Searchers come to town

If you will allow this digression from sports, I must share the excitement of participating in bringing back the hit ‘60s British pop group Searchers to perform here after a 38-year absence.

As some of you know, I am an avid collector of British pop music that traces its roots to the so-called British Invasion led by the Beatles in the ‘60s. My collection of music from that era is probably the widest in the country. My library not only contains hundreds of albums and CDs but also videos and books of Beatboom artists from the Animals and the Hollies to Herman’s Hermits and the Dave Clark Five.

I was influenced to like this music by my high school classmate Peter McMahon, an Australian who is now a successful lawyer in Sydney. Peter and I were teenagers when we watched the Searchers perform in one of four sellout shows at the Araneta Coliseum in 1966.

A few years ago, my wife Menchu and I were treated by our English friend Mike Neal to watch the Searchers in a concert at Chesham, a small town about a two-hour train ride from London. The Searchers lineup featured founding rhythm guitarist John McNally and bassist Frank Allen who were both on the Manila tour. The band rocked for about two hours, playing close to 30 tunes, and the fans couldn’t get enough.

Menchu and I went backstage to congratulate the Searchers and introduced ourselves as probably their biggest Filipino fans. McNally and Allen said they remember Manila fondly and were open to the idea of making a comeback.

Back home, I broached the idea of a Searchers "homecoming" to my good friend and DZRJ disc jockey Steve O’Neal–Danee Samonte in real life. Things fell into place when Danee looked around for another act to follow up his success in bringing over Pat Upton of Spiral Starecase here last February. Before long, Danee was exchanging e-mails with the Searchers manager Alan Field.

With the project in the oven, Danee and I invited Bobby Grimalt to share his expertise in producing the show. Bobby was involved in the Searchers shows in 1966 as a producer for Ramon Ramos’ Cavalcade Promotions. Then, Bobby sought out Luke Pasiliao, outgoing Araneta Coliseum manager and incoming head of Solar Entertainment.

When Solar owners Wilson and William Tieng found out about the project from Luke, they were ecstatic. It turned out that the Tieng brothers are long-time Searchers fans. Solar eventually joined forces with Danee and Luke to complete the promoters cast.

Of all the British pop bands of the ‘60s, my favorite is the Searchers. I’ve got over 50 CDs of the band, including a rare Italian bootleg of a Swedish concert on the Yellow Dog label. My collection also includes four videos, Allen’s book "Travelling Man" (with a personalized dedication) and dozens of books on the British Invasion prominently mentioning the Searchers.

So you can understand why I’m excited about the Searchers concert at the Hard Rock Café in Glorietta, Makati, this Friday and the "homecoming" show at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

The Searchers are arriving early this afternoon from London via Brunei. They’re billeted at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Hotel. Tomorrow, the band will meet the press at the Hard Rock Café for lunch. Danee confirmed 10 songs in the Searchers’ set list for the Manila concerts–"Sweets For My Sweet" "Don’t Throw Your Love Away" "Sugar and Spice" "Da Doo Ron Ron" "Love Potion No. 9" "Needles and Pins" "What Have They Done to the Rain" "Goodbye My Love" "Twist and Shout" and "When You Walk in the Room." At least 10 more songs will be added, probably including "Farmer John" "Ain’t Gonna Kiss Ya" and "Have You Ever Loved Somebody."

McNally and Allen are arriving with lead guitarist Spencer James, drummer Eddie Rothe, sound engineer Phil Hayes and light engineer John Semark. They’re bringing in four guitars, including a 12 stringer, a Roland midi converter, a synthesizer, a snare drum, multi-effects pedals and other accessories.

Like vintage wine, the British band is still swinging in its 40th year on the concert circuit. The secret to the Searchers longevity is their unique Merseyside beat–the ascending three-part harmonies, the jingle-jangle guitar strumming, the 12-string riffs and the melodic rock arrangements to mainstream folk material.

"The Searchers enter their fourth decade in great shape," said music critic Roger Dopson. "They are much more than just a pop group, they’re living legends–a veritable institution, no less."

Join us in celebrating the Searchers "homecoming" at the Hard Rock Café on Friday and the Big Dome on Saturday. For Hard Rock reservations, call 893-4661. For Araneta Coliseum tickets, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.