Tuesday, May 1, 2012

THE HOLLIES


The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s. They enjoyed considerable popularity in many countries, although they did not achieve major US chart success until 1966. Along with The Rolling Stones and The Searchers, they are one of the few British pop groups of the early 1960s that have never officially broken up and that continue to record and perform. The Hollies were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

The original line-up included Allan Clarke as lead vocalist, Graham Nash as guitarist and vocalist, Vic Steele (born Victor Winston Farrell, 8 May 1945, Manchester) on guitar, with Eric Haydock on bass guitar and Don Rathbone on drums (born Donald Rathbone, October 1942, Wilmslow, Cheshire). Steele left in February 1963, shortly before they signed to Parlophone as label-mates of The Beatles. Tony Hicks, who replaced Steele, and Bobby Elliott, who replaced Don Rathbone, joined the band in quick succession in 1963; both had played in a Nelson-based band, The Dolphins. Bernie Calvert, who replaced Haydock in 1966, was also a member of The Dolphins.

The group's first US album release was in 1964 as part of the first wave of British Invasion acts. It has been suggested that Haydock named the group after the green garland for Christmas. In a 2009 interview, member Graham Nash said that the group decided just prior to a performance to call themselves "The Hollies" because of their admiration for Buddy Holly and wrote that same year: "We called ourselves The Hollies, after Buddy, and Christmas."

Here are some popular Hits of The Hollies:

HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER


JUST ONE LOOK (1964)
LONG COOL WOMAN IN A BLACK DRESS 
THE AIR THAT I BREATHE
  (1974) Original Version [HQ]

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