The Hollies

An month ago I saw on Facebook that legendary Britsh rock group the Hollies will no longer be touring as guitarist Tony Hicks has got health issues as he's retires and also drummer Bobby Elliott has also decided to retire which I honestly think that's the right thing to do as the Hollies without Tony but with Bobby were to continue that would not make sense and both of them who have been with the Hollies since 1963 who had continue the band throughout the years which their last shows were in the UK 3 years ago as well as doing the cruise show and they were to due to do one next year but won't be happening now. Both Tony and Bobby had played together in the local Manchester group Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins which Bobby had played with Shane Fenton and the Fentones which had the guy who would become Alvin Stardust as well as other bands The Falcons and an jazz trio as Bobby was into jazz while Tony had played in Les Skifflettes. Tony joined the Hollies in early 1963 having been formed in 1962 when original guitarist Vic Steele left as he didn't want to go professional and Tony heard them outside the Twisted Wheel which was an club in Manchester which he liked it so he joined the group as he would be on every recording of the Hollies from April 4th 1963 and Bobby joined the Hollies in mid 1963 replacing original drummer Don Rathbone who played on the first 2 hits Ain't That Just Like Me and Searchin as well as the b sides. Bobby's first single with the Hollies was the cover of the Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs 1960 hit Stay which both Bobby and Tony found it in a junk shop in Scotland which went to number 8 in the UK charts as it was the first Top 10 hit for the Hollies which both Tony and Bobby would play on many of the Hollies classics including Just One Look, Here I Go Again, I'm Alive(number 1 UK 1965), Look Through Any Window, Bus Stop, Stop Stop Stop which Tony played the banjo, On A Caurosel, Carrie Anne, Jennifer Eccles, Sorry Suzanne, He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress and The Air That I Breathe. The Hollies toured the world including Australia as their 1st was in January 1970 as well as America and appeared on music shows including Top Of The Pops which they were on the very 1st episode January 1st 1964 as well as Shindig, Thank Your Lucky Stars, American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark and Australia's Bandstand hosted by Brian Henderson on February 7th 1970. Among their songs some of them were only hits in Australia including Lucille which was from Stay With The Hollies album went to number 64 in Australia and number 6 in Brisbane in 1964 and Too Young To be Married which was from the Confessions of the Mind album which was number 1 in Australia as well as Brisbane in 1971 and also an hit New Zealand too. The group survived the line up changes with departures of Eric Haydock in 1966, Graham Nash in 1968, Allan Clarke 3 times in 1971, 1977 and 1999 when he retired, Mikael Rockfors in 1973, Bernie Calvert and Terry Sylvester in 1981 , the passing of Carl Wayne who was from the British 60's group the Movie who joined in 2000 in 2004 and for the last 22 years the line up with Tony, Bobby, Pete Howarth who worked with Cliff Richard, Steve Lauri who both joined in 2004, Ian Parker and Ray Stiles who was from the 70's UK group Mud have been the steady line up which it was the line up that I saw when I saw the Hollies live both at QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on Tuesday February 11th 2014 and Friday February 22nd 2019 which was FANTASTIC and AWESOME with great harmonies and great songs as well as giving the audience an great time and enjoying the show which I am so glad that I got to see the Hollies which it's something that I'll never forget. As 14 years before that I saw original member Eric Haydock with his band Eric Haydock's Hollies at Kedron Wavell on Friday June 23rd 2000 as it was FANTASTIC doing the Hollies classics as well as rock and roll songs and Too Much Fandango by Ritzi as the 2 guys who played with Eric Pete Hughes and Mick Carroll was in that group in the 70's and just 2 years ago on Tuesday saw Graham Nash at QPAC Concert Hall which the only Hollies song he performed was Bus Stop which was FANTASTIC too as I am glad to have other members of the Hollies live too. 2010 the Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which they truly deserve it for the impact they have made on rock and roll with Allan, Graham, Eric, Terry and Bernie attended as Tony and Bobby could not go as they performed in London that time and Graham and Allan performed Bus Stop, Carrie Anne and Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress and now the group has come to an end but they have left an great legacy of music that has stood the test of time which we still hear to this day as well as giving pleasure to the fans all over the world for 6 decades giving the audiences an great time. Thank You Hollies for the music and the legacy and to the best guitarist and drummer Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott who were an big part of the Hollies sound with their great playing along with the harmonies thank you for the songs.