Searchers Mega Medley Glastonbury 2025
Exclusive Searchers 2025 merchandise
Frank Allen Latest News August 2025
Hey there again,
Thank you for logging onto the Searchers site even though we have now officially retired, definitely, probably, maybe, oh for goodness sake who the heck knows? It`s certainly worth checking it out every now and again because we ourselves are so confused.
Way back in 2019 when we played what we thought was going to be the last run of dates I announced on stage that ‘this is the last time we will be playing – until the first of our seven comeback tours. I was joking. Or I thought I was. So far we have completed no less than FOUR final tours.
And having played Glastonbury what is the point of doing any more? You cant really get anything bigger and we dont want our final show to be diluted in any way. I guess another Royal Variety Performance would certainly fit the bill. We did one way back in 1981 when Mike was still in the band and Billy Adamson was on drums. Just one song, Needles & Pins. But thats why doing another RVP would be okay. We wouldnt have to set up a tour in order to get back into playing fitness. And the viewing figures are vast for that show. It`s a great honour.
Another possibility is that maybe the powers that be at Glasto, having suffered an avalache of moans with regard to the ‘longest running name in U.K pop history’ not being filmed on their final show, could invite us back in 2027 (there is no Glasto next year, the fields which need to recover are being left fallow) and maybe on a stage where cameras are not banned.
Mind you, having said that, the staff at the acoustic stage were the friendliest bunch of people you could ever wish to meet. When I mulled over my thoughts with the stage manager following the astonishing ovation we received from a totally packed crowd of 6,000 (he actually said that with the people who were watching from outside the edge of the open sided big top he reckoned it was probably around 7,000) he said ‘No, don`t go to another stage. This one is the best of the lot’. He was probably right. But it would still be nice to film the show and have it transmitted during the amazing Glastonbury weekend. But anyway this is just conjecture. Nothing more.
Full praise in fact to every one of the festival workers. We found nothing but friendliness and efficiency throughtout the whole time we were there. And top marks to Michael and Emily Eavis for having the inspiration and the astonishing energy to organise something like that.
I have also praised just about everyone in our set up in the last newsletter so I won’t start adding names now. Just accept that they did us proud and I hope we did the same for them.. I truthfully don’t think anyone expected us to do as well as we did. Do check out that short video again of our final bow which you can see earlier on this page and enjoy the sight and the sound of not only the ovation they gave us but mainly the astonishing sight of the local sound crew applauding along with the festivalgoers.
I`m not quite sure what everyone of us has been doing since then. I imagine John has been enjoying some family time. His beautiful house in Liverpool is the hub of the family, always lively with the coming and going of children, gardchildren and friends with Mary hosting magnificently as she has always done.
John junior is back in Switzerland where he is permantly based.He keeps in touch with his ‘Uncle Frank’ regularly via Face Time and I always enjoy his video calls. He and wife Jane recently enjoyed a break in Menorca and when I pointed out to them that Tony and Maggie Hatch now resided there we were able to get them together for an evening of drink and nostalgia. My friend Penny Horner who manages the Jermyn Street Theatre in London is in constant contact with Maggie and I understand they had a wonderful evening together. It must have been weird for Tony because John jr looks so much like his dad that to Tony it would have been like enjoying John Snr`s company once again.
I know Spencer has returned to his various solo projects along with some shows where Richie`s band are engaged to accompany him. Graham Clow and Matt Smith are a part of that set up. We are so greatful for Richie, Graham and Matt for their help with the shows. Nice people.
Jimi Howell has been incredibly busy providing the sound for various touring shows which include a Queen tribute act and another presentation charting the success of Sam Phillips and Sun Studios in Memphis where Elvis and all the others that followed sowed the early seeds of rock and roll. Jimi is so good at what he does. One rule at Glastonbury is that there is no sound check, at least not for those on the second tier of stages. Not sure what the rules are for the Pyramid Stage. And with a situation like that you have to trust completely on your sound guy. Needless to say Jimi was brilliant.
And backline tech Robbie? He of the illustrated skin? I was telling you that he has been non stop touring in the U.S.A throught the whole year. And his latest jaunt there began on August 8th with a Nashville based band you’ve probably never heard of called Our Last Night who, would you believe, are on their last tour. Very appropriate to their name, although if they are anything like The Searchers there will probably be another last tour, followed by yet another last tour plus ,,,,,,,,,,and so it goes on. Anyway, I`ll include their schedule in this newsletter to show you the insane schedule that young Rob is working on right through till the end of September.
He sent me some pictures of the tour bus (I’ll put a pic in with this letter) and stuff. Amazing. It certainly is different to our trusty old Ford Transits. This is a differet ball game altogether. But I bet he’s having the time of his life and he deserves it.
I’ve also included some randon photos of the day which include a very old pic of me with Paul McCartney which I came across the other day. You’ve seen the nice one of John, Paul and myself backstage at Glasto so I thought it would be nice to see one from the late 80s. It was taken at a Buddy Holly themed reception that Macca had organised. He owns Buddy’s publishing.
And future events for us? Nothing really, but there is a small presentation for John and myself coming up in Liverpool in October. Its not a show. I wont fill you in with any details right now because I want to have something to write about next time.
Meanwhile, take good care of yourselves and keep checking out the site from time to time.
All the best,
Frank