Frank Allen (bassist)

Frank Allen (born Francis Renaud McNeice, 14 December 1943, Hayes, Middlesex, England) is an English bass guitarist.

Frank Allen
Allen performing with The Searchers in 2015
Background information
Birth nameFrancis Renaud McNeice
Born (1943-12-14) 14 December 1943
Hayes, Middlesex, England
Years active1960s–present
Associated actsThe Searchers, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

Career

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), and remained with them until they played their final gig in 2019. Allen joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as rhythm guitarist in 1961, and changed over to bass guitar in early 1962, following the departure of Ben Jordan.[1]

When Tony Jackson left the Searchers in August 1964 after a string of hits (including "Sweets for My Sweet", "Sugar and Spice" and "Needles and Pins"), Allen was asked to join the group. They then recorded "When You Walk in the Room", with Mike Pender and Frank Allen singing a dual lead line.[2]

Allen wrote a book of touring recollections called Travelling Man in 1999.[3] His definitive and detailed biography of the Searchers entitled The Searchers And Me - A History of the Legendary Sixties Hitmakers was published in April 2009.[4]

The Searchers retired the band in March 2019.[5]

Further reading
  • Frank Allen: The Searchers and Me - A history of the Legendary Sixties Hitmakers ISBN 1-899750-41-X[6]
  • Frank Allen: Travelling Man - On the Road with The Searchers ISBN 1-899750-290[7]
  • The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll – Third Edition ISBN 0-743201-20-5
  • The 1000 UK Number One Hits ISBN 1-844492-83-4

References
  1. "The Searchers - interview with bassist Frank Allen". www.craigmorrison.com.
  2. "INTERVIEW: Frank Allen | Welcome to UK Music Reviews".
  3. "Travelling Man". www.goodreads.com.
  4. "THE SEARCHERS AND ME - Record Collector Magazine". recordcollectormag.com.
  5. Campbell, Craig. "It's end of an era for legendary band The Searchers as they play their final gigs".
  6. "The Searchers And Me". The Searchers And Me. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  7. "Travelling Man". Aureus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
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