Pender left The Searchers in December 1985 hoping to explore new musical directions while preserving the classic 12-string guitar style that he helped to popularise.
During the 1980s, Mike Pender also joined an all-star rock band known as The Corporation AKA The Traveling Wrinklies, whose name was a parody of the popular rock group Traveling Wilburys with Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and George Harrison.
They released a 45 on the Corporation label: KORP 1, an updated version of The Showstoppers "Ain't Nothing But A House Party".
Selecting a group of talented musicians, Mike Pender sought to re–create the unique sound that popularised The Searchers.
In 1994, Mike Pender's Searchers were the first 1960s band to be invited to play on board the QE2 as part of the ocean liner's 25th anniversary celebrations.