The Hollies is one of the best and most commercially successful pop/rock

groups from England and when The Hollies began recording in 1963, they

relied heavily upon the R&B/early rock & roll covers that provided the

staple diet for countless British groups of the time. The Hollies quickly

developed a more distinctive style of three-part harmonies, ringing guitars, and hook-happy material, penned by both outside writers (especially Graham Gouldman and a lot of other strong songwriting teams) and themselves. They wrote a lot of songs under the pseudonym L. Ransford, and at the beginning these songs were b-sides to their records.

From the start in Manchester in 1962 Allan Clarke, leadsinger (b. April 15,1942) and Graham Nash, vokal and rhythmguitar (b. February 2, 1942) had been childhood friends. They had already been singing together locally for a number of years before as a semi-professional duo under many names such as The Guytones, The Two Teens and Ricky and Dane.

Eric Haydock, bass (b. February 3, 1942) had invited them to be members of

The Deltas. He asked Allan Clarke and Graham Nash who were singing together

as Ricky & Dane Young. Eric Haydock inivited them to join The Deltas. Don

Rathbone, drums, was a member of The Fourtones first and later on in The

Daltas. Vic Steele, singleguitar, had been playing together with Eric

Haydock in The Emperors of Rhythm and joined in the group, too.

The name of the group was changed from Deltas to The Hollies in Christmas

1962, after Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly had been a major inspiration to every

member of the band, so it didn't take long to come up with the name.

When the leadguitarist Vic Steele in early 1963 decided not to turn

professional with The Hollies, he was replaced by Tony Hicks, leadguitar and

vocal (b. December 16, 1945). Tony Hicks first played in a skiffle band

called The Skifflelets. Later on he played in Ricky Shaw and The Dolphins.

When the musical disagreement between Don Rathbone, drums, and the rest of

the band became too much, Don Rathbone decided to leave the band. Bobby

Elliott, drums

(b. December 8, 1942) who had played with Tony Hicks in The Dolphins, was

called in from Shane Fenton and The Fentones and became a member of The

Hollies.

The lineup changes were most fortuitous: Tony Hicks contributed a lot to the

group with his ringing guitar work and songwriting, and Bobby Elliott was

one of the very finest drummers in all kinds of pop/rock.

The Hollies' first 2 singles were covers of The Coasters on Parlophone

(Ain't that) Just like me and Searchin' and both made the UK charts and the

group set about recording their first album Stay.

The Hollies' excellent live performances throughout England had already

seasoned them for what was to become one of the longest beat group success

stories in popular music.

After their breakthrough with those early beat recordings, The Hollies began

to develop their carefully polished trade-mark sound, courtesy of the

impeccable great three-part harmonies of Allan Clarke's leadvocal, Grahan

Nash's high harmony and Tony Hicks in the lower register harmony,

accomplished, and went on to grace some of the greatest music of 1960's.

They ran off awesome series of hits in the UK and the rest of the world in

the '60, making the Top 20 almost 20 times. Some of their best mid-'60's

singles, like "Here I go again", "We're Through", and the British number one

"I'm Alive". In early 1966 Hollies made a Top 40 hit in the United States

"Look Through any Window". The Hollies have a lot of great hits from 1963 to

1966 like "Stay", "Yes I will", "So Lonely", "I can't let go", "I am a Rock"

and many more.

In the same year 1966, Eric Haydock left the group, and was replaced by

Bernie Calvert, bass and piano (b. September 16, 1942). He had played in The

Dolphins together with Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott.

From 1966 to 1967 The Hollies began to show their true colour not least with

the sleeve of their Evolution album, which saw them decked out in the latest

psychedelic. There was now a greater emphasis on original material, and the

(all too few) songs written by themselves (Clarke/Hicks/Nash) tracks like:

Stop stop stop/On a Carousel/Carrie Ann/King Midas in Reverse/Hey Willy.

In late 1968 (December 8) Graham Nash decided to leave The Hollies to join

in Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and wanted to move to the U.S.A. Nash was

replaced by Terry Sylvester, vokal and rhythmguitar (b. January 8, 1947), he

had played with The Escorts and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

In addition to taking Graham Nash's place for rhythmguitar and high harmony

vocals, Terry Sylvester also took Nash's place in the songwriting trio.

Clarke, Hicks and Sylvester wrote a lot of good numbers of The Hollies songs

and he did perform the lead vocals on a few of The Hollies songs to.

