The Carefrees were a British group formed in 1964, most known for their song "We Love You Beatles". Although often referred to as a girl group, the Carefrees consisted of three women and three men: female vocalists Lynn Cornell, Barbara Kay and Betty Prescott, and male vocalists/instrumentalists Don Ridell (piano, organ), Johnny Evans (sax, flutes), and John Stevens (drums).

Cornell had previously been in The Vernons Girls, and was married to Andy White, who played drums on one of the versions of the Beatles' "Love Me Do". As a solo artist, Cornell's 1960 recording of "Never on Sunday" reached No. 30 in the UK Singles Chart.

The Carefrees

Prescott had also been a vocalist in The Vernons Girls, as well as having been a vocalist in The Breakaways.

The Carefrees

"We Love You Beatles" was The Carefrees' first recording and only charted single, reaching #39 on the US Billboard Hot 100. After one further single and an album (consisting of the singles, plus numerous covers of current British Invasion hits), the group disbanded in 1964, the year they were formed.

The Carefrees

Post-Carefrees, Prescott returned to The Breakaways, who featured as backing vocalists on scores of recordings by Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, Lulu and many others. Cornell joined The Pearls, who charted in the UK with several singles between 1972 and 1974, including their Top 10 hit, "Guilty".

Discography

Albums

1964: We Love You All

Singles

1964: "We Love You Beatles" 1964: "The Paddy Whack"

References

Beatlemaniacs: The World of Beatles Novelty Records (audio CD). Ace CDCHD 1075. Liner notes.

British pop music groups

Musical groups established in 1964