The Big Three were a British beat and rock and roll group. Their power trio… Read Full Bio ↴The Big Three were a British beat and rock and roll group. Their power trio format (as implied by their name) and raucous yet refined live performances and groundbreaking high levels of wattage made them one of the most beloved and highly regarded Merseybeat groups, second only to The Beatles in popularity. The Big Three's 1963 single, "Some Other Guy", reached #36 on the British singles charts. Their 1963 live EP, At the Cavern, is a well-regarded document of the live scene of the infamous Cavern Club.
The Big Three evolved from a group called Cass & The Cassanovas which were formed in the late 50's by Brian Casser. Although originally a four-piece outfit, by 1959 they had slimmed down to a trio comprising of Casser (guitar/vocals), Adrian Barber (guitar) and Johnny Hutchinson (drums). In need of a bass guitarist, Hutchinson brought in Johnny Gustafson. At that time Gustafson didn't have a proper bass guitar so Barber converted an acoustic for him.
Late in 1960, Casser left the group and moved to London reducing them to a trio again. 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 stable and sent them over to Hamburg. It was during that trip that Brian Griffiths joined the group, Barber left, and the best-known line-up of the Big Three was established. Their musicianship and attack were legendary and they exerted a considerable influence on their contemporaries.
Epstein arranged for them to audition for Decca Records and they recorded "Some Other Guy". The group were not happy with the recording and appalled when they were told that Decca would be releasing it and wouldn't allow them a proper recording session so they could perform the song they way they wished it to be played.
Instead of understanding why the Big Three were so popular - because of their aggressive sound, their wildness, their casual appearance on stage - he 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 and the Hurricanes formed the Seniors and left for Germany. Hutchinson replaced them with Faron and Paddy Chambers from Faron's Flamingos.
By mid-'64 their days were numbered. Paddy Chambers left and was replaced by Paul Pilnick from the All Stars. Pilnick only stayed a short time before moving on to Tony Jackson and the Vibrations. Hutchinson received an offer to join Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes but declined, opting instead to hang up his drumsticks.
Their best memorial is probably the E.P. "At The Cavern", actually recorded in 1963 and featuring the classic Griffiths/Gustafson/Hutchinson line-up, which conveys something of the excitement they created in their heyday.
Johnny "Hutch" Hutchinson died in 2019.
Members
Adrian Barber – lead guitar, vocals (1959–1962)
Brian Casser – rhythm guitar, vocals (1959–1960)
Brian J. Hudson – drums (1959)
Johnny "Hutch" Hutchinson – drums, vocals (1959–1966) (18 July 1940 – 12 April 2019)
Johnny Gustafson – bass guitar (1959–1963, 1973)
Brian Griffiths – lead guitar, vocals (1962–1963, 1973, 1999)
Faron Ruffley – bass guitar (1963–1964, 1999)
Paddy Chambers – lead guitar, vocals (1963–1964)
Paul Pilnick – lead guitar, vocals (1964)
Ray Marshall – bass guitar, vocals (1964–1966)
Barry Womersley (known professionally as Barry Walmsley ) – lead guitar (1964–1966)
Nigel Olsson – drums (1973)
J. Peter Robinson – piano (1973)
Arty Davies – drums (1999)
*Another group called The Big Three, including blues giant Willie Dixon and Leonard Caston, recorded for Columbia in the late 1940's before Dixon began his seminal career with Chess Records.
The Big Three evolved from a group called Cass & The Cassanovas which were formed in the late 50's by Brian Casser. Although originally a four-piece outfit, by 1959 they had slimmed down to a trio comprising of Casser (guitar/vocals), Adrian Barber (guitar) and Johnny Hutchinson (drums). In need of a bass guitarist, Hutchinson brought in Johnny Gustafson. At that time Gustafson didn't have a proper bass guitar so Barber converted an acoustic for him.
Late in 1960, Casser left the group and moved to London reducing them to a trio again. 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 stable and sent them over to Hamburg. It was during that trip that Brian Griffiths joined the group, Barber left, and the best-known line-up of the Big Three was established. Their musicianship and attack were legendary and they exerted a considerable influence on their contemporaries.
Epstein arranged for them to audition for Decca Records and they recorded "Some Other Guy". The group were not happy with the recording and appalled when they were told that Decca would be releasing it and wouldn't allow them a proper recording session so they could perform the song they way they wished it to be played.
Instead of understanding why the Big Three were so popular - because of their aggressive sound, their wildness, their casual appearance on stage - he 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 and the Hurricanes formed the Seniors and left for Germany. Hutchinson replaced them with Faron and Paddy Chambers from Faron's Flamingos.
By mid-'64 their days were numbered. Paddy Chambers left and was replaced by Paul Pilnick from the All Stars. Pilnick only stayed a short time before moving on to Tony Jackson and the Vibrations. Hutchinson received an offer to join Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes but declined, opting instead to hang up his drumsticks.
