The Cryin' Shames

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The Cryin' Shames
Origin	London, England
Years active	1964-1966
Label(s)	Decca

The Cryin' Shames were a mid 1960s pop/beat group, produced by Joe Meek. They had one hit single in 1966 with a cover of The Drifters' 1961 "Please Stay", written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard.

The sextet was initially renamed from 'The Bumblies' (founded 1963 in Liverpool, managed by Norman Eastwood). The name Bumblies came from a TV show starring Michael Bentine. The Bumblies were comprised of Charlie Crane (vocals), Joey Kneen (vocals), John Bennett (guitar), Phil Roberts (keyboards), George Robinson (bass guitar), Charlie Gallagher (drums)

Phil Roberts and Joey Kneen came from 'The Calderstones' that also featured Tom Evans (Badfinger) and Pete Maxwell, the latter of whom died in the mid 1960s.

After recording their first single, The Cryin' Shames' John Bennett was replaced by Ritchie Routledge from 'The Aztects' (also from Liverpool).

After "Please Stay" was a minor hit (#24, UK Singles Chart), the band was approached by Brian Epstein, who wanted to manage them, but they refused.The band met Epstien in the Adelphi hotel in Liverpool and refused his offer.^{[citation needed]}

Routledge later led Blackwater Park, an English-German band (early 1970s), and was part of Grimms. Crane went on to be lead singer of 'Gary Walker and The Rain'.