Originally known as the Blue Jays, then the Four Jays, then the Four Mosts, the band comprised: Brian O'Hara (b. 12 March 1942, Liverpool, England, d. 27 June 1999, Liverpool, England; lead guitar/vocals), Mike Millward (b. 9 May 1942, Bromborough, Cheshire, England, d. March 1966; rhythm guitar/vocals), Billy Hatton (b. 9 June 1941, Liverpool, England; bass) and Dave Lovelady (b. 16 October 1942, Liverpool, England; drums) achieved momentary fame under the management wing of Brian Epstein. The unit had already been part of the boom of beat music in Liverpool, and played the famous Cavern Club in 1961, long before the Beatles had made their debut. After being auditioned by George Martin they were signed to Parlophone Records, the same label as the Beatles. Two commercial John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs, "Hello Little Girl" and "I'm In Love", served as their initial a-sides, but the unflinchingly chirpy "A Little Lovin'" became the quartet's biggest hit on reaching number 6 in April 1964.
An archetypal merseybeat group, the Fourmost's later releases veered from Tamla/Motown with an excellent version of the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" to the music hall humour of George Formby ("Aunt Maggie's Remedy") and their unswerving "show business" professionalism was deemed anachronistic in the wake of the R&B boom. Millward developed leukemia and recovered from the chemotherapy but he then died in March 1966. Some reports stated that he died of throat cancer. This tragedy undermined the group's confidence, and despite McCartney's continued patronage - he produced their 1969 rendition of "Rosetta" - the Fourmost were later consigned to the cabaret circuit and variety engagements. The Fourmost were one of the better outfits to come from the Merseybeat era. Their vocal prowess was powerful and their instrumental delivery always crisp and punchy. Brian O'Hara continued the name until the early 80s before moving onto become a second-hand car dealer. He committed suicide in 1999.
