David Bedford
Liverpool’s First Casualty of the Coronavirus witnessed Beatlemania
Outside of Liverpool, you’ve probably never heard of Cy Tucker. He was a legend around Liverpool and performed on the same bill as The Beatles, but sadly, he is Liverpool’s first casualty of the coronavirus.
Cy Tucker, born Thomas Thornton in 1943, played guitar and sang with Liverpool group The Cinnamons who played Litherland Town Hall on 27th December 1960, while waiting for another group to arrive. “I was bashing my brains out for a couple of hours for 30 bob,” said Tucker. “Then the Beatles came on and the girls went berserk.” This was the night when The Beatles, having returned from Hamburg, took Liverpool by storm.
Paul McCartney
Tucker then joined Earl Preston And The TTs as the second lead vocalist; this was the group that beat The Beatles in a poll in Mersey Beat. A single of the hit ballad, “My Prayer” came out in Cy Tucker’s name. “I met Paul McCartney in the Blue Angel one night. He said; You’re on the Oriole LP, This Is Mersey Beat, you’ve got a single by yourself and one with Earl Preston. You’ve got to have a hit with one of them.” But it never really happened in a big way for one of Liverpool’s great beat groups.
Cy Tucker and the Friars
He had other solo records, but became one of the most popular local acts until his death, as Cy Tucker and the Friars. His ability to sing those big, emotional ballads never disappointed his Liverpool audiences.
Rest in Peace: Thomas “Cy Tucker” Thornton
fergy
RIP thank you for your life in music