As sound recordings go, they did not get much better than this.

After nearly 70 years on the road, legendary sixties band The Searchers have hung up their guitars and drum sticks.

And Eastleigh's Concorde Club was the final stop of a Thank You Tour as a mark of respect and appreciation for the legions of fans who have supported them over the years.

READ MORE: 'Britpop brilliance': Ocean Colour Scene, Cast and Echobelly at Summer Sessions

Twenty four hours after headlining at the Stoneham Lane Club, The Searchers, who have etched themselves into pop history as the world's longest running band, stepped onto Glastonbury's Acoustic Stage for their pop song swansong and Glasto debut.

The Concorde has become accustomed to staging emotion-charged pop farewells. Last year Merrill Osmond from one of the world's most famous pop families signed off his star studded career.

It was particularly emotional night for the Searchers' sole survivor John McNally, who in the mid fifties was one of the founders of the band.

Wearing Cuban heels – a big fashion note from the sixties – the 83-year-old sprinted on stage if he was setting off on his pop career.

The Searchers hit the ground running with their first hit single, Sweets for My Sweet, a cover of a Drifters number, which went to number one in 1963 and they had a string of hits over the next two years including Sugar and Spice, Don't Throw Your Love Away and When You Walk in the Room.

They became the second Liverpool band after The Beatles to have a hit in America when Needles and Pins stormed up the charts in 1964. Sweets for My Sweet was the cue for one big Eastleigh party as their army of fans swayed and danced to timeless hits – they knew every word! – which became the soundtrack of their teenage years.

(Image: Duncan Eaton) It was the hottest ticket in town with every room filled in the club's nearby hotel. Searchers' merchandise flew off the shelves, later to be signed by band members John McNally, Frank Allen, Spencer James and Richie Burns.

Earlier Allen, the band's 81 year-old biographer, who joined the band in 1964 as singer and bass guitarist, explained how they had difficulty in retiring.

Their Eastleigh appearance marked their fourth final tour. The long pop goodbye began in 2019 and Allen said: “Frank Sinatra would have been jealous.”

There was not a dry eye in the house as the veteran rocker added: “After Glastonbury this really is goodbye.”

McNally fired up his trademark rapid fire 12 string guitar as he paid homage to his rock hero Buddy Holly, the man who started it all, with Peggy and Oh Boy.

As the band took their final bow, Allen said: “One big thankyou for all your support over the years and the hits.”

Then it was time for rock royalty, whose careers were coated in Sugar and Spice and all things nice to leave the building.