The Searchers, recognized as Britain’s longest-running pop band, will be making their final bow at Glastonbury 2025.
The legendary group, which has reportedly performed for 70 years, will be making its final appearance this year with a farewell tour in the UK during the summer festival season. As per a report by BBC, the band was formed in 1957 by John McNally and Mike Pender in Liverpool.
The band has sold over 50 million albums since its inception. The decision to retire is influenced by the age of the band members and the challenges they face while touring. They cited heavy traffic as one of the main reasons, along with long drives, which have become more difficult as they grow older, according to The Sun.
81-year-old bassist Frank Allen told The Guardian:
“There was never a problem with recovering from a show because that's the thing that brings you to life. We were always fit to do a show. It's just the driving up and down motorways.”
Some of their major hits include Sugar and Spice, Needles and Pins, and Don't Throw Your Love Away, as indicated in a report by BBC. The Searchers’ Final Farewell Tour is set to begin on June 14, 2025, and will conclude with their first-ever performance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 27, 2025.
What else do we know about the iconic band?
Read more: HAIM Celebrates the Release of 'Relationships' After a Seven-Year Journey
Exploring the iconic band of the sixties, The Searchers, as they end their musical journey
After its formation in 1957, The Searchers gained fame during the Merseybeat era alongside The Beatles. The band has reportedly undergone several lineup changes since its inception. Initially established as a skiffle band, it was founded by John McNally and Mike Pender. They were later joined by Tony Jackson and drummer Joe Kelly.
Kelly was quickly replaced by Norman McGarry, who in turn was succeeded by Chris Curtis in 1960, according to a report in Last.fm. Throughout their history, the band has seen many members come and go. Their current lineup comprises Allen, McNally, Spencer James, and Richie Burns, as mentioned in The Independent.
While speaking to The Guardian, bassist and singer Frank Allen, who joined the band in 1964, revealed the reason why the band has decided to quit:
“Age slows you down a bit,” said. “We did between 180 and 200 shows a year. But driving up and down the motorways is the hard part because the traffic is so much heavier than it ever was…”
83-year-old guitarist John McNally, the original member who formed the band at the age of 16, added:
“The traffic is now an absolute nightmare.”
Allen further expressed his excitement about performing at Glastonbury, according to BBC:
"I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us - until now.” He said.
"The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can't wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast."
McNally said:
"A Glastonbury debut at 83, can anyone top that? I don't think life gets any better, does it?
Trending
Allen revealed that The Searchers had already decided to quit in 2019. “We were getting on, we were well past retirement age and we’d been doing 200 shows a year up until that point,” he said, as reported by The Independent.
As per reports, there have been no specific details about their previous performances, but the band has indicated that they have been touring regularly.
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
