THE SEARCHERS are in their 55th year, but they’re still touring the world.

The latest tour sees them play King’s Hall in Ilkley on May 25, with their trademark high-button black stage suits.

The Searchers were formed in the late fifties as a skiffle group by John McNally who was quickly joined by guitarist Mike Pender, drummer Chris Curtis and bassist Tony Jackson.

With the addition of lead vocalist Johnny Sandon they soon grew into a solid five-piece unit who commanded an impressive following in their home town of Liverpool.

When Sandon left the outfit in 1962 the remaining four quit their jobs in order to take up the offer of a short residency at the famous Star Club in Hamburg playing alongside beat groups like The Beatles and Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Under the guidance of PYE Records` Tony Hatch, they shot to number one in the charts with their debut disc Sweets For My Sweet, followed by Sugar & Spice.

The lead vocal had by then been taken by Tony Jackson, and for the third single the style changed to a softer and more harmonic sound for Needles & Pins and then Don`t Throw Your Love Away.

Jackson left in the middle of 1964 and his place was quickly filled by Frank Allen.

The new line-up went straight into the studios and emerged with the classic When You Walk In The Room, a release that was to prove one of the band`s most enduring records and which has proved to be unbeatable in a live situation.

The run of hits continued with much loved songs like Goodbye My Love, What Have They Done To The Rain?, Take Me For What I`m Worth, Bumble Bee and Love Potion Number Nine.

The Searchers promise an evening of classic hits and entertaining anecdotes on Friday May 25.

Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.