The Showtimers - 8 Big Hits + 4 New Ones (2016)

British beat group from the South London area. Originally known as The Leons they were signed up to a Rank Leisure company and renamed to promote the Showtime magazine which Rank distributed through its cinemas. They released two EPs on the companies Showtime (13) label. The records were sold at Rank cinemas around the country. Two of the original numbers on the EPs, 'You must be joking' and 'Don't say goodbye', were released on HMV in 1964.

It is interesting that on the back of the EP cover, each of the musicians talked about themselves, their family, their activities before the group was formed, and their favorite performers. 

Bass Guitar, Harmonica – Paul Bennett 

Drums – Peter Tuffin

Lead Guitar – Colin Boulter

Lead Vocals – Dave Seaton

Rhythm Guitar – Denis William Freeman

The group began its activity on the music scene in the early 60s under the name The Leons. This group quickly attracted the attention of both the press and representatives of show business, in particular John Green, an employee of Filmusic (he heard them on the stage of the club "Etham Bath"). After signing a contract with the company "Rank Leisure", the guys changed their name to The Showtimers, which the company asked them to do to advertise their magazine "Showtime", which the entrepreneurs distributed in their cinemas.

It must be said that the musicians of the group were very prolific and in 1964 they managed to record two six-track EPs "4 Big Hits + 2 New Ones" in May 1964 and "4 Big Hits + 2 New Ones - Second In Series" in June 1964 (both released on the Showtime label), as well as the single "You Must Be Joking / Don't Say Goodbye", which was released on July 31, 1964 on the His Master's Voice label (the single and B-side were taken from the EP track listings). The author of the single and B-side is 26-year-old composer Eddie Gray.

The Showtimers - 8 Big Hits + 4 New Ones (2016)

The Showtimers collection  is one of the works of the employees of the Czech label "Jagga" (Jagga Records Company Ltd.

The label closely cooperates with the rock archivist Paolo Padami, who compiles most of the compilations and accompanies them with valuable information.

 1. The Showtimers - Everything's Al'right - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 2. The Showtimers - Dont Say Goodbye - His Master's Voice Pop 1328 (1964) 

 3. The Showtimers - Mocking Bird Hill - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 4. The Showtimers - Don't Throw Your Love Away - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 5. The Showtimers - You Have The Right - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 6. The Showtimers - Someone, Someone - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 7. The Showtimers - Can't You See That She's Mine - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 8. The Showtimers - You Must Be Joking - His Master's Voice Pop 1328 (1964) 

 9. The Showtimers - A Little Loving - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 10. The Showtimers - Here I Go Again - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 11. The Showtimers - We Are Al'right - Showtime 1 (1964) 

 12. The Showtimers - I Love You Baby (Anka) - Showtime 1 (1964) 

Having only the above EP, I've been looking for a long time for both the album itself and the songs that are included in it, but this is a gift from Jaimoto. Thank you very much for this.

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