The Merseybeats

The Merseybeats

Originally called the Mavericks, Tony Crane (born Anthony Crane, 17 April 1945, Anfield, Liverpool) and Billy Kinsley (born William Ellis Kinsley, 28 November 1946, at The Mill Road Hospital, Mill Road, Everton, Liverpool) formed their first band in late 1960 and became the Pacifics in September 1961. They were renamed the Mersey Beats in February 1962 by Bob Wooler, MC at the Cavern Club. Later in April 1962, they became the Merseybeats. By now Crane and Kinsley had joined up with guitarist Aaron Williams (born James Aaron Williams, 23 June 1942, Liverpool) and drummer John Banks (born 23 September 1943, Liverpool – died 20 April 1988).

They signed a recording contract with Fontana and had their first hit single in 1963 with "It's Love That Really Counts", followed in 1964 by their million-selling recording "I Think of You" which gained them their first gold disc. They suffered a setback in February 1964 when Billy Kinsley left to form his own band, the Kinsleys. He was temporarily replaced by Bob Garner (later of the Creation) and permanently by Johnny Gustafson, formerly of the Big Three.

With Gustafson they had two more major hits, "Don't Turn Around" and "Wishin' and Hopin' ". Other successful recordings included "Last Night", "Don't Let it Happen to Us", "I Love You, Yes I Do", "I Stand Accused", "Mr. Moonlight", "Really Mystified" and "The Fortune Teller". Kinsley returned to the group in late 1964.

The Merseybeats appeared regularly at Liverpool's Cavern Club, and they claim to have appeared there with the Beatles on more occasions than any other band from that era. They were also successful abroad, touring in Germany and the US in 1964, and having their own Merseybeats Show on Italian television.

The Merseys

After their initial success had waned, the band folded and in 1966 Crane and Kinsley formed a vocal duo called the Merseys. They had a major hit with their first single, a cover of the McCoys' "Sorrow", which reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart. The introduction on the record featured a bowed bass played by Jack Bruce. A line from this song, "with your long blonde hair and eyes of blue," is included in the Beatles' "It's All Too Much", released in 1969 as part of the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album. David Bowie recorded a single version in 1973 which reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart. The duo split in 1968, with Crane and Kinsley both going on to front a number of other bands.

Tony Crane and The Merseybeats

During the 1970s Crane continued to tour and perform live as Tony Crane and the Merseybeats, with various line-ups.

Liverpool Express

See Liverpool Express

The Merseybeats re-formed

The Merseybeats' founding member and drummer John Banks died on 20 April 1988, at the age of 44.

However, Kinsley and Crane re-formed the Merseybeats in 1993, and after celebrating 45 years in the music industry in 2006, they continued to tour and perform on the 'sixties circuit', and at venues in the UK, and across Europe.

Members

Current

Former

The Fruit Eating Bears (Merseys' backing band; 1966–1969)

Singles

EPs

LPs

CDs

Cassette

Videos

The Merseys discography

The Merseys under the pseudonym Crackers

CD