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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 ZBIG THREEMerseybeat trio, claimed to be the first beat group in Liverpool, formed from late-'50s Cass And The Casanovas: Casey Jones, rhythm guitar; Adrian Barber, lead guitar, John Gustavson, bass; Johnny Hutchinson, drums. Backed blues singer Duffy Power on package-tour circuit early '60s; dropped Jones and became Big Three '62, so named for 6} stature of members; stood out from Liverpool groups in being trio and in the lead singer being the drummer. Signed by Brian Epstein and sent to Hamburg, where Brian Griffiths replaced Barber; signed by Decca on return (the label had turned down Epstein's Beatles) and released singles: first "Some Other Guy' no. 37 UK '63 considered by Freddy Garrity (Freddy And The Dreamers) as a record that "really typified the Mersey sound.' Second "By The Way' (written by Gerry And The Pacemakers songsmith Mitch Murray) was top 25, but its poppy sound did not represent their hardrocking stage appeal. Their unwillingness to go along with Epstein's insistence on image (as Beatles did with suits etc) and lack of their own material held them up. Live act captured on LP At The Cavern, incl. covers of Chuck Berry's "Reelin' and Rockin'', Ray Charles's "What'd I Say'. Epstein dropped them; Gustavson and Griffiths left to form The Seniors late '63; Hutchinson carried on with Bill "Faron' Russley on bass and vocals, Paddy Chambers on guitar (both ex- Faron's Flamingoes), who left within a year; after trying more replacements Hutchinson hung up the drumsticks. Gustavson played with Merseybeats, Hard Stuff, Quatermass; sessioned with Roxy Music, Gene Pitney, Ian Hunter, Shirley Bassey and others; played on original cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar; re-formed Big Three for Merseybeat collection Resurrection '73 with Griffiths and Elton John sideman Nigel Olsson on drums. Original tracks were collected on Cavern Stomp on Edsel. |