Late in 1960, Casser left the group and moved to London reducing them to a trio In January 1961 the Cassanovas re-emerged as the Big Three. Despite being a three-piece they were one of the loudest bands in Liverpool due to Barber's talents in the electronics field. He built the band giant amps, standing over five feet high, which were nicknamed "coffins".

Brian Epstein signed them to his sable and sent them over to Hamburg. It was during that trip that Brian Griffiths joined the group, because Hamburg wanted a four piece group.

line up

•   Adrian Barber                  lead guitar

• ? Johnny Hutchinson           drums

•   Johnny Gustafson             bass guitar

•    Brian Griffiths                  2nd lead guitar

Adrian Barber, decided to stay in Hamburg so the group returned as a trio,  and the best-known line-up of the Big Three was established.

•    Johnny Hutchinson           drums

•    Johnny Gustafson             bass guitar

•     Brian Griffiths                  lead guitar

Not understanding why the Big Three were so popular  Brian put them into suits and began to dilute their sound, choosing lightweight pop numbers and insisting, against their wishes, that they record them 

The Big Three and Epstein terminated their partnership in July 1963, but the damage had been done. Gustafson and Griffiths quit, and with drummer Ian Broad from Rory Storm & the Hurricanes formed the Seniors and left for Germany.

The next line up

•  Johnny Hutchinson          drums

•  Faron Ruffley                 bass guitar   Faron's Flamingos  

•  Paddy Chambers            lead guitar    Faron's Flamingos 

By mid-'64 their days were numbered. Paddy Chambers left and was replaced by Paul Pilnick from the All Stars. Pilnick, Faron left to be replaced by Brad Bradley and they did a stint at the Star club with Howie Casey on Tenor Sax    moved on  Hutchinson received an offer to join Kingsixe Taylor & the Dominoes but declined, He instead hired two more musicians

• Barry Womersley       lead guitar  

• Johnny Hutchinson       drums 

• Ray Marshall             Bass guitar, both ex Rhythm and Blues Inc. 

• But for him the magic was lost and Hutch joined The Spidermen for awhile until the decided to hang up his drumsticks.   

• one off Line up For  a Merseycats Charity Night

•         Brian Griffiths                lead guitar              

          Faron Ruffley                 bass guitar              

          Arty Davies                     drums               

•  2005 Faron reformed a Big Three line up but before the was a chance for the band to perform Faron had a massive heart attack, basically finishing him the business.

• The Line up that might have been

          David Blackstone             lead guitar               The Tabs

                Faron Ruffley                 bass guitar               Faron's Flamingos 

                Arty Davies                    drums                       Faron's Flamingos/  Lee Curtis and the All Stars 

       

Records

 

 

Some Other Guy              / Let True Love begin         1963  Decca

 

Which reached 37 in the charts

The group were not happy with the recording and

Were appalled when they were told Decca

Was releasing and wouldn't allow them

A proper recording session so they could record

The song they way they wished it to be played

Next came

By the way              / Cavern stomp         1963  Decca

 

Which reached 22

Next

I'm With You           / Peanut Butter                1963  Decca

                                                                                       

                                                                                         Next single

If You ever change You mind  / You've got her under hand        1964  Decca 

 In 1963 Decca recorded them live at the Cavern, enough songs for an LP but for some unknown reason a bright spark erased most of the tape,  leaving  just four songs for release as an EP,

don't start running away    -    What'd I say

Reelin and Rockin  -   Zip a Dee doo dah

"The Big Three At The Cavern" with the unforgettable Bob Wooler introduction  released 1964. The Big Three left Brian Epstein and signed with Kennedy Street Enterprises but didn't find success on record again. Three tracks have never been released, "Fortune Teller", "Long Tall Sally" and "Walkin The Dog"  Merseybeat history gone

Record companies never captured what the group

Was about.  The Nearest

Was that

 

1964 Live at The Cavern EP

Album

Cavern Stomp 1995 - Some Other Guy/I'm With You/Let True Love Begin/By The Way/Cavern Stomp/Peanut Butter/Bring It On Home To Me (aka If You Ever Change Your Mind)/What'd I Say/Don't Start Running Away/Zip A Dee Doo Dah/Reelin' And Rockin'/You've Got To Keep Her Under Hand