On This Day 10/04/1965 The Searchers

On this day, 10 April 1965, pop group The Searchers played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens. Also on the bill were Dusty Springfield, Tony Jackson, Heinz, The Settlers and special guest star Bobby Vee.

Formed in Liverpool in 1959. Part of the Merseybeat scene, they flourished during the British Invasion of the 1960s, with hits including "Sweets for My Sweet", "Love Potion No. 9", "Sugar and Spice", "Needles and Pins", "Don't Throw Your Love Away", "When You Walk in the Room", "What Have They Done to the Rain" and "Goodbye My Love". With the Swinging Blue Jeans, the Searchers tied for being the second group from Liverpool, after the Beatles, to have a hit in the US, when their "Needles and Pins" and the Swinging Blue Jeans' "Hippy Hippy Shake" both reached the Hot 100 on 7 March 1964. In June 2025, The Searchers played Glastonbury Festival for the first time as the band's "final show ever" after 68 years of performing.

On This Day 16/03/1964 The Searchers

On this day, 16 March 1964, pop group The Searchers played Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre on a package that included Dusty Springfield and Bobby Vee. The band had recently released their massive No 1 hit Needles and Pins.

The Pye Records single was released on January 7, 1964.It was number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States. Soon after, in April 1964, "Needles and Pins" appeared on the Searchers' next album, It's the Searchers.

Audible during the Searchers' recording of "Needles and Pins" is a faulty bass drum pedal, which squeaks throughout the song. It is particularly noticeable during the opening of the number.