Biography
Originally known as the Tuxedos, the Kirkbys took shape in Liverpool as a five-piece group assembled and steered by guitarist Jimmy Campbell, himself among the city’s more accomplished yet overlooked songwriters of the era. The founding roster featured Campbell alongside drummer Kenny Goodlass, guitarist John Lloyd, bassist Alby Power, and singer Gerry Savage, the last of whom was soon replaced by Joe Marooth. Their style leaned toward straightforward pop and rock, anchored by firm vocal harmonies, while Campbell and Marooth together supplied several engaging original numbers. The band also proved adaptable to emerging trends: the 1965 track “Don’t You Want Me No More” displayed ringing guitars and Byrds-styled harmonies that captured the early folk-rock spirit, whereas the subsequent “Dreaming” might easily be mistaken for an unused Herman’s Hermits recording. Goodlass departed for the more prosperous Escorts, a group that counted Terry Sylvester among its members, and Mervyn Sharpe took his place on drums; Goodlass later returned after Sharpe’s departure. The Kirkbys remained active into the opening phase of the psychedelic period. Their surviving recordings comprise the 1966 RCA single “It’s a Crime” backed with “I’ve Never Been So Much in Love,” plus two numbers that later appeared on Unearthed Merseybeat.
Albums