They trod the same hallowed turf as their buddies The Beatles at the start of the 1960s, from The Cavern in Liverpool to those dens of sin and iniquity on the Reeperbahn district of Hamburg. And, like The Beatles, we have sadly lost two originals - drummer Chris Curtis and singer guitarist Tony "Black Jake" Jackson. However, original guitarist John McNally and Tony's replacement since 1964, bassist Frank Allen, are still going strong in 2009 as the group continues to play before packed houses all over the world. Their schedule is every bit as hectic as it was back in the 1960s. The lads undertake gruelling UK tours - and they drive themselves these days rather than slum it on the old tour bus. Then there are the European dates, where they are increasingly popular. And if all that isn't enough, The Searchers have toured New Zealand and Australia in recent years, plus high profile shows at major cities in America. Who said the Merseybeat era was over? The Searchers are featured prominently in Legends On Tour. They replaced Paul and Barry Ryan for the final two nights of the 1967 Roy Orbison tour featured in Legends and John and Frank, plus their then drummer John Blunt, recall their precious memories of the late, great Big O - and of touring back in those crazy days. The Searchers were one of Liverpool's finest and their shows are still a treat for those who like melody along with the rock. Also, a word about the fans from all the 1960s tours featured in Legends. I have been privileged to meet them - both those in the book and those who I have met since. So often overlooked, their memories are important in recording what these shows were like. They open a window on those pop package tours that gives us another perspective. From the girls who came to scream for The Beatles or The Walker Brothers to the rockers who came to pay homage to Hendrix, they played a significant part in these 1960s pop supershows. Legends is littered with photos of the crowds, plus portrait pictures - then and now - of those who shared their memories. A big thank-you to them all. Oh, and on the subject of thanks - a big thank you to The Searchers web mistress Wendy Burton who has been so supportive of Legends. The picture on this page is of the fab Searchers, John Blunt, Frank Allen, Mike Pender and John McNally, in their dressing room during that Roy tour... that fab gear could only have been the 1960s, or perhaps a panto season, as Frank wryly remarked last year!