Originally called the Mavericks, this Liverpool, England-based quartet comprised Tony Crane (b. 17 April 1945, Liverpool, England; vocals/lead guitar), Billy Kinsley (b. 28 May 1946, Liverpool, England; vocals/bass), David Ellis (rhythm guitar) and Frank Sloan (drums). In 1962, long before the Beatles put Liverpool on the musical map, they renamed themselves the Merseybeats. Early line-up changes saw Ellis and Sloan replaced by Aaron Williams (b. 23 June 1942, Liverpool, England) and John Banks (b. 23 September 1943, Liverpool, England, d. 20 April 1988, England). By mid-1963, Beatlemania had engulfed the UK, and A&R representatives descended upon Liverpool in search of talent. The Merseybeats were scooped up by Fontana Records and initially signed by Brian Epstein, but left their new mentor within weeks, following an argument over image. Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "It's Love That Really Counts" gave them a minor hit, but it was the relatively unknown songwriter Peter Lee Stirling (see Daniel Boone) who penned their biggest hit, "I Think Of You". Although essentially balladeers on single, the band's EPs had a grittier edge. The On Stage EP, with its use of monochrome photography, was extremely progressive in design terms, as it did not feature the band on the cover, while their debut album included a variety of old musical standards.

Listen to The Merseybeats at Finetune.

• I Think of You

• The Dave Clark Five
• Peter & Gordon
• Gerry & The Pacemakers
• The Big Three
• The Mindbenders
• Chad & Jeremy
• Los Bravos
• The Merseys
• Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders
• Petula Clark
• Georgie Fame
• The Marmalade
• Wayne Fontana
• Jonathan King
• The Mojos
• Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich
• The Silkie
• The Shadows
• The Seekers
• The Bachelors