Robert Hartley Elliott (born 8 December 1941) is an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

rock drummer, best known for playing with

the Hollies The Hollies are a British pop rock band, formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke (singer), Allan Clarke and Graham ...

. He has been described as "one of the very finest drummers in all of pop/rock".

Early life

Elliott discovered jazz music when he was around 10 or 11 and wanted to become a drummer. He attended

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

Grammar School. Elliott taught himself how to play the drums, by using home-made brushes and sticks, on tins and other household items, and copying the playing of

Chico Hamilton Foreststorn "Chico" Hamilton (September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He came to prominence as sideman for Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie, and Lena Horne. Hamilton became a bandleader, ...

of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and

Gene Krupa Eugene Bertram Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973), known as Gene Krupa, was an American jazz drummer, bandleader and composer who performed with energy and showmanship. His drum solo on Benny Goodman's 1937 recording of "Sing, Sing, S ...

of the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

Career

Shane Fenton and the Fentones

Elliott was an original member of Johnny Theakston and the Tremeloes, who formed in 1959, and were fronted by the vocalist Johnny Theakston. In late 1960 they sent a demo tape to BBC Radio's Saturday Club, calling themselves

Shane Fenton and the Fentones Shane Fenton and the Fentones were an English rock and roll group formed in 1960. Shane Fenton, the band's namesake, was actually the stage name of two different musicians; when the first Shane Fenton, real name Johnny Theakston, suddenly died, h ...

, but Theakston died before they received a reply. Having been offered an audition, the band's roadie Bernard Jewry (later known as

Alvin Stardust Bernard William Jewry (27 September 1942 – 23 October 2014), known professionally as Shane Fenton and later as Alvin Stardust, was an English rock singer and stage actor. Performing first as Shane Fenton in the 1960s, Jewry had a moderately s ...

), stepped in as vocalist, adopting the stage name “Shane Fenton” at Theakston's mother's request. Tommy Sanderson became their manager, and negotiated a record deal with

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...

who released "I'm a Moody Guy", which reached 19 on the UK singles chart. The next three singles failed to chart, and the band broke up in April 1963.

The Hollies

Bobby played in Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins, a band led by guitarist

Tony Hicks Anthony Christopher Hicks (born 16 December 1945) is an English guitarist and singer who has been a member of the British rock/pop band the Hollies since 1963, and as such was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. His main rol ...

who left to join

. Shortly after, Don Rathbone left the Hollies and Elliott replaced him. The Hollies would quickly garner a cult following after their songs

Here I Go Again "Here I Go Again" is a song by British rock band Whitesnake. Originally released on their 1982 album, '' Saints & Sinners'', the power ballad was re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled album. The song was re-recorded again the same year in a ...

Look Through Any Window "Look Through Any Window" is a song by the British beat group The Hollies. It was their follow-up single to their first UK chart-topper, " I'm Alive", and reached No.4 in the UK Singles Chart at the beginning of October 1965. "Look Through A ...

, and Just One Look charted in the British charts. Future hits would include: "

Bus Stop A bus stop is a place where buses stop for passengers to get on and off the bus. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage, where stops at busy locations may have shelters, seating, and possibly electronic passenger ...

", "

On a Carousel "On a Carousel" is a song written by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash and Tony Hicks. It was released by the Hollies as a single in February 1967, having been recorded the previous month, on the Parlophone label in the UK and Imperial in the US. Nash wo ...

", "

Carrie Anne "Carrie Anne" is a song written by Allan Clarke (singer), Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks and released by British pop rock group The Hollies. The song was recorded on 1 May 1967 and was released as a single in the same month by Parlop ...

", "

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for the Hollies later that year and also a hit for Neil Diamond in 1970. It ...

" and "

The Air That I Breathe "The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, ''It Never Rains in Southern California'' (1972). It was a major hit for t ...

", among others. Elliott’s hair began

thinning Thinning is a term used in agricultural sciences to mean the removal of some plants, or parts of plants, to make room for the growth of others. Selective removal of parts of a plant such as branches, buds, or roots is typically known as pruning. ...

at a young age (around the time the Hollies took off). So on stage, he would wear a variety of hats to cover up his balding. This decision would eventually inspire more artists (balding or not) to wear hats on stage, helping to bring wearing hats into Rock and Roll. By the 1970s, Elliott had gone completely bald and eventually, Elliott, a blonde, started wearing a long brunette wig on stage. In September 1973,

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

offered him the position of drummer in his band

Wings A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expresse ...

, but Elliott declined due to commitments with the Hollies. As of 2023, Elliott and

Hicks Hicks, also spelled Hickes, is a surname. See also Hix. Surname A (... Hicks) * Aaron Hicks (born 1989), American professional baseball center fielder * Adam Hicks (born 1992), American actor, rapper, singer, and songwriter * Akiem Hicks (born ...

still tour with the Hollies. The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Personal life

Elliott had a long relationship with Maureen Hicks. Thanks to this relationship Elliott would meet Maureen's brother, Tony Hicks. Bobby is married to Susan Elliott

Influences

Prominent drummers who were influenced by Elliott include

Gilson Lavis David Leslie Gilson Lavis ( , born 27 June 1951, Bedford, England) is an English drummer and portrait artist. He gained fame as the drummer with band Squeeze in the 1970s and 80s. Lavis is currently the drummer for Jools Holland's Rhythm and ...

Ric Lee Richard "Ric" Lee (born 20 October 1945) is an English drummer of the blues rock band Ten Years After. Biography Lee was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. Was a founding member of his first band, The Falcons. He was also a drummer ...

Cozy Powell Cozy Powell (born Colin Trevor Flooks; 29 December 1947 – 5 April 1998) was an English rock drummer who made his name with major rock bands and artists such as The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Gary Moore, Robert Plant, ...

and

Ian Paice Ian Anderson Paice (born 29 June 1948) is an English musician, best known as the drummer and last remaining original member of the rock band Deep Purple. He is often cited as one of the greatest drummers of all-time. He remains the only member ...

Discography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, Bobby 1941 births Living people English rock drummers Musicians from Burnley Musicians from Manchester The Hollies members