The Applejacks
Encyclopedia
The Applejacks were a UK
pop
and beat group of the 1960s. They were the first "Brumbeat" group (that is, from the West Midlands conurbation
) to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart
, and were unusual for having a female bass guitarist
, Megan Davies.
troop as children. Baggott, Cash and Freeman began playing together in a skiffle group named The Crestas in 1961, occasionally performing at a local youth club. Davies joined the group in 1961, Gould the following year. Lacking a vocalist, they were strictly an instrumental
band until the addition of singer Al Jackson in 1963; they began playing rock and roll
songs and secured a residency at Solihull Civic Hall. During that time they changed their name to The Jaguars before finally becoming The Applejacks in July 1962.
Signed to Decca Records
late in 1963, their success was largely due to the strength of their first single
, "Tell Me When". Written
by Les Reed
and Geoff Stephens
, "Tell Me When" was released in February 1964 and shot to #7 in the UK. After the group met The Beatles
during rehearsals for a television appearance, John Lennon
and Paul McCartney
provided the Applejacks with a song which was to be their second single: "Like Dreamers Do
". However, the record
only reached number 20 in the UK chart
, whilst their final hit, "Three Little Words (I Love You)" (also in 1964) made it to #23.
The group quarrelled with Decca
over their next single. Decca wanted them to record "Chim Chim Chiree
", but the group disliked this song. Although the single had been announced (and is therefore listed in most discographies), it was never released. According to Megan Davies, the group did not even record "Chim Chim Chiree". Thanks to this quarrel their next single, "Bye Bye Girl", was released half a year after "Three Little Words".
Although Decca continued to issue Applejacks recordings
during 1965 (including the first released version of Ray Davies
's "I Go to Sleep
"), they met with little response from the public, leading to a rapid return to playing local gigs. After 1966 the group became an act on some of the world's cruise liners, working for Cunard
until the end of the decade and frequently aboard the RMS Queen Mary
, RMS Queen Elizabeth
and RMS Queen Elizabeth 2
.
Freeman and Davies were married in 1965, with the other band members serving as groomsmen. Davies eventually retired from music to become a nurse and hospital administrator for the National Health Service
.
They were once described as the "Solihull Sound", and Chris May and Tim Phillips compared their music to the bijou doorbells popular in Solihull at the time.
The group has been managed by Christine Elam since 2007.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and beat group of the 1960s. They were the first "Brumbeat" group (that is, from the West Midlands conurbation
West Midlands conurbation
The West Midlands conurbation is the name given to the large conurbation that includes the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton and the large towns of Dudley, Walsall, West Bromwich, Solihull, Stourbridge, Halesowen in the English West Midlands....
) to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and were unusual for having a female bass guitarist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, Megan Davies.
History
All of the Applejacks (except Jackson) were members of the same scoutBoy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
troop as children. Baggott, Cash and Freeman began playing together in a skiffle group named The Crestas in 1961, occasionally performing at a local youth club. Davies joined the group in 1961, Gould the following year. Lacking a vocalist, they were strictly an instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
band until the addition of singer Al Jackson in 1963; they began playing rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
songs and secured a residency at Solihull Civic Hall. During that time they changed their name to The Jaguars before finally becoming The Applejacks in July 1962.
Signed to Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
late in 1963, their success was largely due to the strength of their first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Tell Me When". Written
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
by Les Reed
Les Reed
Les Reed O.B.E. is an English songwriter, musician and light orchestra leader.-Career:...
and Geoff Stephens
Geoff Stephens
Geoffrey 'Geoff' Stephens , was one of the top British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
, "Tell Me When" was released in February 1964 and shot to #7 in the UK. After the group met The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
during rehearsals for a television appearance, John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
provided the Applejacks with a song which was to be their second single: "Like Dreamers Do
Like Dreamers Do
"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1957. It was performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1962 audition for Decca Records. In 1964 the track was recorded by The Applejacks. This was the first commercial release of the song. The single's music director was Mike Leander...
". However, the record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
only reached number 20 in the UK chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
, whilst their final hit, "Three Little Words (I Love You)" (also in 1964) made it to #23.
The group quarrelled with Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
over their next single. Decca wanted them to record "Chim Chim Chiree
Chim Chim Cher-ee
"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
", but the group disliked this song. Although the single had been announced (and is therefore listed in most discographies), it was never released. According to Megan Davies, the group did not even record "Chim Chim Chiree". Thanks to this quarrel their next single, "Bye Bye Girl", was released half a year after "Three Little Words".
