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The Best of Liverpool Express includes the song 'It's A Beautiful Day' currently featured in the popular TV ad in the UK for Kellogg's Special K Cereal. LIVERPOOL EXPRESS - A BRIEF HISTORY Billy Kinsley (Bass guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals) Roger Scott Craig (Keyboards and vocals) Tony Coates (Guitars, mandolin, vocals) Derek Cashin (Drums and vocals) When Billy Kinsley was a school lad of fifteen, he found himself in the enviable position of having a Top Five hit 'I Think of You' with his band The Merseybeats and playing on the same bill as The Beatles more than any other band of that era including at clubs like The Cavern. The Beatles raved about the song on Juke Box Jury and this was the beginning of a life-long relationship and mutual admiration society between the two bands. The Merseybeats (later The Merseys) became one of the best-known bands in England and had many hits including 'Sorrow,' 'It's Love That Really Counts,' and 'Wishin' and Hopin'. In 1975 Billy and three soccer friends, Roger Scott Craig, Tony Coates, and Derek Cashin, joined together to create Liverpool Express. The songwriting partnership of Billy and Roger began when they got together in a small rehearsal room at Bluecoat Chambers in Liverpool to write some of the band's early material. The band recorded their first LP 'Tracks' on Warner Brothers Records produced by their manager Hal Carter who had managed many artists including Billy Fury and Eddie Cochran. Within six months they had several hit records across Europe including 'You Are My Love,' 'Every Man Must Have a Dream,' 'Smile,' 'Dreamin,' and 'Hold Tight.' But their greatest success was in South America where they scored three consecutive Top Ten hits and toured in 1977, one of the first bands to play in the huge stadiums in Brazil. Arriving at Rio de Janeiro's Airport, the band was greeted by thousands of hysterical fans. "It was quite a shock to be welcomed to Brazil by so many screaming fans. In fact, we thought someone famous was on our flight and we had no clue what was going on," said Billy Kinsley about the experience. The band's success continued when they toured with Rod Stewart throughout Europe and in 1978 Prince Charles requested they perform for him at a Royal Gala in Liverpool. A second LP 'Dreamin,' was released and in late 1978 drummer Pete Kircher joined the band and participated in the recording of the third album 'LEX' produced by Tommy Boyce and Richard Hartley. The LP cover featured Jerry Hall who later married Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Liverpool Express appeared on major TV shows of that era (including Top of the Pops, Supersonic, and It's a Knockout), participated in a multitude of charity events, and played at major venues throughout Europe. In 1979 drummer John Ryan replaced Pete Kircher who left to work with Status Quo. In the early 80's, Liverpool guitarist Kenny Parry joined the band, Roger emigrated to America, and John Ryan never returned home to England after touring in Australia. Billy and Kenny continued working together with Dave Goldberg on keyboards and Brian Rawling on drums and released the single 'So What' in 1983. Brian also went on to produce Cher's mega-hit 'Believe.' Roger, who operates his own music production company in California, achieved great success with bands such as The Nina Hagen Band, Fortune, Harlan Cage, and 101 South. He became well known throughout Europe, South America and Japan and played many big venues including Rock in Rio for 350,000 people! He wrote music for movies such as The Pelican Brief, Wyatt Earp, and Richie Rich and TV commercials such as the notorious 'Harry and Louise' ads in America and Boris Yeltsin's re-election campaign ad. You can find additional information about Roger on harlancage.com. Before and after his stint with Liverpool Express, Billy was a sought after studio musician and spent many years recording for Apple Records artists including Peter and Gordon, Jackie Lomax, and producers such as Paul McCartney and George Harrison. He owns Fedora Street Recording Studios where he has recorded CDs for artists such as The Cavern Club Class of 64 and The Pete Best Band. Since Billy played such a major role in the 60's music scene, writers and TV interviewers all over the world ask him to provide expert historical information about The Beatles and other bands from that era. He worked with The Beatles Story in Liverpool to develop exhibits, provided information for 'The Beatles Gear' and Spencer Leigh's book about The Cavern, and also participated in TV documentaries including The Beatles Anthology and the BBC's 'Places I Remember.' Billy's friends continue to beg him to write a book of his stories about those times-stories which only he knows and which all Beatles fans would love to hear. You can find additional information about Billy at Merseybeats.com. In an interview on the BBC in 1991, Paul McCartney, one of Billy's old friends from the Cavern Club days, picked 'You Are My Love' as one of his favorite songs. Quite a tribute for the band coming from one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Twenty-five years after its release, the music of Liverpool Express is still played on radio stations all over the world and fans contact the band members to let them know how much Liverpool Express songs meant to them. With so much radio and fan interest, the band released this CD featuring their greatest hits and a tribute song to the Beatles 'John George Ringo & Paul.' The band would like to give a very special thank you to Kathy McCabe from Baltimore, Maryland USA for her continued kindness and friendship over the years. Without Kathy's help and determination, not to mention her extensive photo collection, this CD would not have been possible. Another special thank you to Michael Wilde (michael@wildewebs.co.uk), a 17-year old fan from Manchester, England who designed the band's website at liverpoolexpress.com. The website has photographs, audio clips, band info, instructions on how to buy this CD and a Guestbook you can sign. We'd love to hear from you and hope you enjoy the music on this CD. We also hope to bring you new Liverpool Express music soon! Thanks to all of you for your continued support! Check out the artist's website: http://www.liverpoolexpress.com Track List: 1. You Are My Love 2. Dreamin 3. Margie 4. Take It Easy With My Heart 5. Every Man Must Have a Dream 6. I Want Nobody But You 7. It's A Beautiful Day 8. Julian the Hooligan 9. So Here I Go Again 10. John George Ringo & Paul 11. Smile 12. So What 13. Last Train Home 14. Hold Tight 15. Never Be The Same Boy 16. Don't Stop the Music Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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