One of Britain’s longest-running bands is calling it quits after more than six decades in the music industry.

The iconic group who formed in the sixties have confirmed they will retire following a farewell tour across the UK, with their final-ever performance set for this summer’s Glastonbury Festival.

The Searchers who rose to fame alongside The Beatles, were known for classics like Sweet For My Sweet, Needles and Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away.

Bassist Frank Allen, 81, cited age and increasingly difficult travel as key reasons behind the decision, admitting the band once performed up to 200 shows a year but now finds the demands of touring too challenging.

Speaking to The Guardian he said: ‘There was never a problem with recovering from a show because that’s the thing that brings you to life.

‘We were always fit to do a show. It’s just the driving up and down motorways.’

One of Britain's longest-running bands is calling it quits after more than six decades in the music industry
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One of Britain’s longest-running bands is calling it quits after more than six decades in the music industry

Iconic group The Searchers, who formed in the sixties have confirmed they will retire following a farewell tour across the UK, with their final-ever performance set for this summer's Glastonbury Festival
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Iconic group The Searchers, who formed in the sixties have confirmed they will retire following a farewell tour across the UK, with their final-ever performance set for this summer’s Glastonbury Festival

Saying that nobody had ever asked them to play at Worthy Farm before, Frank mused: ‘The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career.’

John McNally, 83, who formed the band when he was just 16 years old added: ‘A Glastonbury debut at 83! Can anyone top that?

‘We can’t wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.’

The Searchers have sold an estimated 50 million albums throughout their lengthy career.

Over the years, the band has seen several lineup changes, including longtime drummer Eddie Rothe, who was engaged to singer and TV star Jane McDonald.

Eddie played with the band for decades before leaving in 2010 after getting engaged to Jane. He passed away from lung cancer in 2021.

It comes as Sir Rod Stewart, Neil Young, The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo have been confirmed as the headline acts for this year’s Glastonbury.

Both are The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo are set to perform on the festival’s main Pyramid Stage, with The 1975, fronted by 35-year-old Matty Healy, likely to appear on the Friday night and Olivia, 22, on the Sunday night.

The Searchers who rose to fame alongside The Beatles, were known for classics like Sweet For My Sweet, Needles and Pins and Don't Throw Your Love Away
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The Searchers who rose to fame alongside The Beatles, were known for classics like Sweet For My Sweet, Needles and Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away

Bassist Frank Allen, 81, cited age and increasingly difficult travel as key reasons behind the decision, admitting the band once performed up to 200 shows a year but now finds the demands of touring too challenging
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Bassist Frank Allen, 81, cited age and increasingly difficult travel as key reasons behind the decision, admitting the band once performed up to 200 shows a year but now finds the demands of touring too challenging

The Searchers have sold an estimated 50 million albums throughout their lengthy career and have said performing at the legnedary festival is a great way to round off their final tour and career
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The Searchers have sold an estimated 50 million albums throughout their lengthy career and have said performing at the legnedary festival is a great way to round off their final tour and career

Heart Of Gold singer Paul Young, 79, is expected to perform on Saturday while 80-year-old Sir Rod will do the traditional Sunday teatime ‘legends’ slot.

A Glastonbury source suggested there may still be another surprise appearance from a ‘major, major band’ to be announced, but said this would not impact the main stage headliners.

Matty Healy is a former boyfriend of Taylor Swift, and son of actors Denise Welch and Tim Healy.

The band have released five albums, all of which went to No 1, and have said headlining the main stage at the festival was their ‘ultimate goal’.

It comes as Sir Rod Stewart, Neil Young, The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo (pictured) have been confirmed as the headline acts for this year¿s Glastonbury
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It comes as Sir Rod Stewart, Neil Young, The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo (pictured) have been confirmed as the headline acts for this year’s Glastonbury

British pop-rock band The 1975 fronted by 35-year-old Matty Healy who formerly dated Taylor Swift have said headlining the main stage at the festival was their ¿ultimate goal¿
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British pop-rock band The 1975 fronted by 35-year-old Matty Healy who formerly dated Taylor Swift have said headlining the main stage at the festival was their ‘ultimate goal’

80-year-old Sir Rod Stewart will perform the traditional Sunday teatime ¿legends¿ slot (pictured in concert at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock)
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80-year-old Sir Rod Stewart will perform the traditional Sunday teatime ‘legends’ slot (pictured in concert at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock)

Signing Olivia also helps Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis head off criticism over the lack of female acts booked for this year’s event, which runs from June 25 to 29.

She faced a huge backlash in 2023 when Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Sir Elton John took top billing – without a single female headliner.

Last year she compensated by booking Dua Lipa and SZA as headliners and Shania Twain for the legends slot.

Olivia, 22, performed at Worthy Farm in 2022 on the smaller Other Stage. Since then she has amassed almost 40million followers on Instagram and won three Grammys.