Although Decca continued to issue Applejacks recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
during 1965 (including the first released version of Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
's "I Go to Sleep
I Go to Sleep
"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
"), they met with little response from the public, leading to a rapid return to playing local gigs. After 1966 the group became an act on some of the world's cruise liners, working for Cunard
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
until the end of the decade and frequently aboard the RMS Queen Mary
RMS Queen Mary
RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that sailed primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line...
, RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth was an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. Plying with her running mate Queen Mary as a luxury liner between Southampton, UK and New York City, USA via Cherbourg, France, she was also contracted for over twenty years to carry the Royal Mail as the second half of the two...
and RMS Queen Elizabeth 2
RMS Queen Elizabeth 2
Queen Elizabeth 2, often referred to simply as the QE2, is an ocean liner that was operated by Cunard from 1969 to 2008. Following her retirement from cruising, she is now owned by Istithmar...
.
Freeman and Davies were married in 1965, with the other band members serving as groomsmen. Davies eventually retired from music to become a nurse and hospital administrator for the National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
.
They were once described as the "Solihull Sound", and Chris May and Tim Phillips compared their music to the bijou doorbells popular in Solihull at the time.
Original band members
- Al Jackson (born Harry Llewellyn Jackson, 21 April 1945, BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, WarwickshireWarwickshireWarwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
), lead vocals (from July 1962); - Martin Baggott (born Martin Thomas Baggott, 20 October 1947, Birmingham, Warwickshire), lead guitar (from early 1961);
- Don Gould (born Donald Peter Gould, 23 March 1947, SolihullSolihullSolihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
, Warwickshire), organ (from December 1961); - Phil Cash (born Philip Peter Cash, 9 October 1947, Birmingham, Warwickshire), rhythm guitar (from early 1961);
- Gerry Freeman (born Gerald Ernest Freeman, 5 May 1943, Solihull, Warwickshire), drums (from early 1961);
- Megan Davies (born Megan Kelso Davies, 25 March 1944, SheffieldSheffieldSheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, YorkshireYorkshireYorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
), bass (from early 1961)
New line-up
Recently a new version of The Applejacks has appeared on the 1960s nostalgia scene, with the following line-up :- Alan Taylor, lead vocalist for this line up since 2007
- John Elliott, lead guitarist
- Phil Haslam, rhythm guitar/vocals
- Anelka, International Lady Bassist/vocals
- Paul Atwell, drummer, formerly of Edison LighthouseEdison LighthouseEdison Lighthouse was a UK pop group, initially a studio-only assemblage that served as a vehicle for session vocalist Tony Burrows and songwriter/record producers Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason, are best known for their 1970 UK chart-topper and million-selling record, "Love Grows ".-Career:The...
The group has been managed by Christine Elam since 2007.
Singles
- "Tell Me When" / "Baby Jane" (Decca F 11916) 1964 (#7 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, #135 U.S.) - "Like Dreamers DoLike Dreamers Do"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1957. It was performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1962 audition for Decca Records. In 1964 the track was recorded by The Applejacks. This was the first commercial release of the song. The single's music director was Mike Leander...
" / "Everybody Fall Down" (Decca F 11916) 1964 (#20 UK) - "Three Little Words (I Love You)" / "You're the One" (Decca F 11981) 1964 (#23 UK)
- "Chim Chim ChireeChim Chim Cher-ee"Chim Chim Cher-ee" is a song from Mary Poppins, the 1964 musical motion picture. It was originally sung by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" is also featured prominently in the award winning Cameron Mackintosh/Disney stage musical of the same name which premiered in London at...
" / "It's Not a Game Anymore" (Decca F 12050) 1965 (withdrawn) - "Bye Bye Girl" / "It's Not a Game Anymore" (Decca F 12106) 1965
- "I Go to SleepI Go to Sleep"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
" / "Make Up or Break Up" (Decca F 12216) 1965 - "I'm Through" / "We Gotta Get Together" (Decca F 12301) 1965
- "You've Been Cheating" / "Love Was in My Eyes" (CBS 202615) 1967
Albums
- The Applejacks (Decca LK 4635) 1964 :
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter Of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey BusinessToo Much Monkey Business"Too Much Monkey Business" is a song written and performed by rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry. It was released as Chuck's fifth single in September 1956 for Chess Records, and appeared as the third track on Chuck's first solo LP, After School Session in May 1957, as well as the EP of the same name...
