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The combination of The Searchers and Gerry & the Pacemakers has always been a winning formula since the beginnings of the original Solid Silver Sixties Tours, which came about in 1987 following an idea developed by those two groups in the wake of a highly successful tour of the USA the previous year.

Every time the two groups have toured together it has been a case of packed houses across the country. Their music is complementary to each other and their many hits formed the soundtrack to our youth. And when teamed up with the legendary P J Proby and ex-Tremeloes vocalist Chip Hawkes, the forthcoming SIXTIES GOLD tour is without doubt going to be an unmissable event and the list of hits from these major chart acts from which the evenings` programme will be chosen is impressive indeed.

THE SEARCHERS

On this website it is probably not necessary to summarise the wonderful career and longstanding appeal of our favourite band. Despite the many changes throughout the years they have maintained a seamless continuity which has retained many of their original fans whilst attracting a host of new followers to whom the current line-up of John McNally, Frank Allen, Spencer James and (the newest addition) Scott Ottaway is the one they are familiar with and the one they happily recognise and accept as The Searchers.

John and Frank regard the name as a heritage which they have the duty to protect. It is something that is very precious to both of them. But despite the group`s glorious past they refuse to stand still and, rather than simply reproducing their well-loved successes, have always insisted on introducing new material and new arrangements which add light and shade to their shows. This might not satisfy some absolute purists but their devotion to improving the construction and content of their performances (as can be witnessed at any of their incredibly successful solo concerts) has established them as arguably the leaders in their field. The group`s solo tours, built up slowly and carefully over several decades, now often attract as many in the audience as a package tour comprising four or five separate artistes. We don`t believe there are many other acts in their level who can make such a boast.

Hits: Sweets For My Sweet, Sugar & Spice, Needles & Pins, Don`t Throw Your Love Away, Love Potion Number 9, Someday We`re Gonna Love Again, When You Walk In The Room, What Have They Done To The Rain?, Goodbye My Love, He`s Got No Love, Take Me For What I`m Worth, Take It Or Leave It, Have You Ever Loved Somebody?

GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS

Still the cheeky Scouser with the throaty and distinctive voice which dominated the charts through most of the sixties Gerry, essentially a solo star these days with a hand-picked bunch of Pacemakers each of whom is a fine musician, is always guaranteed to deliver the goods. As the years move on the problem of maintaining vocal power and quality which plagues so many performers is not one which has troubled the unstoppable Mr Marsden. If anything maturity has given it greater depth and tone. Nor have the decades dimmed his sense of humour, so much an essential part of his act. How many performers must wish they had an anthem like You`ll Never Walk Alone to call their own? His hit recordings have more than stood the test of time and will doubtless still be sung by others even when Gerry is no longer around to sing them himself.

Hits: How Do You Do It?, I Like It, You`ll Never Walk Alone, I`m The One, Ferry `Cross The Mersey, I`ll Be There, Don`t Let The Sun Catch You Crying, It`s Gonna Be Alright.

P J PROBY

Since being championed by The Searchers when they chose him as the major support for their 2001 Beat Goes On Tour, P J Proby has honed his slick Las Vegas styled act to perfection and proved over the last few years that he has lost nothing. That magnificent voice is still there, still rich and powerful and it continues to make the hairs on your neck stand up with the opening lines from Somewhere and Maria. His interpretation of Mickey Newbury`s American Trilogy, an emotional high spot in his show, has been a spine-tingling memory for so many who have witnessed it.

This rangy Texan is still a highly visual performer and still retains all of the excitement and unpredictability which created banner headlines during his meteoric rise to fame and his equally speedy fall from grace following the disastrous 'trouser splitting' incident of 1965. His resurgence in the new millennium is long overdue. There are too few real 'characters' remaining in the pop firmament and without doubt P J is one of those. He is unique. You should not miss the chance to see him in action.

Hits: Hold Me, Somewhere, Maria, Nicky Hoeky, Let The Water Run Down, Together, I Apologise, That Means A Lot, You`ve Come Back, To Make A Big Man Cry, I Can`t Make It Alone, It`s Your Day Today.

CHIP HAWKES

When Brian Poole departed the Tremeloes for a solo career the lead vocals were handed over to young, good looking Len 'Chip' Hawkes (an ex-chippie from Slough - hence the nickname) who quickly became the heartthrob of the group and the main focus of their fanatical female followers. He was the archetypal pop star, slim and sexy with matinee idol features. The Trems' second bite at the cherry completely eclipsed their initial success and they quickly established themselves as one of the major pop acts of the late sixties/early seventies and for a while they were unbeatable. When the hits finally stopped and Chip tried for a solo career the hits sadly never came but his personal appeal was lasting and he has remained a strong attraction on the nostalgia circuit.

Chip still looks as youthful as he did four decades ago and with such a rich catalogue of chart hits to choose from his appearance on this already impressive bill is going to be a highlight for many.

Hits: Silence Is Golden, Here Comes My Baby, Helule Helule, Call Me Number One, My Little Lady, Twist & Shout, Do You Love Me?, Even The Bad Times Are Good, Someone, Someone, Suddenly You Love Me, Hello World, By The Way, Me And My Life, Hello Buddy, I Shall Be Released.

As we all get older we no doubt wonder how long we will have the good fortune of still being able to see these great performers in person. That is a question no one can answer. Thankfully most seem to be in good shape and in no mood to hang up their guitars. But when a tour with a line-up like this hits the road our advice is to get your tickets early and revel in the artistes and music of a period that will never lose its appeal.

The SIXTIES GOLD Tour, presented by Mark Howes and Robert Pratt in association with Alan Field runs from September 21st through till November 26th. Do check the website for changes. Some dates may still be added.