The Searchers End 68-Year Career With Final Glastonbury Show

The Searchers, the legendary Liverpool band known for hits like "Sweets for My Sweet," performed their final ever show at the Glastonbury Festival after nearly 70 years of touring. The band, formed in 1957 and part of the Merseybeat scene alongside the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers, made their Glastonbury debut despite having tried to retire multiple times before. Bassist Frank Allen and founding member John McNally emphasized that the band returned to the stage for this significant moment, describing the experience as rediscovering the fun of performing. Although their landmark final performance was eagerly anticipated by fans, the BBC notably did not stream their set on iPlayer, causing disappointment among viewers. The Searchers' farewell at Glastonbury was celebrated as a fitting tribute to their enduring influence on the music world, with tributes from peers and later artists like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. The band's final concert included their classic hits and acknowledgments of their fellow musicians, marking the end of an era in pop history.