The Merseybeats, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - review
I know they won’t mind when I say they’re not exactly spring chickens anymore.
Let’s be honest: this is a band that formed in 1961.
But - make no mistake - when The Merseybeats take to the stage they still crackle with energy and that rock and roll zest that was always an over-riding characteristic of the great Liverpool bands.
At Theatre Severn on Friday night they gave the crowd exactly what they wanted: jangling guitars, toe-tapping tunes and hits that (if you were around at the time) can transport you back to the golden decade of pop, the sixties.
They delighted the audience with Wishing and Hoping, with Sorrow (later covered by David Bowie), with the beautiful I Think of You, and with - one of my favourites - the classic Don’t Turn Around.
They are still fronted by two of the original founder members, Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley, although with Billy being temporarily out of action, the abundantly talented Alan Lovell of the Swinging Blue Jeans stood in on this occasion on lead guitar and vocals.
The support band at this charity concert in aid of Crane Quality Counselling were The Dakotas, fantastically entertaining, serving up many a pop classic with great style and humour.
What a great night!
Review by Phil Gillam
