The Fourmost

The Fourmost are a Liverpool beat group active from 1961 to the present. They are associated with beat music and Merseybeat, and were originally formed in Liverpool by guitarist/vocalist Brian O’Hara and guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower under the name the Two Jays in 1957. The line-up later became the Four Jays and then, in 1962, the Fourmost.

Formation and early line-ups

Billy Hatton joins on bass guitar and vocals when the group becomes the Four Jays in 1959. Brian Redman joins on drums, and the band plays the Cavern Club on 1 March 1961, shortly before the Beatles. Mike Millward, formerly of the Undertakers, joins on rhythm guitar and vocals in November 1961, and Dave Lovelady joins on drums and vocals in September 1962. At that point the group adopts the Fourmost name.

Recording career

In June 1963 the band signs a management contract with Brian Epstein, leading to an audition with George Martin and a contract with EMI’s Parlophone label. Epstein’s management gives the Fourmost access to early Lennon–McCartney material, and their first two singles are written by John Lennon. “Hello Little Girl” reaches number 9 in the UK in 1963, and “I’m in Love” reaches number 17 later that year.

Their biggest UK hit is “A Little Loving” in 1964, which reaches number 6. After that, their singles do not return to the UK Top 20. Later singles include “How Can I Tell Her”, “Baby I Need Your Loving”, “Everything in the Garden”, “Girls Girls Girls”, “Here, There and Everywhere”, “Auntie Maggie’s Remedy”, “Apples, Peaches and Pumpkin Pie”, “Rosetta” and “Easy Squeezy”.

Albums, films and later recordings

The group’s only 1960s studio album is First and Fourmost, released in 1965. It includes cover versions such as Jackie DeShannon’s “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine”, Little Richard’s “The Girl Can’t Help It” and “Heebie-Jeebies”, as well as original material and other covers. Brian O’Hara writes most of the group’s original songs, many of which appear as B-sides.

The Fourmost appear in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey and contribute “I Love You Too” to the soundtrack album. In 1968 they record for CBS and cut “Apples, Peaches and Pumpkin Pie”, “Rosetta”, and “Easy Squeezy”. They later become a cabaret act. A 1975 private pressing album, also titled The Fourmost, features O’Hara, Hatton, Lovelady and Bower.

Membership changes and later history

Mike Millward dies from leukaemia in 1966, and George Peckham replaces him. Peckham sings lead on “Turn the Lights Down Low”, the B-side of “Auntie Maggie’s Remedy”, and the band also records a cover of George Formby’s “Auntie Maggie’s Remedy” and a version of the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere”. Peckham leaves in 1969 to run a recording studio. Bower returns to the group, and later line-ups continue under O’Hara’s leadership with changing personnel.

Hatton, Lovelady and Bower leave in 1980, although a version of the band with O’Hara and older members Hatton and Lovelady does perform at the new Cavern Club. O’Hara later sells the band’s name. Bill Haisman later joins as a bassist and singer, with John Richards, Gary Pearson and Kevin Clarkson in another line-up. That group issues The Fourmost Live at The Club Tropicana, recorded in Skegness on 7 April 2007. A later touring line-up is led by Kevin Clarkson with Alex Leyland, Colin Walsh and Lee Clarkson.

Compilations and legacy

Charley Records issues a 20-track compilation also titled First and Fourmost, and EMI later reissues the original album on CD in stereo and mono. In 2005 the group releases The Best of The Fourmost, a 33-track compilation that includes the stereo version of “I Love You Too” and four previously unreleased songs, with booklet notes written by Billy Hatton.

Notable members

The Fourmost’s named members include Brian O’Hara, Joey Bower, Billy Hatton, Brian Redman, Mike Millward, Dave Lovelady, George Peckham, Bill Haisman, John Richards, Gary Pearson, Kevin Clarkson, Alex Leyland, Colin Walsh and Lee Clarkson. The core original members are Brian O’Hara, Mike Millward, Billy Hatton and Dave Lovelady.