The Carefrees

The Carefrees were a British group formed in 1964, most known for their song "We Love You Beatles". Though 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 had recorded the minor hit "Never On A Sunday", which reached #30 on the UK charts in 1960.

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

"We Love You Beatles" was The Carefrees first recording and only charted single, reaching #39 on the US 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.

Post-Carefrees, Prescott returned to The Breakaways, who would feature as backing vocalists on scores of recordings by Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, Lulu and many others. Cornell would join The Pearls, who charted in the UK with several singles between 1972 and 1974, including the 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.