The Big Three

Artist

The Big Three

Data may be outdated

Last updated: 6 months ago — Click refresh to get the latest statistics.

Around the time <a href="spotify:artist:3WrFJ7ztbogyGnTHbHJFl2">the Beatles</a> started recording, the Big Three were one of their biggest Liverpool rivals. Their then-novel power trio attack was anchored by drummer Johnny "Hutch" Hutchinson, who actually filled the drum set for <a href="spotify:artist:3WrFJ7ztbogyGnTHbHJFl2">the Beatles</a> as an emergency replacement on a few gigs. Managed by <a href="spotify:artist:2A3KGd7NkgkLzqudWj7jbc">Brian Epstein</a> as well, the Big Three were renowned locally as a tough, R&B-inflected outfit, but were made to cover pop material more suited for <a href="spotify:artist:3UmBeGyNwr4iDWi1vTxWi8">Gerry & the Pacemakers</a> on most of their singles. The group only managed to cut four singles in 1963 and 1964, as well as a Live at the Cavern EP that was the only official release recorded at one of the most legendary rock clubs of all time. A couple of these singles dented the British Top 40 briefly, but the original lineup broke up in late 1963; bassist <a href="spotify:artist:2ipmz7XqPfwKq9gLXGxv9j">Johnny Gustafson</a> went on to join <a href="spotify:artist:41qTjISnBzDLRlrJEJNGKj">the Merseybeats</a> for a time and played on three albums by <a href="spotify:artist:3fhOTtm0LBJ3Ojn4hIljLo">Roxy Music</a> in the '70s. While eyewitness accounts affirm that the Big Three were a powerful live outfit, they were unsuccessful at translating this energy to record, which doomed their status to a footnote of the British Invasion. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

Monthly Listeners

4,247

Followers

1,675

Top Cities

70 listeners
69 listeners
68 listeners
62 listeners
53 listeners

Links