You definitely know the Searchers! My favorite English groups from back then were the Yardbirds and Animals
Saw the Animals at Fordham [in the gym]. I remember about a 20 minute break because Chas Chandler broke a string on his bass, didn't have a backup bass, and had to replace it.
Never saw the Yardbirds, but at a Blues Project show in the Village, passed on a new group announced for the following week - Cream.