Some of the best tracks from this time was: He ain't Heavy, He's my

Brother/Sorry Suzanne/Blowin' in the Wind/Too Young to be Married/I can't

tell the Bottom from the Top/Gasoline Alley Bred/Long Cool Woman (in a Black

Dress) and many more.

In October 1971 by the time "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) had become a

hit, Allan Clarke had already left The Hollies in pursuit of a solo career.

He didn't want to leave the band, but only wanted to make solo albums at the

same time. The rest of The Hollies didn't want Allan to make a solo album,

and their reaction was that he should leave the band.

Allan Clarke was replaced by a Swedish guy called Mikael Rickfors, Leadvocal

and guitar (b. December 4, 1948) and he came from a Swedish band called

Bamboo.

The Hollies had a little hit "The Baby" with Mikael Rickfors and recorded 2

albums "Romany" and "Out on the Road" (only on Hansa label in Germany), and

he wrote "The last Wind" and "Don't Leave the Child alone". And the best

tracks from this time was: The Baby/Magic Woman Touch/Jesus was a

Crossmaker.

In October 1973 The Hollies released "Out on the Road", but by that time

Mikael

Rickfors had already been replaced by a returning Allan Clarke, and he still

wanted to do his solo work at the same time. The agreement The Hollies made

was that Allan Clarke could do what he wanted outside the group, but

actually, when he went back The Hollies had a couple of hits and he spent

most of the time with the group. Allan has released 9 solo albums.

In January 1974 The Hollies had a big hit after Allan Clarke had come back

to the group "The Air that I Breathe", and from this time to 1980 The

Hollies made a lot of hits like:

The Day that Curly Billy Shot down Crazy Sam McGee/Sandy/I'm Down/Another

Night/Write on/Daddy don't Mind and many more.

Allan Clarke left The Hollies once again in 1978, and Gary Brooker from

Procol Harum was asked to be the new Hollies leadsinger.

The Hollies recorded "Harlequin" 16.8.1978 writing and song by Gary Brooker,

but this song was never released with him as leadsinger.

Gary Brooker left The Hollies very soon again, and the single "Harlequin"

has Terry Sylvester as leadsinger, when the single was released.

At this time The Hollies line-up was: Tony Hicks (vocal and leadguitar),

Terry Sylvester (vokal and rhythmguitar), Bobby Elliot (drums) and Bernie

Calvert (bass and piano).

After a very short time Allan Clarke was back as a leadsinger in The Hollies

again, and the group had the same line-up as before Allan Clarke had left.

In the summer of 1981 Terry Sylvester wanted to leave The Hollies, and he

made later a duo with James Griffin' (formerly of Bred) called Griffin' &

Sylvester, and released 2 solo album and 1 Griffin' & Sylvester album.

Bernie Calvert left The Hollies a few days after Terry Sylvester. When

Sylvester and Calvert had left the band Clarke, Hicks and Elliot were

steering a steady couse through the eighties, reinforcing our belief that

change is an important ingredient in The Hollies longevity and the nucleus

is intact.

The Hollies went back in the Studio 6 June 1981 with John Miles on vocal and

guitar, and Alan Jones on bass to record "Carrie" and "Driver". In July 1981

The Hollies recorded a Disco/Remix Crazy, a tune called "Holliedaze (A

Medley with a lot of Hollies Greatest hits, which was put together from the

Original Recordings).

At the request of the TV Show "Top of the Pops", Graham Nash and Eric

Haydock joined The Hollies to support the single in TV.

It was also in 1981 that Alan Coates, vocal and guitar (b. June 26, 1953)

joined The Hollies. Alan Coates played in the bands of artists like Olivia

Newton-John and David Cassidy, and had a few hits with his own band called

Broken English.

The Hollies realeased on Polydor the first version of "Take my Love and Run"

written by keyboardplayer Brian Chatton and recorded 2nd september 1981.

Brian also appeared with The Hollies, whilst they promoted the single on TV.

Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliot were now surrounded by talented

young musicians, who stimulated and enhanced their performance. The Hollies

were now a six piece band, and they escaped into Rock'n'Roll at an early

age, and they were not about to give themselves up.

The Hollies Line-up on Tour in 1982 was: Allan Clarke (vokal), Tony Hicks

(guitar), Bobby Elliot (drums), Steve Stroud (bass) Alan Coates (guitar) and

their old friend Peter Arnesen (keyboards). On the New Zealand Tour in 1983

The Hollies line-up was: Allan Clarke (vocal), Tony Hicks (Guitar), Bobby

Elliot (drums), Steve Stroud (bass), Peter Arnesen (keyboards), Paul Bliss

(Keyboards) and Jamie Moses (harmonies and guitar) instead of Alan Coates on

guitar.

