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The Hollies Forum Index » Elevated Observation » Searcher Chris Curtis dies aged 63
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Mikey Post subject: Searcher Chris Curtis dies aged 63



Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 11
Location: Manchester

The Searchers drummer Curtis dies


Chris Curtis, original drummer of 1960s pop group The Searchers, has died at the age of 63 after a long illness.
Named after the 1956 John Ford western, the Liverpool-based beat combo were formed in 1960 and sold millions of records in their heyday.

Their hits included Needles and Pins, Sugar and Spice and their cover of The Drifters' Sweets For My Sweet.

Curtis - real name Christopher Crummey - stayed with the group until 1966 when he was replaced by John Blunt.

Curtis, from Oldham, was part of the original line-up, which also included Mike Pender, Tony Jackson and John McNally.

Original bassist Tony West said Curtis "was the epitome of the group itself".

"He contributed an awful lot to the vocals and the harmonies - his was the distinctive high voice. He was also a very good drummer.

"I will remember him as full of life and enthusiasm. Although he left the band, he never fully left the musical scene."

Decline in fortunes

The Searchers were signed to Pye Records in 1963 and had their first number one the same year.

The band was rocked in 1964 when Jackson quit the band, to be replaced by Frank Allen, a close friend of Curtis.

But while they had further hits with Love Potion Number 9 and He's Got No Love, the band's fortunes declined after Curtis' departure.

In 1967, Curtis reached number four in the UK with Let's Go To San Francisco, recorded under the alias of The Flowerpot Men.

He then formed Roundabout - the band that went on to become Deep Purple - with his brother Dave, though both dropped out long before the group hit the big time.

Curtis produced records for other performers, notably Paul and Barry Ryan, but his music career faltered and he eventually took a job in the civil service.

All change

After ill-health forced him to retire, he made a belated return to performing and recently sang with charity group The Merseycats.

The Searchers continue to perform on the cabaret circuit, though the line-up has changed over the years.

Pender left the group in 1985 and set up an alternative Searchers, prompting his former bandmates to take legal action over the name.

Tony Jackson died penniless in Nottingham in August 2003 at the age of 63.
PostPosted:Tue Mar 01, 2005 23:02 pm
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Susie Hewett Post subject:
Lead Guitar


Lead Guitar
Joined: 17 Jan 2004
Posts: 652
Location: Australia

Hi Mikey Exclamation

Thanks for the article about Chris. It is sad news indeed, Sad The Serchers are one of my all time favourite bands and I am stunned to learn of Chris's untimely passing. Sad Like Carl and a few others who haved passed away in recent years, Chris was far too young by Today's standards. Sad

My sincere condolences go to Chris's family and friends and may he rest in peace.

Best Wishes

Susie

_________________
Long live The Hollies, may they reign supreme for many more years to come.
PostPosted:Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:28 am
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Cathy60 Post subject:
Banjo


Banjo
Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 40
Location: Australia

I am also stunned at learning of Chris Curtis's untimely passing. I read on the net (The Hollies Yahoogroup I think) that he had diabetes and that's how he died.

Thanks for sending the article about Chris Mikey because without it and people on The Hollies Yahoogroup talking about it, I would not have known that Chris had died because they never mentioned him on the news or in the newspapers, not in Sydney anyway

Bye For Now

Cathy
PostPosted:Mon Mar 07, 2005 0:52 am
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