ABOUT THE BOOK
Who are The Applejacks?
The Applejacks were a beat group who had pop music success between 1964 and 1967. This was at, arguably, the most innovative and explosive time in pop musical history, led by The Beatles.
To my knowledge there have been no books written exclusively about The Applejacks. This is the main reason why I decided to write this book; the old adage, ‘if you want something done, do it yourself’. I think The Applejacks deserve to have a book that tells their story.
As seen in the book, there are some interesting links with The Beatles. Therefore, The Applejacks story is worth telling, as it complements The Beatles story.
The (original) Applejacks are: Megan Davies (Bass Guitar), Gerry Freeman (Drums), Martin Baggott (Lead Guitar), Phil Cash (Rhythm Guitar), Don Gould (Piano), and Al Jackson (Singer).
What’s in the book?
A 300+ page detailed biography based on magazine articles, newspaper archives, and conversations with The Applejacks themselves.
Comparisons and links with The Beatles history.
Imagery from archive photos and memorabilia - including from the author’s and The Applejacks personal collections.
Detailed narrative based on the views of an avid Applejacks and Beatles fan.
Applejacks Discography and detailed Gig and TV/Radio listings.
The Applejacks Contribution
I was fortunate enough to host two Zoom Video get-togethers with the original Applejacks members. The first was held on Sunday 1 November 2020, with Megan, Gerry, Phil, Al and Martin in attendance. Unfortunately, Don was unable to attend on that evening due to illness. The second Zoom was held on Sunday 20 December 2020, and this time Don was able to attend, and so all six original group members were in attendance. My friend and fellow author David Bedford also attended both sessions.
The remarkable output from the reminiscing has been incorporated throughout the book in the form of quotes, which have been compiled as accurately as possible from the Zoom videos. I was also given access to original scrapbooks that were compiled by Don’s mother in the 1960’s.
I am so grateful for the group members being so supportive in providing such detail, as it really brings The Applejacks story to life.
Quotes from The Applejacks:
“We came together through music and would probably have never chosen each other as friends, but last night we were reminded of how very close we were for all that time, in more ways than one!”
MEGAN
“Reminds me how lucky we all were that fate brought us together like that, and that we all snapped right back into being The Applejacks again. An innocent time in music that hadn’t become spoilt. Loved it.”
MARTIN
“I think one of the things I’d like to say is at the end of it all, we’re still friends, we’re mates. And that’s why I mentioned that photograph earlier on, because it’s all of us stood by a wall when I was 70. And that’s a long time.”
AL
“It was such a pleasure for me in particular and Phil (he’s nearly as bad as I am) to hear about some of the things some or all of us got up to in those days. I’d definitely forgotten such a lot of what was mentioned last night, particularly by Al and Megan, who both seem to have fantastic memories of those times. I’m really jealous..”
GERRY
Applejacks Singles
Please click on the underlined titles below to hear the song.
Tell Me When (UK Chart Peak No. 7, April 1964)
Like Dreamers Do (UK Chart Peak No. 20, July 1964)
Three Little Words (I Love You) (UK Chart Peak No. 23, October 1964)
Bye Bye Girl
I Go To Sleep
I’m Through