Frank Allen (bassist)
Encyclopedia
Frank Allen is an English bass guitar
ist. He has played bass guitar with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
and The Searchers
(since 1964 when he replaced original bass guitarist Tony Jackson), who he is still with today. Allen joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as rhythm guitarist in 1961, changed over to bass guitar early 1962 following the departure of Ben Jordan. Almost immediately began playing fingerstyle and slapping the bass, almost unheard of at the time in the U.K. This style was copied by many Merseyside bass guitarists who played alongside the Rebel Rousers at the Star Club in Hamburg where he met and became friends with The Searchers in early 1963.
When Tony Jackson left in August 1964 after a meteoric rise to fame and a string of hits ("Sweets for My Sweet
", "Sugar and Spice
", "Needles and Pins" etc.) Allen was asked to join the group. Almost immediately they went into PYE studios to record "When You Walk in the Room
", a slightly new sound with Mike Pender and Frank Allen singing a dual lead line and first use of the electric twelve string guitar on one of their singles (the 12 string sound on "Needles and Pins" was in fact a resonance of two 6 string guitars).
Lately, Allen has turned to writing as a parallel occupation with a highly praised and humorous book of touring recollections called Travelling Man in 1999 (Aureus Publishing) as well as articles for newspapers and periodicals. His new offering, a definitive and detailed biography of the Searchers entitled The Searchers And Me - A History of the Legendary Sixties Hitmakers, was published by Aureus in April 2009. Consisting of over four hundred pages plus more than 160 photographs and illustrations both archive and current, it is a major account(noted writer Paul DuNoyer in his review called it a brilliant image of the British music industry) of the life of this important British group.
The Searchers, with Allen on bass guitar, founder member John McNally on lead guitar and twelve string and now aided by Spencer James
(lead vocals since 1986) and with Scott Ottaway
replaing Eddie Roth (drums) in March 2010, still tour constantly and remain the band with the heaviest touring schedule on their circuit.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist. He has played bass guitar with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two Top 10 hits with "One Way Love" and "Got to Get You into My Life" ....
and The Searchers
The Searchers (band)
The Searchers are an English beat group, who emerged as part of the 1960s Merseybeat scene along with The Beatles, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and Gerry & The Pacemakers....
(since 1964 when he replaced original bass guitarist Tony Jackson), who he is still with today. Allen joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as rhythm guitarist in 1961, changed over to bass guitar early 1962 following the departure of Ben Jordan. Almost immediately began playing fingerstyle and slapping the bass, almost unheard of at the time in the U.K. This style was copied by many Merseyside bass guitarists who played alongside the Rebel Rousers at the Star Club in Hamburg where he met and became friends with The Searchers in early 1963.
When Tony Jackson left in August 1964 after a meteoric rise to fame and a string of hits ("Sweets for My Sweet
Sweets for My Sweet
"Sweets for My Sweet" is a song written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, originally recorded by The Drifters. The group's first single featuring Charlie Thomas on lead vocal, "Sweets for My Sweet" reached #16 in October 1961. This was one of the few post-1958 Drifters singles...
", "Sugar and Spice
Sugar and Spice (song)
"Sugar and Spice" is a 1963 song by Merseybeat band The Searchers written by Tony Hatch under the pseudonym Fred Nightingale. It made number two on the UK charts and number 44 in the USA charts....
", "Needles and Pins" etc.) Allen was asked to join the group. Almost immediately they went into PYE studios to record "When You Walk in the Room
When You Walk In The Room
"When You Walk in the Room" is a song written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon, first released by her in 1963 but covered by many artists. The lyrics of the song attempt to detail the singer's emotions when in the presence of the person he or she loves...
", a slightly new sound with Mike Pender and Frank Allen singing a dual lead line and first use of the electric twelve string guitar on one of their singles (the 12 string sound on "Needles and Pins" was in fact a resonance of two 6 string guitars).
Lately, Allen has turned to writing as a parallel occupation with a highly praised and humorous book of touring recollections called Travelling Man in 1999 (Aureus Publishing) as well as articles for newspapers and periodicals. His new offering, a definitive and detailed biography of the Searchers entitled The Searchers And Me - A History of the Legendary Sixties Hitmakers, was published by Aureus in April 2009. Consisting of over four hundred pages plus more than 160 photographs and illustrations both archive and current, it is a major account(noted writer Paul DuNoyer in his review called it a brilliant image of the British music industry) of the life of this important British group.
The Searchers, with Allen on bass guitar, founder member John McNally on lead guitar and twelve string and now aided by Spencer James
Spencer James
Spencer Frederick James is an English singer and musician. He has been the lead singer of veteran pop band The Searchers since 1986. James was also a member of the one-hit wonder band The First Class that scored a #4 hit with the song "Beach Baby".-Career:James grew up in Hayes, Middlesex...
(lead vocals since 1986) and with Scott Ottaway
Scott Ottaway
Scott Ottaway is an English drummer and percussionist. He is the drummer for veteran Merseybeat band The Searchers, replacing Eddie Rothe in February 2010.-External links:**...
replaing Eddie Roth (drums) in March 2010, still tour constantly and remain the band with the heaviest touring schedule on their circuit.
Further reading
- Frank Allen: The Searchers and Me - A history of the Legendary Sixties Hitmakers
- Frank Allen: Travelling Man - On the Road with The Searchers
- The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll – 3rd Edition
- The 1000 UK Number One Hits