The Undertakers (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Liverpool , England |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
The Undertakers were a British beat band, contemporaneous with the Beatles and a significant presence in the early 1960s Merseybeat movement.
Formation
Initially called Bob Evans and the Five Shillings, the lineup featured Geoff Nugent, lead guitarist Ike X (later replaced by Pete Cook), drummer Bob Evans (who passed away in 2009), bassist Billy Evans, tenor saxophonist Les Maguire, and rhythm guitarist/vocalist Mike Millward (who subsequently joined the Fourmost). In 1959, they transitioned into the Vegas Five under Bob Evans' leadership, with members including Geoff Nugent (deceased 2014), Chris Huston, lead singer Jimmy McManus, bassist Mushy Cooper (died 1998), and Les Maguire (later affiliated with Gerry and the Pacemakers), who was succeeded by saxophonist/vocalist Brian Jones. This ensemble was among Liverpool’s pioneering rock and roll acts.
Career Progression
A typographical error in a newspaper swapped their name with "Undertakers," prompting the band to embrace this new identity, incorporating the "Death March" as a signature feature. In February 1961, Evans' group merged with Dee and the Dynamites; Evans departed in September 1961 and was succeeded by Pemberton.
The Undertakers garnered a devoted local fanbase thanks to Jackie Lomax's vocal talents, Chris Huston's custom-built instruments and amplification systems, and their unique saxophone-driven sound that broadened their R&B style. Their performances at the Cavern Club often drew queues of fans who sometimes confused them with the Beatles.
In 1962, they played at Hamburg’s Star-Club. Upon returning to Liverpool, they declined Brian Epstein's management offer and instead signed with Pye Records under producer Tony Hatch. Although their releases on Pye achieved modest commercial success, their third single, "Just a Little Bit," reached the UK Top 50 in April 1964. This song was later interpreted by artists such as Slade and Rory Gallagher.
Subsequent Developments
Following a U.S. tour in 1965, The Undertakers disbanded; Lomax, Huston, and Pemberton remained in America to continue their musical pursuits. Brian Jones became a session player and is occasionally misattributed as the saxophonist on the Beatles’ "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)," a claim he refutes by distinguishing himself from "the Brian Jones who couldn't swim." Most accounts, including those from Paul McCartney and Bill Wyman, attribute that part to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. Pemberton eventually settled in Los Angeles.
After returning from America, Brian Jones and Geoff Nugent established the New Undertakers alongside three members of the Newtowns:
| Geoff Nugent | vocals, rhythm/lead guitar | ||
| Brian Jones | tenor saxophone, vocals | ||
| Jim Jones | bass guitar | ||
| Bob Frazer | keyboards | ||
| Bob Williams | drums |
Geoff Nugent later revived the band for Liverpool Garden Festival performances and had assembled this lineup by 2007:
| Geoff Nugent | vocals, rhythm guitar | ||
| Brian Jones | tenor saxophone | ||
| Bill Good | bass guitar, vocals | ||
| Baz Davies | lead guitar, vocals | ||
| Jimmy O'Brien | drums |
During visits from the United States, Jackie Lomax joined them on stage to perform original material. Lomax passed away in September 2013 in Wirral; Bugs Pemberton died in Los Angeles in October 2013. Geoff Nugent died in October 2014.
In 2018, Brian Jones authored Sax, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll, detailing his experiences within the music industry.
Members
The most recognized roster featured:
- Jackie Lomax – lead vocals and bass guitar (10 May 1944 – 15 September 2013)
- Chris Huston – lead guitar and vocals (born 25 June 1943)
- Geoff Nugent – rhythm/solo guitar and vocals (23 February 1943 – 12 October 2014)
- Brian Jones – alto and tenor saxophone, vocals (born 27 November 1940)
- Bugs Pemberton – drums (7 January 1945 – 13 October 2013)
After the passing of Nugent and Lomax, Brian Jones took over management of The Undertakers. The ensemble currently consists of:
- Brian Jones – alto/tenor saxophone, vocals
- Tony Schofield – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Les Jones – lead guitar
- Linda Campbell – bass guitar, vocals
- Colin Gort – keyboards, vocals
- Mike Bennett – drums
UK singles
- "Everybody Loves a Lover" (Adler/Allen) / "(Do the) Mashed Potatoes" (Rozier) Pye 7N15543 (1963)
- "What About Us" (Leiber/Stoller) / "Money (That's What I Want)" (Bradford/Gordy) Pye 7N15562 (1963)
- "Just a Little Bit" (Thornton/Thompson/Bass/Washington) / "Stupidity" (Burke) Pye 7N15607 (1964)
- "If You Don't Come Back" (Leiber/Stoller) / "Think" (Pauling) Pye 7N15690 (1964)
US singles
- "Just A Little Bit" / "Stupidity" Parkway 909 (1964)
- "Think" / "If You Don't Come" Interphon 7709 (1964)
- "I Fell In Love" / "Throw Your Love Away Girl" Black Watch 5545/6 (1965)
CD compilation
- The Undertakers Unearthed (Big Beat CDWIKD 163, 1996)