LEGENDARY Merseyside outfit The Searchers are coming to Melksham Assembly Hall to play their greatest hits from the decades on Tuesday, November 22.

The four piece, who have had eleven top 10 songs in their time, emerged as part of the 1960s Merseybeat scene along with the Beatles, the Hollies, the Fourmost, the Merseybeats, the Swinging Blue Jeans and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

They play around 200 shows a year, making them arguably one of the hardest working bands in show business.

“It’s currently primetime to see The Searchers as it’s when we’re at our busiest,” said John McNally, one of the band’s founding members.

“We’ve never played in Melksham before but we’re looking forward to coming down. We’ve played in so many venues over the years but we’ve found it’s actually the car parks we remember most about the towns we play in, not the venues themselves, which is quite funny.”

In 2008 the band found themselves back in the charts when their compilation album The Very Best Of The Searchers climbed to number eleven, and that’s partly down to their strong following, John added.

“We’ve been a working band for 52 years now and have a very good following both here in the UK and abroad, especially in Australia and New Zealand. We get a good reception wherever we go.

“This tour is going well so far and the crowds have been great, so we’re hoping for the same in Melksham. We’ll be playing all of our greatest hits as well as some surprises chucked in for good measure.

“At one of our recent shows someone in the crowd shouted “Play a Buddy Holly song” – so we did!”

Since the band’s inception in 1959, lots has changed both in terms of the structure of the band and when it comes to touring the country.

“Touring has definitely become harder in recent years, mainly due to traffic and the awful motorways. It actually takes us longer to get around today than it did in the 1960s,” said John.

“In terms of the band, a few lads from the original setup have passed away and others have decided to move on to new pastures. It’s always sad but it’s just part and parcel of being in a band.

“We’re all really settled now as a quartet and all enjoy being on stage together.”

For tickets visit www.ents24.com/melksham-events/melksham-assembly-hall/the-searchers/1073794026