Remembering The Searchers at Seaton Carew venue in 1964

In 1964, the unsuspecting location of Seaton Carew was used for a Big Beat Night - which included headliners The Searchers. 

The original Searchers Chris Curtis, John McNally, Mike Pender and Tony Jackson took to the stage in the North East as droves of people enjoyed the event.

The Searchers on Seaton Carew Beach in 1964 (Image: IAN WRIGHT) The band, which took their name from the 1958 John Wayne western movie 'The Searchers,' then retreated to their 'home away from home' caravan, which they stayed in on Teesside. 

On the night, the band played 'Needles and Pins', 'When You Walk In The Room', and 'Love Potion Number 9.'

The Searchers in their 'home away from home' caravan (Image: IAN WRIGHT) Playing outside on the beach at the Big Beat  Night at Seaton Carew, there was a line of wooden front doors to deter gatecrashers from wading up the beach, according to the photographer on that night, Ian Wright. 

The photos from the evening were kindly provided by Ian, who photographed for The Northern Echo - and hopefully, the images will bring back great memories for people.

Who were The Searchers? 

The Searchers are one of the eminent groups of the British Invasion in the 1960s.

The English Merseybeat group notably produced hits such as "Sweets for My Sweet", a remake of the Drifters' 1961 hit, and "Sugar and Spice", penned by their producer, Tony Hatch.

The Searchers on stage (Image: IAN WRIGHT) They also remade Jackie DeShannon's "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room," and covered the Orlons' "Don't Throw Your Love Away" and the Clovers' "Love Potion No.9".

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Tied with the Swinging Blue Jeans, they were the second group from Liverpool to hit the US charts after the Beatles.

Beginning as a skiffle group in Liverpool in 1959 by John McNally and Mike Pender, they named the band after the 1956 John Ford western film, The Searchers.

The group emerged from another skiffle group created by McNally in 1957 with Ron Woodbridge, Brian Dolan, and Tony West.