Cy Tucker, Liverpool and The Beatles

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 27^th 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

Please follow and like us:

Author: David Bedford

David Bedford grew up in The Dingle, attended the primary school that Ringo Starr did, before moving to Penny Lane, where his three daughters attended Dovedale Primary School, where John Lennon and George Harrison had previously attended. His first book, "Liddypool" was published in 2009, now in its third edition. His second book, "The Fab one hundred and Four" was published in 2013, and his third book, "Finding the Fourth Beatle" was published in 2018. He was also the Associate Producer and Beatles historian for the documentary feature film, "Looking for Lennon". He is working on several other projects at the moment, View all posts by David Bedford