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HOME |
The
Applejacks
Families
| Memories | Reunions | History |
In 1964
Solihull Group 'The Applejacks' became big stars overnight with their smash hit 'Tell me
when'.
With the exception of Al they all belonged to the 1st Olton Scout Group - even
Megan! an assistant cub mistress.
Various acts were being put together for a miniature gang show to entertain the parents.
Five of them got together and their 'skiffle group' as it then was, turned out to be the
hit of the show. The next step on the road to fame came when Joe Brannelly, their manager
was so impressed by their playing, that he was sure he had a top group. |
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The Band
Al Jackson - Vocals
Martin Baggott - Lead Guitar
Phil Cash - Rhythm Guitar
Don Gould - Organ
Megan Davies - Bass Guitar
Gerry Freeman - Drums
The Singles
Tell Me When/Baby Jane 
Like Dreamers Do/Everybody Fall Down
Three Little Words/You're The One For Me
Chim Chim Cheree/It's Not A Game Anymore
It's Not A Game Anymore/Bye Bye Girl
I Go To Sleep/Make Up Or Break Up
I'm Through/We Gotta Get Together
You've Been Cheating/Love Was In My Eyes |
At the end of that year Joe invited Mike Smith an A&R man, along to the Civic Hall in
Solihull to see them perform. Mike was also impressed and in January the groups first
single 'Tell Me When' was released.
The disc went right to the top of the charts and caused a number of problems for the
group.
Gerry, Al, Martin and Don were called before their headmaster and were
asked to make a choice, continue with their studies or leave school to
embark on a pop career. The boys made a decision to turn professional
and the rest followed |
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This photo was taken after the group were filmed for the 1964 pop film 'Just for You'. The
film featured a DJ, Sam Costa who reclining on a bed, called up his favourite pop hits
onto a strange type of projection screen. The film was released after the Applejacks had
had great success with 'Tell me when'. It included other 60's groups in a compilation, a
forerunner to the pop video of today. |
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They went on to perform on many top line TV spots and had their own Radio Luxembourg show,
and appeared in a 1964 film 'Just For You'. The groups second disc 'Like Dreamers Do' was
a Lennon and McCartney number. The Applejacks had met John and Paul whilst rehearsing for
a TV show, were it was suggested as their follow up release. |
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The Applejacks became
very popular with the many fans of beat music and were booked solidly to appear throughout
1964 at dance halls all over the country. They had a road manager which was a luxury in
those days to drive then between gigs, their personal manager Arthur Smith handled all the
correspondence from their many live TV appearances and shows.
The Applejacks were in heavy demand for TV work, appearing on shows such as 'Ready Steady
Go, Top of the Pops, Thank your lucky stars', and many more.
Their popularity was greatest in the venues of the major cities of London and Birmingham
but they ensured that appearances were given throughout the country to support their
recordings.
If you would like to contribute to this page you can email me at: garryknox@aol.com
© 2000 Garry
Knox
SIX
OF THE BEST - Megan Davies |
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