Their best memorial is probably the E.P. "At The Cavern", actually recorded in 1963 and featuring the classic Griffiths/Gustafson/Hutchinson line-up, which conveys something of the excitement they created in their heyday.
Johnny "Hutch" Hutchinson died in 2019.
Members
Adrian Barber – lead guitar, vocals (1959–1962)
Brian Casser – rhythm guitar, vocals (1959–1960)
Brian J. Hudson – drums (1959)
Johnny "Hutch" Hutchinson – drums, vocals (1959–1966) (18 July 1940 – 12 April 2019)
Johnny Gustafson – bass guitar (1959–1963, 1973)
Brian Griffiths – lead guitar, vocals (1962–1963, 1973, 1999)
Faron Ruffley – bass guitar (1963–1964, 1999)
Paddy Chambers – lead guitar, vocals (1963–1964)
Paul Pilnick – lead guitar, vocals (1964)
Ray Marshall – bass guitar, vocals (1964–1966)
Barry Womersley (known professionally as Barry Walmsley ) – lead guitar (1964–1966)
Nigel Olsson – drums (1973)
J. Peter Robinson – piano (1973)
Arty Davies – drums (1999)
*Another group called The Big Three, including blues giant Willie Dixon and Leonard Caston, recorded for Columbia in the late 1940's before Dixon began his seminal career with Chess Records.
What'd I Say
The Big Three Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'What'd I Say' by these artists:
10. Ray Charles Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Aaron Neville Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Aaron Neville Dr. John John Mayer John Scofield Mavis Staples & Warren Haynes Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Albert King Pop Staples & Steve Cropper Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
All Hits Mix-Masters I can see there's no life without you You fulfill my…
André Hazes Hey mama don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Animals Ever since I was a little kid, I liked to…
Beat Brothers Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Billy Fury You smile at me, an angel Sings you speak my name And…
Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
Blume You have heard it said You shall not murder Whoever murders …
Bob Luman Its sad to think that we're not gonna make it…
Bobby Darin Hey, mama Don't you treat me wrong Come and love me All n…
Cash Johnny & Carter June Come on honey don't you treat me wrong Come and love…
Cash Johnny and June Carter We are not in a position to display these lyrics…
Charlie Daniels Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Cliff Richard Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Cliff Richard & The Shadows Uh, Hey, hey, ah-ah, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh… Hey, what'd I say (tel…
Clifton Chenier Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Dick Dale & The Del-Tones With the sweet drip of every raindrop Time brings you…
Dionne Warwick The moment I wake up Before I put on my makeup I…
Eddie Cochran Hey mama don't you do me wrong Come and love your…
Eddy Mitchell Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Elvis & Jerry Lee Yeah, mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Elvis and Ann-Margaret Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Elvis Presley & Jerry Lee Lewis Yeah, mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Eric Clapton Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
Eric Clapton & John Mayall's Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
Eric Clapton John Mayall Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
Floyd Cramer Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Freddy Fender No New Year's Day to celebrate No chocolate covered candy he…
G.C. Cameron Things felt so perfect Was it worth it? People talk and they…
Garth Brooks Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran Hey mama don't you do me wrong Come and love your…
Gerry & The Pacemakers Hey mama don't treat me wrong Come an love your daddy…
Hep Stars Hej Mamma don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Herbie Mann Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Hound Dog Taylor (Ray Charles) See the gal with the red dress on? She can…
Jack Eubanks His Orchestra and Singers No New Year's Day to celebrate No chocolate covered candy he…
Jack McDuff Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Jean-Michel Bernard It's not enough to say I love you I will show…
Jerry Lee Lewis Hey, mama don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Jerry Lee Lewis & Elvis Presley Yeah, mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Jimmy Smith Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
John Farnham & Tom Jones If I ever had to say goodbye to you Let the…
John Lee Hooker Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
John Mayall Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Feat Eric Clapton Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers feat: Eric Clapton & Peter Green Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers John Mayall Eric Clapton Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall Eric Clapton Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall The Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall;Eric Clapton Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayall?S Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
John Mayer Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
John Scofield Dr. John Warren Haynes John Mayer Aaron Neville and Mavis Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
John Scofield Dr. John Warren Haynes John Mayer Aaron Neville and Mavis Staples Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Johnny Cash Come on honey don't you treat me wrong Come and love…
Johnny Cash (feat. June Carter) Come on honey don't you treat me wrong Come and love…
Johnny Cash / June Carter Cash Come on honey don't you treat me wrong Come and love…
Johnny Cash and June Carter We are not in a position to display these lyrics…
Johnny Cash;June Carter Come on honey don't you treat me wrong Come and love…
Lewis Jerry Lee Yeah, mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Lightnin' Hopkins Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Lyle Lovett Hey Momma don't you treat me wrong Come and love ya…
Mann Herbie Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Manu Hartmann & Band WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELIN' LOW & BLUE WHEN I…
MAYALL John & BLUESBREAKERS The Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
Nick Manson Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Prince I'm still standing in my tears I can't let go it…
