Graham Gouldman’s ‘For Your Love’ Was Considered For The Beatles Before The Yardbirds

In an alternate universe the Graham Gouldman penned The Yardbirds classic ‘For Your Love’ could have been a Beatles song.

Manager/Publisher Harvey Lisberg heard Graham’s song and thought it would have been a great song for The Beatles to record. Lisberg talks about it in his upcoming book ‘I’m Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman’s Hermits & Many More!’, due March 30.

Graham says the story is absolutely true. He tells Noise11.com, “He had suggested that it should go to The Beatles and I pointed out to him that The Beatles were okay in the songwriters department.

“What happened was a strange thing. Our publisher said ‘that ain’t going to happen’ but as it happened The Yardbirds were supporting The Beatles at the Hammersmith Odeon for a Christmas concert. I think that’s what gave them the idea to give the song to The Yardbirds.
“They loved it. They were looking at that time for a commercial song. They were basically a Rhythm & Blues band. They wanted some commercial success and looked to other songwriters to provide that. I was very fortunate they liked my song and recorded it.”

The Yardbirds released the single on 5 March, 1965. At the time, Eric Clapton was the guitarist for the band.

‘For Your Love’ reached no 1 in the UK and no 4 in the USA.

10cc will return to Australia in June to play everywhere.

Dates are:

CAIRNS Performing Arts Centre – Wednesday June 7
CALOUNDRA The Events Centre – Thursday June 8
BRISBANE Fortitude Music Hall – Friday June 9
TWEED HEADS Twin Towns – Saturday June 10 & Sunday June 11
NEWCASTLE The Civic Centre – Tuesday June 13
FORSTER Club Forster – Wednesday June 14
WYONG The Art House – Thursday June 15
PENRITH Evan Theatre – Friday June 16
SYDNEY Darling Harbour Theatre – Saturday June 17
BLUE MOUNTAINS Theatre – Sunday June 18
CANBERRA Llewelyn Theatre – Wednesday June 21
WOLLONGONG Anita’s Theatre – Thursday June 22
CHELSEA HEIGHTS Hotel – Friday June 23
GEELONG Costa Hall – Saturday June 24
MELBOURNE The Palais Theatre – Sunday June 25
BENDIGO Ulumbarra Theatre – Wednesday June 28
HOBART Wrest Point – Thursday June 29
ADELAIDE Thebarton Theatre – Friday June 30
DARWIN The Playhouse Theatre – Saturday July 1
PERTH Astor Theatre – Sunday July 2

The live band’s line-up is:
Graham Gouldman – bass, guitars, vocals
Rick Fenn – lead guitar, vocals, bass
Paul Burgess – drums, percussion
Mick Wilson – vocals, percussion, guitar, keyboards
Mike Stevens – keyboards, guitar, bass, sax, vocals

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