List of The Hollies members
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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 ...
are an English pop/
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band from
Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
. Formed in December 1962, the group originally included vocalist Allan Clarke, lead guitarist Vic Steele, rhythm guitarist and vocalist
Graham Nash Graham William Nash (born 2 February 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, photographer, and activist. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and the supergroups Crosby, Stills ...
, bassist
Eric Haydock Eric Haydock (born Eric John Haddock; 3 February 1943 – 5 January 2019) was a British musician, best known as the original bass guitarist of The Hollies from December 1962 until July 1966. He was one of the first British musicians to play a F ...
and drummer Don Rathbone. The band has since been through numerous lineup changes, and currently includes lead guitarist and vocalist
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 ...
, drummer
Bobby Elliott Robert Hartley Elliott (born 8 December 1941) is an English rock drummer, best known for playing with The Hollies. He has been described as "one of the very finest drummers in all of pop/rock". Early life Elliott discovered jazz music when he w ...
(both since 1963), bassist and vocalist Ray Stiles (from 1986 to 1990, and since 1991), keyboardist Ian Parker (since 1991), lead vocalist and guitarist Peter Howarth, and guitarist and vocalist Steve Lauri (both since 2004).


History


1962–1981

The Hollies were formed in autumn 1962 by childhood friends Allan Clarke (lead vocals, harmonica) and
Graham Nash Graham William Nash (born 2 February 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, photographer, and activist. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and the supergroups Crosby, Stills ...
(rhythm guitar, vocals), who enlisted lead guitarist Vic Steele, bassist
Eric Haydock Eric Haydock (born Eric John Haddock; 3 February 1943 – 5 January 2019) was a British musician, best known as the original bass guitarist of The Hollies from December 1962 until July 1966. He was one of the first British musicians to play a F ...
and drummer Don Rathbone for the original lineup. In February 1963, Steele decided he did not want to be a professional musician and left the band, who replaced him with
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 ...
from Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins. After the group released their first two singles – "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" and "
Searchin' "Searchin'" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller specifically for the Coasters. Atco Records released it as a single in March 1957, which topped the R&B Chart for twelve weeks. It also reached number three on the ''Billboard'' sing ...
" – Rathbone was replaced in August by another Dolphins member,
Bobby Elliott Robert Hartley Elliott (born 8 December 1941) is an English rock drummer, best known for playing with The Hollies. He has been described as "one of the very finest drummers in all of pop/rock". Early life Elliott discovered jazz music when he w ...
. The lineup of Clarke, Nash, Hicks, Haydock and Elliott remained stable for almost three years, releasing ''
Stay with The Hollies ''Stay with The Hollies'', also known by its American release title ''Here I Go Again'', is the debut album by the British rock band the Hollies and was released in January 1964 on Parlophone Records (''see'' 1964 in music). In Canada, it was re ...
'' and '' In The Hollies Style'' in 1964, ''
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 and Graham Nash founded the band ...
'' in 1965 and '' Would You Believe?'' in 1966. In early 1966, Haydock refused to attend recording sessions due to a dispute with the band's management over earnings. He was replaced in July by
Bernie Calvert Bernard Bamford Calvert (born 16 September 1942) is an English musician who played bass guitar and keyboards with The Hollies from 1966 until 1981. Career He worked with several rock and roll groups during the early 1960s, most notably Rickie ...
, another former bandmate of Hicks and Elliott, who had earlier filled in for Haydock on a European tour and the recording of "
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 ...
". After a string of successful releases, Nash left The Hollies on 7 December 1968 to relocate to Los Angeles,
California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
, and form
Crosby, Stills & Nash Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) were a folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills and English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. When joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young as a fourth member, ...
with former
Byrds The Byrds () were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining th ...
member
David Crosby David Van Cortlandt Crosby (born August 14, 1941) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964. They got ...
and former
Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield was a rock band formed in Los Angeles by Canadian musicians Neil Young, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin and American musicians Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. The group, widely known for the song "For What It's Worth", relea ...
member
Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. As both a solo act and member of two successful bands, Stills has com ...
.
Terry Sylvester Terence Sylvester (born 8 January 1947) is an English musician and songwriter. He is a former member of the Escorts, the Swinging Blue Jeans (1966–1969), and the Hollies. In the latter role, he took on the high parts formerly sung by Graham ...
left
the Swinging Blue Jeans The Swinging Blue Jeans are a four-piece 1960s British Merseybeat band, best known for their hit singles with the HMV label: "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Good Golly Miss Molly", and "You're No Good", issued in 1964. Subsequent singles released that y ...
to take Nash's place the following month. Clarke remained until November 1971, when he was replaced by Swedish singer
Mikael Rickfors Mikael Rickfors (born 4 December 1948) is a Swedish singer and songwriter. From 1968, he was the lead singer and bass guitarist in Swedish band Bamboo. The band released two singles before breaking up in 1970. Rickfors later performed with the ...
after leaving to pursue a solo career. Clarke returned in June 1973 as lead vocalist. Beginning in 1974, The Hollies toured with a sixth member on keyboards. First in the role was prolific session contributor
Pete Wingfield William Peter Wingfield (born 7 May 1948) is an English record producer, keyboard player, songwriter, singer and music journalist. Career Whilst at Sussex University Wingfield and three other students formed the group Jellybread. In 1969, he ...
, who remained a member of the touring lineup for three years. He also contributed to the albums ''
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 and Graham Nash founded the band ...
'', '' Write On'', ''
A Crazy Steal ''A Crazy Steal'' is the 18th UK studio album by English rock/pop group, the Hollies. It includes their version of Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham", which had been released two years prior, reaching number 10 in the charts in New Zealand ...
'' and '' Five Three One - Double Seven O Four''. Later touring keyboardists included Paul Bliss, and Hans-Peter Arnesen, who recorded parts for ''A Crazy Steal'' and more.


