The Searchers are looking towards a celebrating 50 years!

Why is a band that topped the charts in the early 1960s still touring decades later? The answer is simple: "So I can say 'I'm in The Searchers'. I don't want to say 'I used to be in The Searchers'," explains bassist Frank Allen.

With worldwide record sales well in excess of 40 million behind them, Frank and Co could quite comfortably retire tomorrow. But, fortunately for the fans, he's having too much fun.

"I don't have to work," he says. "But I enjoy it. We all love going on stage."

Although The Searchers never split up – despite several fall-outs, sackings, line-up changes, suicide and a court case – they did go through a bit of a hit drought, but have been enjoying a revival over the past few years.

The band reaches the big five-oh in 2012 and Frank is determined to reach the milestone. "There's no plans to retire even after that," he says. "We'll have to see how it goes, but it's more fun now than it's ever been.

"We have nice cars to travel in and life is very good. Retirement doesn't really compute with us. I don't know what else I'd do. I'm enjoying it."

Loved by fans across the world for hits including Sweets For My Sweet, Sugar and Spice, Needles and Pins, Love Potion Number Nine, When You Walk In The Room and Goodbye My Love, to name just a few, The Searchers were one of the most popular bands of their era.

At a time when you might expect them to be taking a more leisurely pace, they're now busier than ever, touring around the world with shows in Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK.

In between touring, Frank found the time to write a book on the history of the band – The Searchers and Me – which takes readers through all the highs and lows.

"People are bringing it to the shows now to get it signed," he says. "It goes right through the history, anything and everything."

After looking back through their career for the book, Frank has found himself reminiscing about the band's achievements. "The first time playing in America, playing with The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes," he says of his career highlights. "You find yourself reminiscing, thinking about things you could have done differently, but relishing positions you were lucky to be in. My whole life's been privileged."

Info

The Searchers play Loughborough Town Hall tomorrow.

Tickets cost £17.