The Searchers grew out of an earlier skiffle group called The Army Generations, formed by guitarist John McNally in 1955, with his friends Ron Woodbridge on vocals and guitar, Tony West on bass and Joe Kennedy on drums. As The Searchers, they were originally the backing group for singer Johnny Sandon but decided to branch out on their own. When Pye Records recording manager Tony Hatch heard a demo they had made he was so impressed that they were immediately placed under contract. They covered The Drifters' 1961 hit "Sweets For My Sweet" as their first song, and it reached No. 1.
They performed what were intended to be their last shows in 2019, but returned for farewell tours of the UK in 2023 and 2024. They announced their retirement on 22nd March 2025.
Members history
1957 to 1959
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Big Ron: Vocals
Brian Dolan: Guitar
Tony West: Bass
Joe Kennedy: Drums
1960 to Feb 1962
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Tony Jackson: Bass, Vocals
Johnny Sandon: Vocals
Feb 1962 to July 1964
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Tony Jackson: Bass, Vocals
July 1964 to April 1966
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Chris Curtis: Drums, Vocals
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
May 1966 to December 1969
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
John Blunt: Drums
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
January 1970 to December 1985
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Billy Adamson: Drums
Mike Pender: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
1986 to 1998
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Billy Adamson: Drums
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
1998 to 2010
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Rothe: Drums, Vocals
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
2010 to 2019
John McNally: Guitar, Vocals
Scott Ottoway: Drums, Vocals
Spencer James: Guitar, Vocals
Frank Allen: Bass, Vocals