1981–2000

In May 1981, both Calvert and Sylvester left the Hollies after the group began working with new producer
Bruce Welch Bruce Welch (born 2 November 1941 as Bruce Cripps) is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, singer and businessman best known as a founding member of the Shadows. Biography Welch's parents (Stan Cripps and Grace Welch) moved him to 15 B ...
, rhythm guitarist of
the Shadows The Shadows (originally known as the Drifters) were an English instrumental rock group, who dominated the British popular music charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in the pre- Beatles era. They served as the backing band for Cliff Richard ...
. Speaking about the event, Calvert noted he was omitted from a recording session by Welch, after which he decided to leave following a phone call from Sylvester, who informed him of his intention to quit. Sylvester has recalled that he made his decision after an argument within the band, caused by a vote to stop working with long-time manager Robin Britten, with which he disagreed. Sylvester left first, with Calvert following a few days later. Clarke, Hicks and Elliott continued recording with a number of session musicians, including keyboardist
Brian Chatton Brian Charles Chatton (born 19 July 1948 in Farnworth, Lancashire, England) is an English keyboardist, author and songwriter. He played with bands like the Warriors with singer Jon Anderson and then formed another group named Hickory with dru ...
on their next single "Take My Love and Run", and bassist Alan Jones on its
B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...
"Driver". The remaining Hollies reunited with original members Graham Nash and Eric Haydock in September 1981 for an appearance on ''
Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'' promoting "Holliedaze". The following month, it was confirmed that Nash would remain with the group for a new studio album. Recording for ''What Goes Around...'' began in March the next year, wrapping up by February 1983. The four-piece lineup toured in promotion of the album, with guitarist Alan Coates, bassist Steve Stroud, and keyboardists Bliss and Arnesen joining them for the performances. After the conclusion of the tour, Nash left, Coates and Stroud were made permanent members, and
Denis Haines Denis Haines is an English musician, best known for his time on keyboards for the Hollies between 1983 and 1991. Haines first came to prominence with new wave band the Doll. He played keyboards for Gary Numan on the album ''Telekon''. Together w ...
joined on keyboards. The new lineup released their first single, "Too Many Hearts Get Broken", on
Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...
in May 1985. Ray Stiles replaced Stroud in the spring of 1986, debuting with the band in June. The following year saw the release of "This Is It" and "Reunion of the Hearts", and in 1988 the band registered on the German charts with "Stand by Me" and "Shine Silently". Stroud returned alongside new keyboardist Dave Carey in 1990 for a cover of
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
's " Purple Rain", although by the next year the pair had been replaced by Stiles and Ian Parker, respectively. The lineup remained constant throughout the 1990s, releasing "The Woman I Love" and "Nothing Else But Love" in 1993, recording a new version of "
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 ...
" with the cast of ''
Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' is an English soap opera created by Granada Television and shown on ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres around a cobbled, terraced street in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on inner-city Salford. Origi ...
'' in 1995, and contributing a recording of "
Peggy Sue Got Married ''Peggy Sue Got Married'' is a 1986 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola starring Kathleen Turner as a woman on the verge of a divorce, who finds herself transported back to the days of her senior year in high sch ...
" to '' Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly)'' in 1996.


2000 onwards

Allan Clarke left The Hollies in March 2000, after retiring from touring at the end of the previous year, leaving Hicks and Elliott the only 'classic lineup' members remaining. He was replaced by
Carl Wayne Carl Wayne (born Colin David Tooley; 18 August 1943 – 31 August 2004) was an English singer and actor. He is best remembered as the lead singer of The Move in the 1960s. Early days Wayne was born in Winson Green, Birmingham, and grew up in ...
, former frontman of
the Move The Move were a British rock band of the late 1960s and the early 1970s. They scored nine top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any real success in the United States. For most of their caree ...
. Wayne's only recording with the band was "How Do I Survive", which was released on the 2003 compilation album ''Greatest Hits'', before he died on 31 August 2004 of
oesophageal cancer Esophageal cancer is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach. Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing and weight loss. Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice ...
. According to the band's official website, "It was Carl's wish for The Hollies Autumn Tour to go ahead"; accordingly, Peter Howarth took his place. Coates chose to leave The Hollies shortly after Wayne's death, with Steve Lauri brought in as his replacement. The band has since released two new studio albums: ''Staying Power'' in 2006 and ''Then, Now, Always'' in 2009.


Members


Current


Former


Touring


Timeline


Lineups


References


External links


Official website
{{The Hollies Hollies, The *