Mitch Murray – Peter Callender

Songwriter Mitch Murray definitely had his finger on the pulse of the 1960’s music coming out of the UK during that exciting decade.

Mitch Murray was born Lionel Michael Stitcher on January 30th, 1940 in Sussex England. Mitch has the almost-honor of having penned what could have been the very first Beatles’ hit record. George Martin liked “How Do You Do It?” and the future fab four recorded it but it was not released until the 1990’s on the “Anthology 1” release.

So Liverpool group “Gerry and the Pacemakers” jumped on it and that would launch their pop success!

In 1968 Murray would legally take the name “Lionel Michael Stitcher”.

After composing his first successful songs, Murray would begin teaming up with British songwriter Peter Callender and continue turning out the hits. Murray alone and then with Callender were know for the bouncy tunes with catchy lyrics – nothing too heavy but always fun!

Murray’s two daughters, Mazz and Gina, were members of a trio called “Woman”.

Mitch Murray & Peter Callander Selected Songwriter Discography

Several of Murray’s early compositions charted first in the U.K. in 1963 and then later in the U.S.

This is Mitch Murray with Les Reed. Reed was a member of the John Barry Seven and fronted several combos under his name. He composed many charting songs, mostly for British artists including Tom Jones.

Candy Sparling – “Can You Keep a Secret?” (Murray) – January 1963

The Sounds of Les & Mitch – “Why Can’t We Love” b/w “Don’t Wake Me Up” (Murray) – March 1963

Gerry & The Pacemakers – “How Do You Do It?” (Murray) – #9 U.S. – #1 U.K. – March 1963

Gerry & The Pacemakers – “I Like It” (Murray) – #17 U.S. – #1 U.K. – June 1963

Mike Ford & the Consuls – “The Green Man” (Murray) – June 1963

The Big Three – “By the Way” (Murray) – #22 U.K. – July 1963

Freddie & the Dreamers – “I’m Telling You Now” (Murray)- #2 U.K. – August 1963

Carter-Lewis & the Southerners – “Your Mama’s Out of Town” (Murray) – October 1963

Freddie & the Dreamers – “You Were Made for Me” (Murray) – #3 U.K. – November 1963

The Lady Bugs – “How Do You Do It?” (Murray) – February 1964

Dave Clark Five – “I Knew It All the Time” (Murray) – #53 U.S. – April 1964

Frankie Vaughan – “Long Time, No See” (Murray) – May 1964

The Barron-Knights – “Call Up the Groups” (Murray) – #3 U.K. – July 1964

Freddie & the Dreamers – “Just for You” (Murray) – #41 U.K. – July 1964

The Naturals – “Look at Me Now” (Murray) – November 1964

The Rajahs – “I’m Telling You Now” and “Can You Keep a Secret?” (Murray) – 1964

Freddie & the Dreamers – “I’m Telling You Know” (Murray) – #1 U.S. – March 1965

Murray’s Monkeys – “Gipsy” b/w “I’ll Be Here” (Mitch Murray) – March 1965

Teddy & the Clockwatchers – “You Were Made for Me” (Murray) – April 1965

Freddie & the Dreamers – “You Were Made for Me” (Murray) – #21 U.S. – May, 1965

Mitch Murray and Peter Callender’s first chart success collaboration

The Nightmares – “I Hate Getting Up in the Morning” (Murray) – June 1965

Mister Murray – “Down Came the Rain” #30 New Musical Express UK b/w “Whatever Happened to Music?” (Murray) – October 1965

The Mitch Murray Clan – “Skyliner” b/w “Cherokee” – 1966

This was a Murray fronted jazz ensemble.

Mister Murray – “I Drink to Your Memory” b/w I Was a Good Song (I Look at You)” (Murray) – March 1966

Kenneth McKellar – “A Man Without Love” (Callender) – #30 U.K. – March 1966

Johnny Kidd – “I Hate Getting Up in the Morning” (Murray) – April 1966

Paul & Barry Ryan – “I Love Her” (Callender) – May 1966

Tom Jones – “Once There Was a Time/Not Responsible” (Callender) – #18 U.K. – May 1966

Cilla Black – “Don’t Answer Me” (Callender) – #6 U.K. – June 1966

P.J. Proby – “To Make a Big Man” (Callender) – #34 U.K. – June 1966

Ken Dodd – “Sunshine” (Murray) – July 1968

Cilla Black – “A Fool Am I” (Callender) – #13 U.K. – October 1966

Dusty Springfield – “Give Me Time” (Callender) – #76 U.S. – #24 U.K. – May 1967

The Tremeloes – “Even the Bad Times Are Good” (Murray/Callender) – #36 U.S. – #4 U.K. – August 1967

Georgie Fame – “The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde” (Murray/Callender) – #7 U.S.- #1 U.K. – December 1967

Tuesday’s Children – “Ain’t You Got a Heart” (Murray/Callender) – February 1968

The New Vaudeville Band – “The Bonnie & Clyde” (Callender) – #122 Bubbling Under U.S. – April 1968

John Rowles – “Hush, not a Word to Mary” (Murray/Callender) – #12 U.K. – June 1968

Kenny O’Dell – “Bless Your Little Heart” (Murray/Callander) – July 1968

Mister and Mrs. Murray – “You’re Outa Your Mind” b/w “A Little Big of You” (Murray/Callender) – August 1968

Mrs. Murray is Mitch’s wife actress Grazina Frame.

The Caravelles – “The Other Side of Love” (Murray/Callender) – November 1968

Freddie & the Dreamers – “Little Big Time” (Murray/Callander) – November 1968

Mark Wynter – “She’s a Woman Now” b/w “Bless Your Little Heart” – (Murray/Callender) – November 1968

Sandie Shaw – “Monsieur Dupont” (Callender) – #6 U.K. – February 1969

Manfred Mann – “Ragamuffin Man” (Murray/Callender – #8 U.K. – May 1969

Heathmore – “Home Isn’t Home Anymore” (Murray/Callender) – May 1969

The Next of Kin – “Merry Christmas” b/w “Sunday Children, Sunday Morning” (Murray/Callender) – November 1969

Vanity Fare – “Hitchin’ a Ride” (Murray/Callender) – #5 U.S. – #22 Adult U.S. – #16 U.K. – December 1969

Cliff Richard – “Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha” (Murray/Callender) – #6 U.K. – June 1970

Tony Christie – “Las Vegas” (Murray/Callender) – #21 U.K. – January 1971

Tony Christie – “I Did What I Did for Maria” (Murray/Callender) – #2 U.K. – May 1971

Gerry Monroe – “Little Drops of Silver” (Murray/Callender) – #37 U.K. – August 1971

Daniel Boone – “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” (Callender) – #17 U.K. – August 1971

Jack Reno – “Hitchin’ a Ride” (Murray/Callender) – #12 Country U.S. – October 1971

Wayne Newton – “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast” (Callender) – #4 U.S. – #3 Adult U.S. – #55 Country U.S. – April 1972

Mitch Murray – “Oh! Carol” b/w “Love is a Friend of Mine” (Murray/Callender B side Only) – November 1972

Bus Stop records was formed by Murray and Callender.