The Merseybeats

They had a unique stage presence, sporting frilly shirts, bolero jackets, and a mass of rings on their fingers (provoking an enthusiastic response from their female fans).

Signed to Fontana in 1963, their debut single was a cover of The Shirelles' romantic ballad It's Love That Really Counts. The follow-up, also a ballad, was I Think Of You, which made the top five.

At the height of their success Billy Kinsley walked out to be replaced by Johnny Gustavson from The Big Three. For the next two years they continued to make singles, most of which sold very well before the group, effectively, broke-up.

In 1966, Crane and Kinsley reunited as a duo, shortening their name to The Merseys, and scoring a major hit with Sorrow. Backed by The Fruit Eating Bears (?) they carried on making records until finally splitting in 1968.