" / "Memories of YouMemories of You"Memories of You" is a popular song with lyrics written by Andy Razaf and music composed by Eubie Blake and published in 1930.-Song history:The song was introduced by singer Minto Cato in the Broadway show Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930...
" / "Ain't That Just Like Me" / "Kansas City" / "I Wonder" / "Three Little Words (I Love You)" / "Baby Jane" / "No Time" / "See If She Cares" / "What's the Matter Little Girl" / "What'd I SayWhat'd I SayAccording to Charles' autobiography, "What'd I Say" was accidental when he improvised it to fill time at the end of a concert in December 1958. He asserts that he never tested songs on audiences before recording them, but "What'd I Say" is an exception...
"
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter Of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey Business
CD Samplers
- Tell Me When (Deram 820 968-2, October 1990):
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey BusinessToo Much Monkey Business"Too Much Monkey Business" is a song written and performed by rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry. It was released as Chuck's fifth single in September 1956 for Chess Records, and appeared as the third track on Chuck's first solo LP, After School Session in May 1957, as well as the EP of the same name...
" / "Memories of YouMemories of You"Memories of You" is a popular song with lyrics written by Andy Razaf and music composed by Eubie Blake and published in 1930.-Song history:The song was introduced by singer Minto Cato in the Broadway show Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930...
" / "Ain't That Just Like Me" / "Kansas City" / "I Wonder" / "Three Little Words (I Love You)" / "Baby Jane" / "No Time" / "See If She Cares" / "What's the Matter Little Girl" / "What'd I SayWhat'd I SayAccording to Charles' autobiography, "What'd I Say" was accidental when he improvised it to fill time at the end of a concert in December 1958. He asserts that he never tested songs on audiences before recording them, but "What'd I Say" is an exception...
" / "Like Dreamers DoLike Dreamers Do"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1957. It was performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1962 audition for Decca Records. In 1964 the track was recorded by The Applejacks. This was the first commercial release of the song. The single's music director was Mike Leander...
" / "Everybody Fall Down" / "You’re the One for Me" / "I Go to SleepI Go to Sleep"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
"
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey Business
- The Applejacks (Cherry Red Records CDMRED411, June 2009):
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter Of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey BusinessToo Much Monkey Business"Too Much Monkey Business" is a song written and performed by rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry. It was released as Chuck's fifth single in September 1956 for Chess Records, and appeared as the third track on Chuck's first solo LP, After School Session in May 1957, as well as the EP of the same name...
" / "Memories of YouMemories of You"Memories of You" is a popular song with lyrics written by Andy Razaf and music composed by Eubie Blake and published in 1930.-Song history:The song was introduced by singer Minto Cato in the Broadway show Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930...
" / "Ain't That Just Like Me" / "Kansas City" / "I Wonder" / "Three Little Words (I Love You)" / "Baby Jane" / "No Time" / "See If She Cares" / "What's the Matter Little Girl" / "What'd I SayWhat'd I SayAccording to Charles' autobiography, "What'd I Say" was accidental when he improvised it to fill time at the end of a concert in December 1958. He asserts that he never tested songs on audiences before recording them, but "What'd I Say" is an exception...
" / "Like Dreamers DoLike Dreamers Do"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1957. It was performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1962 audition for Decca Records. In 1964 the track was recorded by The Applejacks. This was the first commercial release of the song. The single's music director was Mike Leander...
" / "Everybody Fall Down" / "You’re the One for Me" / "Bye Bye Girl" / "It’s Not a Game Anymore" / "I Go to SleepI Go to Sleep"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
" / "Make Up or Break Up" / "I’m Through" / "We Gotta Get Together" / "Baby's in BlackBaby's in Black"Baby's in Black" is a song by The Beatles, co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released in the United Kingdom on Beatles for Sale and in North America on Beatles '65.-Composition:...
"
- "Tell Me When" / "Wishing Will Never Make It So" / "Over Suzanne" / "Hello Josephine" / "As a Matter Of Fact" / "Too Much Monkey Business
See also
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of artists under the Decca Records label
- Tudor Grange Grammar SchoolTudor Grange Grammar SchoolTudor Grange School is a co-educational comprehensive school and technology college located in Solihull, West Midlands. It was originally a boys' grammar school for around 650 boys.-Location:...
- Lennon/McCartneyLennon/McCartneyThe Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...