The Merseys had a big pop-rock hit in the UK in 1966 with "Sorrow," later covered by David Bowie (on Pinups), but never followed up on the promise of this successful debut. They were a spinoff group from the Merseybeats, who were one of the more popular Liverpool bands of the British Invasion, although they never managed to land a hit in the United States. The Merseybeats split up in 1966, with lead guitarist Tony Crane and bassist Billy Kinsley forming the Merseys.