
The Applejacks were an English beat group from the 1960s. They had a strange classification as a “Brumbeat” group which translates, according to Wikipedia, as being from the West Midlands -Birmingham area of the UK. They also had the distinction of being the first band from that area to have a top ten UK single in the UK singles charts. Another unusual feature for the band (at that time in history) was having a female bass player.
The Applejacks met the Beatles during rehearsals for a television appearance where Lennon and McCartney provided the group with a song which was to be their second single entitled “Like Dreamers Do.”
“Tell Me When”, their first single, was released in February 1964 (something else very important also happened that month in the US as well) and “Tell Me When” got to the No. 7 position on the UK singles chart.
“Like Dreamers Do” only reached #20 on the UK singles charts, however. Other than the Decca audition Beatles version of the song, the Beatles were never were to officially record a studio version of the song for their own EMI/Capitol label.
The cover of the Applejacks CD compilation disk that I recently purchased on eBay!

Original Applejacks band member signatures that I recently acquired on eBay:
Al Jackson-lead vocals (left the band in 1966)
Martin Baggott-lead guitar
Don Gould-piano
Phil Cash-rhythm guitar
Gerry Freeman-drums–(left 1967)
Megan Davies-bass guitar
It must be noted that this was not the only band configuration of the group.
2 New members were to join the band when two of the original members, Al Jackson and Gerry Freeman, left the group. The band finally went their separate ways in 1967.
Paul Willetts-drums (joined 1967)
John Washington –lead vocal (joined 1966)
These are the signatures of the original 6 members of the band, which I used as a bookplate for my copy of their hardcover biography by Andrew Phillips!

The great Cherry Red label put together this special compilation CD of much of the Applejacks recorded material for the Decca label. It’s interesting to see that not only Lennon/McCartney provided a song to them but also Ray Davies of the Kinks. Copies of this CD are available both on Ebay and on Discogs, the record seeking search service for collectors.

Saw this wonderful link by Malcolm Drew on YouTube which presents the Applejacks at the BBC:
THE APPLEJACKS LIVE AT THE BBC – 1964 – YouTube
Pete Roberts also posted a couple of great video performances by the Applejacks on YouTube:
The Applejacks – Two best songs (Live/Studio) – YouTube
The APPLEJACKS BOOK – LIKE DREAMERS DO
In the past, I have stated clearly that some of my favorite books about the Beatles era are books that fill in lesser-known information about Beatles-related activities and about the other artists who may have interacted with them. I especially love stories about singers or groups that the Beatles gave away some of their early songwriting efforts too. This is particularly true about songs that the Beatles themselves never got the chance or had the desire to record in the studio during the Capitol/EMI time frame.
Here is a book that fits the bill of my description above:
Andrew Phillip’s book about the Applejacks: “Like Dreamers Do” Self-published on the 3rd of March, 2023. The book was published with the complete cooperation and help of the original Applejack members.
I was recently able to secure the last hardcopy version of his book. Andrew still has softcover edition copies available at his website:
The front cover of the sold-out hardcover edition of the book:

The back cover of the book which features some fascinating questions:

The author’s signature in my copy of the book:

The is a great book to acquire if you want to learn more about early 1960’s UK beat groups and the trials and tribulations of being a musical group during those times. It was an exciting time but it also involved a lot of hard work and travelling. Andrew did a fantastic job with this title and he has greatly enhanced and expanded our knowledge of this band and their relationship to Beatles history!
Nigel Pearce’s interview with the band:
The November 24th program of Groove Britain features Nigel Pearce’s excellent interview with the Applejacks. Click on the link provided below and scroll down until you see the November 24th, 2024 program. I do not know how long this program will be available at the link below but you can contact Nigel Pearce at redleadernigel@hotmail.co.uk if you have trouble locating the Applejacks interview which also features the author of the Applejacks book, Andrew Phillips!
Groove Britain with Nigel Pearce – Future Radio
The Beatles Decca version of the song as it appears on YouTube:
Like Dreamers Do (Anthology 1 Version) – YouTube
followed by the Applejacks version of the song:
The Applejacks ~ Like Dreamers Do (1964) – YouTube
Followed by the Applejacks Top Ten UK recording of:
Applejacks – “Tell Me When” (film) (UK Decca) 1964 – YouTube
The Decca 45 of the Applejacks version of the Lennon/McCartney “Like Dreamers Do” number appears below. Only recently did I acquire this item for the collection. You may notice a couple of familiar names on the label (shown below).
One was Mike Smith who with Dick Rowe were part of the decision-making team allegedly that was to decline the Beatles a recording contract based on their Decca audition in Jan of 1962. The other name Mike Leander was the man who was to eventually do the string arrangement for “She’s Leaving Home” on the Sgt. Pepper LP when George Martin was not available for the session when Paul wanted to have the arrangement done. He asked Mike Leander to do it and as a result George Martin later felt hurt that Paul had asked Leander to do the string arrangement for the song.
To me it is also very ironic that one of the men who was involved in the production side of the failed Decca audition of the Beatles was producing a song that the actual writers of the song had performed at that famous Beatles audition. Like Dreamers Do was one of the 15 numbers that the Beatles had performed for Decca in Jan of 1962. Do you think that Mike Smith was ever caught reflecting on that moment and asking himself “what if” we had signed the Beatles?
This is a picture of my copy of the “Like Dreamers Do” 45. I bought it primarily as an example of irony, seeing Mike Smith’s name on the song the Beatles performed at the 1962 audition and Decca being the label that turned the group down. Also bought it for the connection Mike Leander had with the “She’s Leaving Home” Sgt. Pepper track.
I also love to collect obscure cover versions of Beatles-authored songs!
It is great to see that the Applejacks did a great version of the song!
Fate can certainly be fickle and strange!!!

A performance picture of the the band that appears under the discography listing for the Applejacks at Discogs:

More information about the band from Wikipedia:
The Applejacks (British band) – Wikipedia
Concluding remarks:
Andrew Phillips, who wrote the book shown above about the Applejacks, has recently collaborated with blog administrator David Bedford, on a new Beatles book to be issued in the spring of 2025. “What If” we wait to tell you what the premise of that book is going to be? You will be both startled and pleased!!!
BUZZ
Great Blog John, and so glad to be a part of it too. It was a great interview and more importantly it was the first time that all group members were present on radio since 1965. That is a real achievement bearing in mind other stations were trying very hard to do the same!!
A great blog and information pack!!
Loved listening to that Applejacks interview, Nigel. Best Wishes always to you in all of your Beatles-related projects. Be healthy and be happy!
thank you John, and regards to increasing i do have an idea hopefully i will talk to David next week after he has recovered fully from his Brazil trip!!
cheers
Nigel