Later same year Graham Nash rejoined The Hollies in the Studio to record the

reunion-LP "What goes Around", and the LP was released in June 1983, and

they went on Tour with Graham Nash, where Denis Haines started as The

Hollies keyboardist. The Hollies got a hit single "Stop in the Name of Love"

(an old Surpremes classic tracks), but the reunion LP had not been

successful in England, so Graham Nash went soon back to the U.S.A. again.

The Hollies made a lot of Concert around the World with the line-up: Allan

Clarke (vokal), Tony Hicks (guitar), Bobby Elliott (drums), Steve Stroud

(bass), Alan Coates (guitar) and Denis Haines (keyboards).

In 1985 The Hollies released "Too many Hearts get Broken" and Ray Stiles (b.

November 20, 1946) took over for Steve Stroud on bass in Spring 1986. Ray

Stiles also played in his own band Taboo with his wife Annie and have played

with the Seventies' hitmakers Mud.

Both "This is it" and "Reunion of the Heart" singles released in 1987. After

a Tour in Germany, The Hollies released "Stand by me" and "For what it's

Worth". The success of "Stand by me" on the German charts prompted The

Hollies to record "Shine Silently" at the Coconut.

In 1988 The Hollies released LP/CD "All the Hits and more: The Definitive

Collection" and "Rarities", and EMI released the single "He ain't Heavy,

He's my Brother" again, and went all the way to no.1 in the Britisk Charts

that year. In 1989 The Hollies released a single "Find me a Family" and "No

Rules" on EMI. The single was a Theme from "Find a Family" an ITV Production

and was a programme about homeless people, and The Hollies had a little hit

with that single.

Epic Records released The Epic Anthology in 1990 including the hits from

their years with an acoustic version of Magic Woman Touch.

Same year The Hollies went on Live 1990 UK-Tour Hollies "Think Purple" and

the line-up on this Tour was: Allan Clarke (vokal), Tony Hicks (guitar),

Bobby Elliot (drums), Steve Stroud (bass) replaced Ray Stiles, Alan Coates

(guitar) and David Carey on keyboards.

In 1992 The Hollies went on Tour to Netherlands (Goud Van Out - 24.4.1992)

and in the rest of the World. The Hollies line-up on this Tour was: Allan

Clarke (vocal), Tony Hicks (guitar), Bobby Elliot (drums), Ray Stiles (bas),

Alan Coates (guitar) and Ian Parker (keyboards) ( b. November 26, 1953). Ian

Parker had replaced David Carey on keyboards. Ian has toured with Killing

Joke, Joan Armatrading, Clannad, Tom Robinson and The Killer B's.

In 1993 The Hollies celebrated their 30th Anniversary and went on a great

30th Anniversary Tour in England with about 40 Concerts, and Imperial

Records/EMI released the 30th Anniversary Collection with 3 CD's same year.

On these CD's were a number of unreleased tracks along with two new songs,

"The Woman I Love" and "Nothing else but Love". The 30th Anniversary single

(their 56th) on EMI was "Purple Rain" (track from Prince) and "The Woman I

Love" (track from Nik Kershaw), and The Hollies had a little hit in England

with this single.

From 1993 and to 1996 The Hollies had the same member of the band and still

made a lot of Concerts/Tours. In 1995 The Hollies had recorded "He ain't

Heavy, he's my Brother in a new version with Coronation Street Cast (a

little crazy version). Late in 1995 The Hollies released a 4 CD's entitled

"Four Originals" (Box) and it included the album versions "Another Night",

"Russian Roulette", "5317704" and "Buddy Holly", and later one more 4 CD's

with titled "Four More Original" (Box) and this includes "Romany",

"Hollies", "Write On" and "A Crazy Steal". Eggbert Records released a

Hollies tribute CD titled "Sing Hollies in Reverse". It featured a number of

top alternative acts putting their own spin on Hollies songs, and it was in

1996 the Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly) CD featured The Hollies

with a new version of "Peggy Sue got Married". Graham Nash once again

rejoined his old friends for help to the song. The Hollies supplied the

musical arrangement and background vocals, while a vocal track of the

legendary Buddy Holly provided the lead vocals.

The Hollies still made a lot of Concerts/Tours from 1996 and to 1999, and in

1998 The Hollies were live at the Langeland's Festival '98 in Denmark,

Friday 24th July, and they released a lot of there old LP's on CD's and some

on Digipak, so it almost looked like The Hollies' old records and some have

unreleased tracks on. EMI made 3 different CD's in a serie called "The

Hollies at Abbey Road", and still a lot of other CD's on different Records

Companies like Sundazed Records (USA)/Magic Records (France)/Disky

Communication (Holland)/EMI (England), Rock-in-Beat Records (Germany) and

others are released.

