Sunday Morning Playlist: British Invasion - Page 13

20. Dave Clark Five: Because

Of all the British Invasion groups, the one that seemed to rival the Beatles in popularity the most in 1964 was the Dave Clark Five, from London. They were the ones who knocked "I Want To Hold Your Hand" out of the top spot on the British charts in 1964 with their own "Glad All Over" a big, stomping, good-natured pop-rocker, that featured Dave Clark's pounding drum front and center; vocals were handled by Mike Smith. The band was big in America too; they had ten top-20 singles in 1964-1965, and continued to chart as late as 1968. "Because" is arguably their best song, written by Clark, which almost rivals the Beatles' close-harmony numbers like "This Boy" and "Yes It Is". Ironically, the song was only a B-side in England, backing "Can't You See That She's Mine"; Clark insisted it become an A-side in America. It was, and peaked at #3. The band continued releasing albums through 1972, but with little success after the 60's.

21. Gerry & The Pacemakers: Ferry Cross The Mersey

Gerry & The Pacemakers provide proof that it took more than Brian Epstien's management, George Martin's production, and Liverpool as a hometown to be the Beatles. Formed by Gerry Marsden in the late 1950's, the band also featured brother Fred Marsden on drums, Les Chadwick on bass, and Arthur Mack (replaced in 1961 by Les McGuire) on piano. They played the same places the Beatles did, from the Cavern to Hamburg, and Marsden was a melodic songwriter. But little of their recorded output is arresting now; much of it is remarkably lightweight and square. One famous story regarding the band involves their 1963 single "How Do You Do It?", written by Mitch Murray. George Martin wanted the Beatles to record it as their second single, something the band was loathe to do, because they were working on their own "Please Please Me" as a follow-up to "Love Me Do". When time came for the Beatles to record a demo, they purposely played poorly and Martin gave up, giving the song to Gerry & The Pacemakers instead. Gerry and the boys cheerfully complied, and had a #1 hit with it, and a #9 single in America. The Beatles fared well too, with "Please Please Me" reaching #1 in the U.K. "Ferry Cross The Mersey", a Marsden original that reached #6 in 1965, is probably their most enduring number, with a sophisticated string arrangement, and a pretty, windswept melody. It was also the theme song from the Gerry and the Pacemakers' little-remembered film, Ferry Cross The Mersey. The band last charted in America in 1966, and the group disbanded. Gerry Marsden, with and without various Pacemakers, still plays gigs to this day.

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