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The Hollies

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Band Timeline

1962

Formation of The Hollies in Manchester

The Hollies were formed in late 1962 by childhood friends Allan Clarke and Graham Nash in Manchester, England. The initial lineup also included Vic Steele, Eric Haydock, and Don Rathbone. The band quickly adopted the name 'The Hollies' inspired by Buddy Holly and a Christmas holly garland, marking the start of their journey in the British rock scene. Their early style was influenced by the Merseybeat sound that dominated the UK during this period.
1963

Lineup solidifies with Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott

In April 1963, lead guitarist Vic Steele left the band, and Tony Hicks was recruited from a local band, Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins. By August 1963, drummer Don Rathbone was replaced by Bobby Elliott, another member of the Dolphins. This lineup of Clarke, Nash, Hicks, Haydock, and Elliott became the classic early Hollies lineup that would drive their rise. They started recording and performing widely, gaining attention in the UK rock and pop circles.
1964-1966

Rise to popularity with early hits and UK chart success

Between 1964 and 1966, The Hollies released a series of singles that established them as a major force in British pop-rock. Hits like 'Just One Look,' 'Here I Go Again,' and 'I'm Alive' earned them chart success, with 'I'm Alive' being their first UK number one single in 1965. Their signature three-part vocal harmonies and catchy melodies earned them a large fan base. The 1966 release of 'Bus Stop' marked their break into the US market.
1966

Bass player change due to management dispute

In early 1966, bassist Eric Haydock refused to attend recording sessions over disputes with band management concerning earnings. As a result, he was replaced by Bernie Calvert in July 1966. Calvert had already filled in during tours and recordings, making the transition smooth. This change coincided with continued recording success, contributing to influential singles like 'Stop Stop Stop' and 'On a Carousel,' further solidifying the band's standing.
1968

Graham Nash departs to form Crosby, Stills & Nash

On December 7, 1968, founding member and rhythm guitarist Graham Nash left The Hollies to move to Los Angeles and co-found the folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. This departure marked a significant change in The Hollies, as Nash was a key vocalist and songwriter. To fill the gap, Terry Sylvester joined the band in January 1969, bringing experience from the Swinging Blue Jeans and helping maintain the group’s vocal harmony style.
1971-1973

Temporary vocalist change and Allan Clarke's brief exit

In November 1971, lead singer Allan Clarke left the band to pursue a solo career and was temporarily replaced by Swedish singer Mikael Rickfors. During this period, The Hollies continued recording and touring, though with some shifts in musical style. Clarke returned in June 1973, restoring the group's classic vocal sound. His return helped The Hollies regain commercial success and stability.
1974-1977

Addition of touring keyboardists

Beginning in 1974, The Hollies incorporated touring keyboardists into their lineup, starting with Pete Wingfield. Wingfield contributed both in live performances and studio recordings, including albums such as 'Hollies' and 'Write On.' Subsequent keyboardists like Paul Bliss and Hans-Peter Arnesen also toured with the band, enhancing their live sound and adding depth to their arrangements during concerts and recordings throughout the mid-1970s.
1981

Lineup changes and brief reunion with original members

In 1981, rhythm guitarist Terry Sylvester and bassist Bernie Calvert both left due to internal disagreements and changes in the band's working relationships, notably involving new producer Bruce Welch. However, the band saw a brief reunion with original members Graham Nash and Eric Haydock in September for a televised performance. Nash stayed on for the recording of the album 'What Goes Around...' released in 1983, marking a notable event in the band’s long history.
2010

Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In recognition of their enduring impact on rock and pop music, The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. This honor highlighted their contributions to the British Invasion and their influential vocal harmonies and hit singles across multiple decades. The band's ability to continue recording and touring without disbanding set them apart as one of the few from their era to maintain such longevity and relevance.

Albums

the-hollies_1st_album
Stay With the Hollies / Here I Go Again
14 tracks
1964
the-hollies_2nd_album
In the Hollies Style
31 tracks
1964
the-hollies_3rd_album
Hollies
12 tracks
1965
the-hollies_4th_album
Would You Believe?
12 tracks
1966
the-hollies_5th_album
Bus Stop
12 tracks
1966
the-hollies_6th_album
For Certain Because…
12 tracks
1966
the-hollies_7th_album
Evolution
12 tracks
1967
the-hollies_8th_album
Butterfly
12 tracks
1967
the-hollies_9th_album
Hollies Sing Dylan
14 tracks
1969
the-hollies_10th_album
Hollies Sing Hollies
11 tracks
1969
the-hollies_11th_album
Confessions of the Mind
15 tracks
1970
the-hollies_12th_album
Distant Light
11 tracks
1971
the-hollies_13th_album
Romany
11 tracks
1972
the-hollies_14th_album
Out on the Road
11 tracks
1973
the-hollies_15th_album
Hollies
11 tracks
1974
the-hollies_16th_album
Another Night
10 tracks
1975
the-hollies_17th_album
Write On
10 tracks
1976
the-hollies_18th_album
Russian Roulette
14 tracks
1976
the-hollies_19th_album
A Crazy Steal
10 tracks
1978
the-hollies_20th_album
Five Three One-Double Seven O Four
14 tracks
1979
the-hollies_21st_album
Buddy Holly
16 tracks
1980
the-hollies_22nd_album
What Goes Around...
19 tracks
1983
the-hollies_23rd_album
Staying Power
12 tracks
2006
the-hollies_24th_album
Then, Now, Always
11 tracks
2009
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Bernie Calvert

1966

Ian Parker

1991

Keyboard

Ray Stiles

N/A

Tony Hicks

1962

Bobby Elliott

1963

Drums (drum set)

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Eric Haydock

1962
1966

Bass guitar

Mikael Rickfors

1971
1973

Graham Nash

1962
1968

Allan Clarke

1973
1999

Carl Wayne

2000
2004

Graham Nash

1982
1982

Allan Clarke

1963
1971

Terry Sylvester

1969
1981

Don Rathbone

1963
1963

Alan Coates

N/A
N/A

Story of The Hollies

The Hollies: A Harmonious Journey Through Rock & Roll History

The Hollies are a legendary English band, born in the vibrant musical scene of 1962. They emerged as a key player in the British Invasion, captivating audiences with their trademark three-part harmonies. Their roots lie in the Merseybeat sound, originating in Manchester, though their members hailed from various corners of northern England.

The band's core, founders Allan Clarke and Graham Nash, set the stage for a musical journey filled with both triumphant highs and bittersweet departures. Nash, a crucial element in the Hollies' sound, left the group in 1968 to join the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash, leaving a void that was eventually filled by the talented Terry Sylvester. Despite the lineup changes, the Hollies continued to shine, maintaining a consistent presence in the music world.

Their impact on the charts was undeniable. The mid-60s saw them soar in the UK with hits like "Just One Look," "Here I Go Again," "I'm Alive," "Look Through Any Window," and "I Can't Let Go." While they initially struggled to conquer the US, "Bus Stop" became their breakthrough in 1966.

Throughout the 70s, their success continued on both sides of the Atlantic, with anthems like "Stop Stop Stop," "On a Carousel," "Carrie Anne," "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress," and "The Air That I Breathe" solidifying their position as a musical force.

The Hollies boast an impressive catalog, with over 30 singles charting in the UK, 22 in the US, and 21 in Canada. They stand as a testament to enduring musical power, continuing to record and perform even after five decades, a feat achieved by few bands from that era, making them a rare breed among the rock 'n' roll elite. The Hollies have weathered the storms of time, their harmonies echoing across generations, ensuring that their legacy as one of the most significant British bands of all time remains firmly intact.

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