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The Undertakers
Undertakers TV Show - 196302

Left to right:

Chris Huston - Lead Guitar/Vocals

Geoff Nugent - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals

Jackie Lomax - Bass Guitar/Vocals

Bugs Pemberton - Drums

Brian Jones - Sax/Vocals

The Undertakers, who hailed from Wallasey (over the River Mersey from Liverpool), worked all the Merseyside ‘Jive Hives’ , building up a reputation as a powerhouse group. Their repertoire of US hit releases included various elements of Soul, R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll. They invested the money from

gigs into equipment and are believed to be the first group in the country with an all Gibson guitar line-up and also the first to use a 100 watt P.A. The Undertakers signed with Pye records who failed to capture their stage excitement on record. Along with the Beatles and the Big Three, they were considered the best ‘Hard Rockers’ around. The groups of Merseyside new what music teenagers wanted to hear but the London A&R men, with no idea of how to appeal to them, insisted on telling the groups what to record. Pye, in particular Tony Hatch, made ’Mashed Potatoes’ the ‘B’ side of their debut disc with ‘Everybody Loves A Lover’ the ‘A’ side. For their second release, The Undertakers wanted ‘Money’ as the ‘A’ side but Pye made ‘What About Us’ the ‘A’ side, they were allowed to choose the third record and released ‘Just A Little Bit’ which entered the charts. The forth and final recording for Pye was ‘If You Don’t Come Back’ , it started to move up the charts but unfortunately this coincided with the annual holidays for the record producing plant so no more copies were pressed making it impossible for them to have a chart hit. Some time later, disillusioned with the British music scene, they decided to try their luck in America, Geoff Nugent remained in Liverpool. Jackie Lomax signed with Apple Records, but didn’t find success and moved to Los Angeles. Bugs Pemberton and Chris Huston settled in America, Chris became a successful record producer and recording studio designer. Brian Jones went on to play with various bands including Garry Glitter’s Glitter Band. Geoff Nugent is still appearing on Merseyside, leading Geoff Nugents Undertakers.

Press ‘Play Button’ to listen to original recording.

Money

Just A Little Bit

Everybody Loves A Lover

What About Us

The Undertakers02 The Undertakers small

Many thanks to Chris Huston for the photographs

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