Jackie Lomax

Jackie Lomax began his musical career in Liverpool in 1961, when his group, Dee and the Dynamites were just one of many Merseybeat bands which included, of course, The Beatles. In 1962, he joined The Undertakers, one of the more successful Liverpool groups at the time, as lead vocalist/bass player. The Undertakers were known as the hard rockers of Merseybeat and played soul covers, including their most popular number, '(Do The) Mashed Potatoes' originally by Nat Kendrick and The Swans. They also often backed Beryl Marsden and The Chants.

In July 1962 the group went to Hamburg which was where many Liverpool groups were getting big breaks, but The Undertakers made the mistake of rejecting Brian Epstein's offer to manage them, choosing instead Ralph Webster who kept them in constant live work in Liverpool. They signed to Pye Records in 1963 under Tony Hatch but their four singles failed to achieve chart success. They left the label and moved to America but fame and fortune did not find them there, and the group soon disbanded. Jackie formed another group, 'The Lomax Alliance' and in 1967 they were bought back to London by Brian Epstein to play at his Saville Theatre. They were signed to CBS records and an album deal was agreed, but Epstein's death in August 67 left the group in pieces. The album was never completed, and Jackie returned to America where he met John Lennon, who told him to contact Apple Publishing with his demos. George Harrison heard the demos and liked them. He offered to produce an album for Jackie, on his return from India. And so Jackie Lomax became the first artist to sign for Apple Records, and George Harrison wrote and produced his debut single. Sour Milk Sea featured Jackie, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton on guitars, Paul McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, and Nicky Hopkins on piano. Bearing the catalogue number 'Apple 3', it was released on 6th September 1968 and despite the superstar line-up it failed to chart. Jackie recorded more tracks with George and LA session musicians, and his first solo album 'Is This What You Want?' was released in March 1969. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music says of the album: '…featured contributions from a host of star names including Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton. The artist's stylish compositions and superb voice were equal to such esteemed company.'

However, the album was promoted and despite the eminence of the musicians who contributed to the album, it still did not sell enough copies feature in either the British or American charts.

In April 1969, Jackie wrote and produced a song called New Day that featured another Beatleweek guest, Billy Kinsley of The Merseybeats on bass. The song was released as Jackie Lomax's second single, his final Apple single being How The Web Was Woven; another Harrison produced song which was recorded in October 1969.

The Beatles broke-up and Jackie went back to the States where he spent the next few years working with various bands and still pursuing a successful solo career. The Beatles featured briefly again in his life in 1977 when Klaus Voormann designed the cover for his album 'Did You Ever Have That Feeling?'.

Jackie moved to California where he still lives, and although he has continued to write and perform music, little of it has never been released. In 2001 he recorded his first solo album in many years, entitled 'The Ballad of Liverpool Slim', which is available via the mp3.com website. We are delighted to have Jackie Lomax joining us as a special guest this year.