A Concert for Colin

On June 1st 1999 at The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall a benefit concert took place featuring The Searchers, Herman’s Hermits, Dave Dee and Peter Sarstedt, to name but a few of the great performers who took part.

The concert was a tribute to Colin Manley, late of The Swinging Blue Jeans - probably one of Liverpool’s finest guitarists - who died earlier this year. Our overseas reporter Harry Prytherch reports on what must have been an unforgettable, if emotional night.

The show opened with MC Billy Butler introducing the original Remo Four (of which band I was a member) and friends, consisting of Don Andrew, Dave Williams, Mick Byrne, Don’s son Paul Andrews, Colin’s son John Manley.

We played four songs and when we walked off-stage there was a standing ovation - a very emotional moment.

Next up was Vince Earl (Brookside’s Ron Dixon) and his band The Attractions, who wowed the audience with twenty minutes of Rock n’ Roll classics. Then came Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket, who had everyone laughing in the aisles!

The show continued with Herman’s Hermits, Marmalade, Dave Dee and Chip Hawkes of The Tremeloes before The Swinging Blue Jeans ended the first half together with Colin Manley’s daughter Julie who joined the group on-stage for their closing number.

The Merseybeats opened the second half of the show with some great Rock n’ Roll and sang all their hit songs including ‘I Think Of You’; and Peter Sarstedt followed with his 1969 hit ‘Where Do You Go To My Lovely?’ The Searchers closed the evening off by giving us all their hits, and finally all of the evening’s performers gathered on-stage for a rousing version of ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’.

The night was a complete success.1,700 seats were filled; the show lasted 4 hours and went out live on the internet. An official video will be released shortly with all profits from the show, video and merchandise going to Colin’s widow and family.

Reporter: Harry Prytherch, Beatles Ireland Overseas Correspondent.

All Playing tribute to Colin Manley

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