After The Hollies Tour in December 1999, and a lot of speculation over the

past few months whether this Tour would be the last Tour with Allan Clarke

with The Hollies, as his wife had got cancer, and he wanted to stay with

her.

February 1st, 2000 Allan Clarke annouced that, owing to personal reasons, he

had decided to retire from The Hollies, after a long and successful career.

Allan Clarke was replaced by Carl Wayne (b.August 18, 1943), who has been

leadsinger of The Move.

The Hollies line-up now in 2000 are: Tony Hicks (vocal and guitar), Bobby

Elliot (drums),

Alan Coates (vokal and guitar), Carl Wayne (leadvocal), Ray Stiles (bass)

and Ian Parker

(keyboards).

The Hollies are still going strong and were on Spring Tour 2000 in UK with

30 Shows, and they undertook a major U.K. Concert Tour during

October/November 2000 with 31 Shows at 29 different places, and the 2000

Autumn Tour ended in Liverpool.

Once again The Hollies have given thousands of fans from England and around

the World a wonderful display of their talents both as individual musicians

and as a band.

The new line-up with Carl Wayne is fresh and exciting with new songs, new

arrangements, lighting and production of stunning quality that has to be

seen to be believed.

In February/March 2001 The Hollies were on Tour in Australia and New Zealand

for the first time in many years and with the new line-up.

At the same time The Hollies have released a new Greatest Hits CD in New

Zealand, and 10 February 2001 The Hollies were no. 1 again after many years

in New Zealand with this new Greatest Hits CD.

After the Tour in February/March in Australia and New Zealand, The Hollies

will start their Spring Tour 2001 in England and the rest of the World.

The Hollies with the new line-up intend to record new products, which will

be available maybe later this year - Many Hollies fans will hope they do -

but nothing happent this year.

In Summer 2002 The Hollies made a lot of Concerts in Germany and went to the

USA in late of July and in the beginning of August, and made many Concerts

over there.

The Hollies should have started their 40th Anniversary Tour in October 2002

in Germany and a very big Celebration UK Tour, but The Hollies announced the

postponement of their forthcoming Tour, because the leadsinger Carl Wayne

had undergone an urgent operation to remove an oesophageal blockage.

In January 2003 The Hollies completed two fantastic shows in Germany with

Ian Harrison standing in for Carl Wayne, who continued to get back to full

fitness on the Spring Tour.

Ian Harrison also appearing with The Hollies the Concert in Friedrichshafen

in Germany.

In February 2003 The Hollies started their Spring Tour (40th Anniversary

Tour again) with Carl Wayne as the leadsinger, and made many Shows/Concerts

in England, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark.

The Hollies made 3 great Concerts in Denmark. Two 60's Parties with other

bands in Herning (May 2nd 2003) and Esbjerg (May 3rd 2003) and played about

1 hour in these Shows. In Århus (May 4th 2003) only The Hollies gave

Concert, and they played 2 hours there.

In August 2003 The Hollies went back to Germany to give Concerts, and made a

lot of Shows in England for the rest of the Autumn.

The Hollies have started to plan Shows/Concerts in 2004 in England and the

rest of the World.

All The Hollies Fans hope, they released a new CD to Celebrate their 40th

Anniversary this year, because The Hollies not have released a new Album

(CD) (with new songs) since 1983 (What goes around).

In May 20th 2003 The Hollies released a double CD to celebrating their 40th

Anniversary features all their worldwide hits plus the fantastic brand new

track "How do I Survive". The first new track with Carl Wayne as leadsinger

in The Hollies.

Later this year in October 8th 2003 a 40th Anniversary 6 CD Box Set will be

released.

For the first time - an ekstensive review of The Hollies recording career.

The first 4 CD's will cover classic album recordings, rare A's and B's

tracks, EP tracks amd lesser known foreign releases. A fifth CD will cover

live material from the 60's to the 90's including early cover versions and

major hits. A sixth CD will include the unrealesed material including the

Bell Studios session in 1965 and many rare and obscure recordings. The set

will contain a long-form book with full discography, sessionography,

interviews and sleeve note by Peter Doggett the former editor of Record

Collector who has written extensively on The Hollies.

