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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFOURMOST, TheUK Merseybeat group of the '60s: Brian O'Hara (b 12 March '42), lead guitar; Mike Millward (b 9 May '42), rhythm guitar (ex-Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes), Dave Lovelady (b 16 Oct. '42), drums; Billy Hatton (b 9 June '41), bass. Previously known as Four Jays, then Four Mosts; signed with Brian Epstein, had top 20 hits with first three singles '63-4: "Hello Little Girl', "I'm In Love', "A Little Loving' (first two lesser Lennon/ McCartney songs); three more top 40 hits '65-5 incl. cover of Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving', since anthologised on Merseybeat compilations. Milward temporarily replaced by Bill Parkinson, then left due to ill health '65; died subsequently of leukemia. Less gutsy sound than contemporaries together with comic stage routines enabled them to switch to cabaret when hits failed; suffered as a group through George Martin's insistence on recording them as straight pop band, while Barron Knights later found popularity with a similar brand of humour. Recorded Beatle songs as Format late '60s. |