The Naturals were one of the more mysterious bands ever to chart with a cover of a Beatles song. Not much is known for sure about them, other than their origins and lineup. They came out of Harlow, Essex, with a lineup that included Ricky Potter on lead vocals and Curt Creswell on lead guitar, and were at one point apparently known as the Blue Beats, before taking on the name the Cossacks and finally settling on the Naturals in early 1964. They were signed to EMI's Parlophone label at around this same time, and made their debut late that winter with "Daisy Chain" b/w "That Girl." The record didn't do anything, but their rendition of "I Should Have Known Better," from the soundtrack of A Hard Day's Night, made the U.K. charts in the summer of 1964, peaking at number 24. That record even earned them a performing (or, really, miming) spot on Ready! Steady! Go! for August 14, 1964, marking the peak of the group's national exposure. The Beatles cover proved a fluke in their history, however, and one they were never able to repeat or build on -- two more singles followed that never charted, and by early 1965 the band had called it quits. Creswell and Roy Heather later resurfaced as members of the Living Daylights. Bruce Eder

Possibly the only publicity photograph of The Naturals in existence (bottom right) make the band look a bunch of chartered accountants on their annual day out and for all that is known about them, this may well have been their true vocation. They were from Harlow, Essex, and at one point were known as both the Blue Beats and the Cossacks before finally settling on The Naturals. Having signed to EMI's Parlophone label they released their debut single "Daisy Chain" but it failed to trouble the charts. Some bright spark from the band's management team then hit upon the tried and tested formula of covering a Beatle song that The Fabs had not actually released as a 45 themselves and with plenty of items to choose from, The Naturals rendition of "I Should Have Known Better," from A Hard Day's Night, reached No. 24 during the summer of 64. The record earned them a spot on Ready! Steady! Go! during August but despite releasing two further singles it became apparent that the band had already played their trump card early in their career and they were consequently unable to capitalise on this success. Inevitably by early 1965, no doubt having regarded playing Bridgwater as the peak of their career, the band had already called it quits.

Below is a questionaire filled out by Roy Hoather:

Band: The Naturals.
Harlow, Essex, England

1963-1965

Managed by Dick James of The Beatles. Met all the Beatles and recorded
"I Should Have Known Better" from the Beatles first film "A Hard Days Night"

Influences: The Beatles,The Hollies, Procol Harum

Setlist Sample: I Should Have Known Better, Keep on Running

Equipment: All VOX Amps, Gibson Guitars, Slingerland Drums.

Rehearsal Space: Eastwick Village Hall Harlow, Essex.

Band Vehicles:
Commer Mini bus.

Fashion Statement: Smart suits made by the Beatles tailor.

Best Gig: Talk of the Town (London), played with Dusty Springfield.

Gig from Hell!: Manchester Uni,When we turned up there were thousands of fans, only later to find that they all came to see "The Spencer Davis Band". When they had finished supporting us 95% of the fans went home and left us to play to a handful of people.

Last Gig: Can't remember.

RIGHT...... I Should Have Known Better - The Naturals on YouTube