Tragically Carl Wayne passed away August 31st 2004. He was one of the music

businesses great characters and a powerhouse singer. All The Hollies have

treasured memories of his time with the band. As Carl wanted the shows to

continue. The Hollies were delighted that Peter Howarth has joined them as

the new Hollies front man. Peter has worked with Cliff Richard for many

years, was co-writer of the Musical "Robin, Prince of Sherwood Forest" and

has starred in two National Tour of "Only the Lonely" The Roy Orbison story.

The Hollies original vocal sound is enhanced by Peter's singing style and

aficionados will be impressed by the authentic trademark three way harmony.

Peter Howarth was in The Hollies sights back in 1999, when Allan Clarke

retired due to personal problems, but he was unable to join due to previous

commitment - singing with Cliff Richard.

From his very first performance with The Hollies in Germany in October 2004,

his vocal style instantly authenticated that famous Hollies harmony. He has

fresh new musical ideas; one being an inspired version of the band's hit

"Here I go again", which has endeared him to the faithful Hollies audiences.

In October 2004 Alan Coates retired from The Hollies after more that 20

years service, to concentrate with his wife Kim Coody, on writing and

producing TV themes and advertising commercials from their Voice & Music

Company based in London's Drury Lane. His replacement, Steve Lauri, brings

his own expertise on guitar into a group renouned for their excellent

musicianship. Steve was an original member and guitarist/vokalist of 70's

Disco Hitmaker 5000 Volts and have backing many famous stars up the last

twenty-five years.

The Hollies line-up 2004 are: Tony Hicks (Leadguitar/vocal), Bobby Elliott

(Drums), Ian Parker (Keyboards/vocal), Ray Stiles (Bass/vocal), Peter

Howarth (Leadvocal) and Steve Lauri (Guitar/vocal).

19th September 2005 The Hollies released a new CD-single with 2 new songs

“Hope” and “Shine on me” from the forthcoming album.

The Hollies still tours the world, performing at major venues in New

Zealand, Australia, USA, Scandinavia and Europe. They have also headlined

outdoor festivals playing to audiences in excess of 10.000 people.

The Hollies return to The Royal Albert Hall in London for a performance on

the 28th October 2005, during their UK Autumn.

7th February 2006 The Hollies released one more new

CD-single “So damn Beautiful” and “Too much too soon” (This track is not on the

new Album). This CD-single was available as a download from the main

download sites, was not available in the shops and this CD-single was

from the forthcoming Album too.

20th February 2006 The Hollies released a new Studio Album called “Staying Power”.

It was the first new Album with new songs since “What Goes Around” from 1st March 1983.

The Hollies made a Concert at the “Cafe De Paris” in London called “Legends” 31st January 2006,

and this Concert was released in Internet, so that all their Fans could watch this.

From 2006 to 2007 The Hollies made a lot of Concerts in England, Germany, Belgium, Sweden

and other Countries around the World.

The Hollies made a special and great Concert 6th July 2006 at Chichester Cathedral.

Tony Hicks said that the Booking Manager might have mistaken them for The Holies,

but of course it was The Hollies they wanted.

28th March 2007 The Hollies released a DVD called “The Hollies Special Live Edition”

filmed at Antwerps Sportpaleis in Belgium December 2006 before an audience of 15.000

people, plus selected cuts taken from the Bands ”Legends” Concert at the “Café De Paris”

in London from January 2006. Added to this there are also promotional videos of songs from

The Hollies current album “Staying Power”.

Since 2004, Peter Howarth was been The Hollies leadsinger. He was only 3 years old,

when the Band started making music, but today he is a natural front man for them.

The Hollies line-up 2007 are still: Tony Hicks (Leadguitar/vocal), Bobby Elliott

(Drums), Ian Parker (Keyboards/vocal), Ray Stiles (Bass/vocal), Peter

Howarth (Leadvocal) and Steve Lauri (Guitar/vocal).

Maybe The Hollies will released a new Album in 2007? Good Times, the well

Informed German Magazine, write in issue1/2007, that Paul Weller (Ex-Jam)

writes songs for an upcoming Hollies Album (News 30th January 2007).

There are many Singles/EP's/LP's/12"/CD's which I have not mentioned,

because I can't have all the titles and tracks in this Hollies Biography.

Please look at my Hollies Discography, too.

In this Hollies Biography something may be wrong, so please let me know, if

you have some additions to this Story and E-mail to me:

ovesteenpedersen@hotmail.com

I'd like to thank: Rob Haywood/Bob Gansler/Andy Davis (Record Collector

Magazine)/The Artist direct network and other, who have helped with

Information.