Rare Earth Hey, mama Don't you treat me wrong Come and love your daddy …
Ray & Raylettes & the Charles Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Ray Charles The Raylettes Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Ray Charles [What'd I Say1959] Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Rhythm Combination and Brass No New Year's Day to celebrate No chocolate covered candy he…
Ronnie and the Red Caps I GOT HOME JUST IN TIME TO SAY GOODBYE Writers Wayne…
Ronnie Dio and the Prophets Three in the morning, And I'm still awake, So I picked up…
Roy Orbison Hey now mama, Don't you treat me wrong Come and…
ruth brown Hey mama, don′t you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Sam & Dave Say something, I'm giving up on you I'll be the one,…
Sandi & The Accents Ever since I was a little kid, I liked to…
Sheridan & The Beat Brothers Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Solomon Burke Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
Soundtrack - Ray Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Steve Cropper Albert King Pop Staples Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Sue and Mary Loving you is wonderful Something like a miracle Rest assure…
Teddy Robin & The Playboys Baby, here we are; somehow I knew I'd feel like…
The Beat Brothers Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Beatles & Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Beatles feat. Gene Vincent Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Beatles feat. Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Beatles ft. Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Beatles/Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Bluesbreakers Tell your momma, tell your pa, Gonna move you back to…
The Kaisers Well, nothing I said's so important That it can't be shorte…
The MPS Rhythm Combination & Brass No New Year's Day to celebrate No chocolate covered candy he…
The Olympics Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Righteous Brothers Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Rock And Rollers I need to say what i think I need to say…
The Savage Young Beatles Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Savage Young Beatles feat. Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
The Searchers VIctor Nimekam na moto–oh Moto moto–oh (Dj Venji) Dance to …
The Shadows Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love me…
The Slammers Maximum Jive Band Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
The Sorrows The silence, it kills me The boredom, it strikes me It feels…
The V-Rangers This is everything I didn't say Wait, don't tell me Heaven …
Tony Sheridan Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
tony sheridan the beat brothers Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Trini Lopez Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
V.A. Dash How I really feel How I really feel If I say how…
Various Artists Emergency above, Put on your hard hats and invisible gloves …
Vigon Bamy Jay Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Vince Taylor & The Playboys Baby, here we are; somehow I knew I'd feel like…
Willie And The Poor Boys Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis feat. Norah Jones Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Willie Nelson; Wynton Marsalis Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Big Three:
By the Way By the way that you look, I can see your the…
Come Away Melinda Daddy, daddy, come and look See what I have found A little…
Down in the Valley Roses love sunshine, violets love dew Angels in heaven know …
Money featuring Big Tymers, Hot Boys {Juvenile} How you love…
Nora's Dove Well I got a woman, and she's long and tall And…
Rider [Lomax verse 1] I know my rider gonna miss me when…
Ringo Ringo was a grey horse and he could really fly He…
Winken Blinken and Nod Wynken and Blynken and Nod one night Sailed off in a…
Winken' Blinken And Nod Wynken and Blynken and Nod one night Sailed off in a…
Young Girl's Lament When I was a young girl used to seek pleasure When…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Jon Øystein Flink
Sounds so amazing. The feeling of this performance, the ease and the incredible fast tempo … I'm blown away.
Elio Lopez
I always wondered what these guys sounded like. They're damned good! It has been said that the best drummers in Liverpool pre-famous Beatles were Ringo and this fellow. He's very good.
terrypussypower
Brian Griffiths was a top guitarist! One of the best early rock 'n' rollers!
dockta403
+terrypussypower He lived down the street and taught me guitar. Never realized how lucky I was until recently. Really great guy
denporterHDproductions
One of the first EP's I ever bought.... when I was about 15 .....still sounds great today!
Brian Mason
Wow !! great group and vocals. I remember this recording from the 60's - happy days !! I can feel the atmosphere in the background. Skilled musicians. No backing tracks.
nflcolts83
I can’t imagine the atmosphere in this place, building must’ve been shaking. Love this!
DennisVernier
This is my first time hearing these recordings and I think they are great! Most of the world thinks of the Cavern only in terms of the Beatles, and there were wonderful musicians like The Big Three that many people don't even know about. It's amazing. Just goes to show what the music business is like.
bob dufton
Still one of the best Cavern recordings,The Big Three were amazing players,thumping drums, great bass lines,and Griff's guitar, Colorama with rusty strings and good old Vox AC 30,listen to that string bending and 'one man band' big fat open chords, LOVELY !! I still play this regulary, best on their compilation C.D with all their other recorded tracks. Shame the tapes got wiped on all the other live stuff. Cheers BobDufton.
Johnnralph
Rip : Johnny Hutch (18 July 1939 - 12 April 2019) . Lead singer & drummer for the The Big Three .. Rated the most accomplished drummer in Liverpool at the time, he had sat in as a drummer with Joh Lennon's pre Beatles group The Silver Beatles, In 1962 he knocked back an offer from the Beatles manager to be thier drummer after Pete Best was fired. Although he sat in as the drummer for 3 gigs with the Beatles he decided that being with them full time wasn't for him & something that he has said he never regretted. He retired from the music industry in 1966