Big Three

The Big Three were a Merseybeat group from Liverpool. They are best known for their 1963 recording of "Some Other Guy" and their close connection to The Beatles. The Big Three evolved from a group called Cass and the Cassanovas, formed in May 1959 by Brian Casser as a trio comprising Casser (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Adrian Barber (lead guitar, vocals), and Brian J. Hudson (drums). The original line-up played at St George's Hall, Liverpool, on Friday, 15 May 1959. Johnny Hutchinson replaced Hudson in July 1959. In need of a bass guitarist, Hutchinson brought in Johnny Gustafson in December. At that time, Gustafson did not have a proper bass guitar, so Barber converted an acoustic for him. Gustafson's first gig was at The Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, on 31 December 1959. (read more on wikipedia)
== Links to Peel ==
The Big Three had no major hits either in Britain or the USA, but Peel heard "You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand" (the b-side to their single "If You Ever Change Your Mind" ) during his American radio years - although the record, issued in the UK in 1964, doesn't seem to have had a US release.. Later, having left his record collection behind when he returned from California, he asked his Perfumed Garden listeners (on air) on 16 July 1967 and readers (in his International Times columm, issue 21, 17-30 November 1967) to send him a copy. By 1973 he had obtained one, and featured it in the show of 24 April 1973, returning to it repeatedly in his later years (as shown below)
A copy later turned up in the course of his Little Richard Cover Search. On 02 August 1979 he made clear his love of "one of the classic guitar solos" by playing it again twice, once at the wrong speed. After his death, the single "If You Ever Change Your Mind/You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand" was found in John Peel's Record Box.
== Shows Played ==
;thumb|330x330px1969
*29 November 1969: You Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (b-side of single 'If You Ever Change Your Mind') Decca
;1972
*23 June 1972: Reelin’ & Rockin’ (EP – At The Cavern) Decca
;1973
*24 April 1973: You’ve Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (single – If You Ever Change Your Mind b-side, 1964) Decca
;1979
*02 August 1979: You've Got To Keep Her Underhand (single, 1964)
;thumb|330x330px1980
*04 June 1980: Cavern Stomp (v/a album - Mersey Sounds) Decca
*12 June 1980: By The Way (v/a album - Mersey Sounds) Decca
*30 June 1980: Don't Start Running Away (LP - Mersey Sounds) Decca
;1981
*09 April 1981: Reelin' And Rockin' ('At The Cavern' EP) Decca
;1983
*03 January 1983: You've Gotta Keep Her Underhand (v/a album - Liverpool 1963-1964 Volume Two) See For Miles
;1992
*21 March 1992: 'You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7"-B side of If You Ever Change Your Mind)' (Decca)
*29 March 1992 (BFBS): You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7" - If You Ever Change Your Mind) Decca
;1994
*03 June 1994: Some Other Guy (Various Artists LP - Hits Of The Mersey Era Volume One ) EMI
;1995
*03 February 1995: You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7 inch) Decca
*11 February 1995 (BFBS): 'You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7")' (Decca)
*11 February 1995 (BBC World Service): 'You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7")' (Decca)
;1998
*26 August 1998: You Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7”) Decca
;2001
*14 January 2001 (BFBS): 'You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7"-If You Ever Change Your Mind)' (Decca)
*24 January 2001: If You Ever Change Your Mind (7") Decca
;2003
*24 June 2003: 'You've Gotta Keep Her Under Hand (7"-If You Ever Change Your Mind)' (Decca)
== See Also ==
*Rock Family Trees: The Mersey Sound: Big Three feature in Peel-narrated TV documentary on the Merseybeat bands of the early 1960s.
*Cavern Club
*International Times: Perfumed Garden Column
*Disc & Music Echo: Peel Columns
* Sounds
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
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