonies to boot, other big hits included “Lovin’ Things”, ‘Reflections Of My Life” and “Falling Apart At The Seams”. Sandy Newman (vocals, guitar, keys, joined 1973) continues to be the star of the show after fifty years as front-man.
STEVE ELLIS ‘Scored a No.1 Hit before he’d even signed a record contract’
Young Steve Ellis was just 16 when his band Love Affair hit the No.1 spot with ‘Everlasting Love’. Their rise to fame was so rapid the band had not even signed their contract with CBS Records before hitting the top spot! Although still in their teens, this young London band had paid their dues, playing every small venue, party and show they could before hitting the big time. A further three Top 20 singles followed: “Rainbow Valley”, “Bringing On Back The Good Times” and “A Day Without Love”. Like all the bands on this tour, Steve’s voice remains as good as ever and fans will be time-warped back to 1967…
SPENCER JAMES – OF THE SEARCHERS ‘Guitarist in the Longest Running Band In UK Pop History’
Guitarist and singer Spencer James has only been in The Searchers a mere 37 years(!)… and he plays like he’s been there since the beginning. The Searchers have just completed their final tour and were featured on ITV News at Ten as the ‘Longest Running Band In UK Pop History’. Here’s a chance to once again enjoy those wonderful hit songs from the iconic Merseyside band, including “Needles And Pins”, “Don’t Throw Your Love Away” “Sweets For My Sweet” and many more.
DAVE BERRY ‘The biggest-selling hit single in the history of the Benelux nations’
Sheffield singer Dave Berry is the artist’s artist: he’s played alongside Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Mayall and opened for the Stones. Ray Davies included Dave in his 2011 Meltdown Festival, 46 years after writing ‘This Strange Effect’ which became a No.1 hit… and the aforementioned biggest selling single in Benelux chart history. Other massive chart-topping hits were “The Crying Game”, “Little Things” “Memphis Tennessee” and “Mama”. Still sounding and looking great, no wonder MOJO Magazine described Dave Berry as “one of the great under-rateds”.
‘60th Anniversary of Merseybeat stars who worked alongside The Beatles’
Liverpool was the epicentre of music in the late 50s and 60s. The Fourmost signed to Brian Epstein’s management firm 60 years ago – 1963 – and had access to the song-writing genius of The Beatles. The hits immediately followed: “Hello Little Girl” and “I’m in Love”, written by Lennon and McCartney-Lennon, respectively. Their biggest hit, “A Little Loving”, written by Russ Alquist for the Fourmost, peaked at No.6 a year later.
GERRY’S PACEMAKERS ‘Liverpool’s true Anthem Makers?’
Gerry Marsden passed away in 2021 but the legacy lives on, with Gerry’s Pacemakers. In 1963 the band got out of the blocks even faster than The Beatles: their first 3 singles all hit the No.1 spot – a record unsurpassed until fellow Liverpudlians, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, over twenty years later. These songs, “I like It”, “ How Do You Do It” and the anthemic “You’ll Never Walk Alone” feature in the set, alongside “Ferry Cross The Mersey” and other golden greats.
Catch Sixties Gold at the Opera House on Friday 20 October. Book your tickets here.
