The Hollies 60th Tour

[baggieal]

I went to see the Hollies in York last night as my view was they were right up there with the Beatles in the 60’s.

I left disappointed as whilst the lead singer was decent - he was nowhere near as good as Allan Clarke the original singer and some songs were simply not the same.

Hicks and Bobby Elliot the original two were excellent although again - I remember Hicks from You Tube etc when he was a fresh faced youngster in the early 60’s. Scary now looking at an old man! You don’t see yourself ageing but when you see others it’s scary and brings home the time you have left.

Tony Hicks said to the crowd it was the first return to York in 20 years. Sadly, it’s very doubtful whether there will be a return in 2042 unless it’s in a box.

So absolutely loved the Hollies and Allan Clarke but thought last night seemed like a tribute band with Hicks and Elliot thrown in.

The marketing t wat who has modernised the Hollies logo - what a stupid f uckin idea that was!!! The memories should be of the 60’s’nn

Wouldn’t go back to see them again! Shows what a superstar Allan Clarke was!!

[phild]

When the original lead singer is no more then what is the point? That band should then be ended. Queen is still going but why would anyone pay a small fortune to watch em without Mercury?

[kettering_baggie]

Don’t forget Graham Nash, he and Allan Clarke were old school friends who founded the Hollies. Nash’s harmonies were fundamental to the Hollies sound.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Yes, the Hollies lost Grahame Nash but fortunately they didn't really lose the sound that was peculiar to them. However, when Allan Clarke left it was a different matter. I only saw them once more after he was gone as they were never the same.

[kettering_baggie]

All this makes one wonder when a band becomes a tribute band? A good example is Dr Feelgood, a great live band in its original line up, Lee Brilleaux, Wilko Johnson, John Sparkes and The Big Figure. The ‘band’ is still touring today but with no original members, surely they should be billed as a Dr Feelgood tribute band? By the way, Wilko Johnson is still touring (as the Wilko Johnson Band) and is well worth going to see; his bass player is Norman Watt-Roy, formerly of Ian Dury’s Blockheads, a very good bassist indeed. I have been to see Wilko quite a few times and it is excellent entertainment.

[baggieal]

Yes, the Hollies lost Grahame Nash but fortunately they didn't really lose the sound that was peculiar to them. However, when Allan Clarke left it was a different matter. I only saw them once more after he was gone as they were never the same.

Exactly! One song last night for example which I love is Jennifer Eccles - it didn’t sound anything like it last night and was flat. I loved Clarke singing this with real passion and the crowd whistling every time Jennifer Eccles was mentioned!

The lead singer last night - Howarth - also did a few of his own songs and my thoughts were - what’s this got to do with the Hollies!! It actually annoyed me and was if he wanted to put his own stamp on it!

[mickd1961]

Love The Hollies and seen them three times.

Very poor without Allan Clarke though.

I respect him because he packed it in over 20 years ago because his voice had lost its quality.

Like others have said, once the lead singer goes you should call it a day.

[Omegstrat6]

Have to agree that whilst bands can get away with changing drummers/bass players/guitarists , even if those players were a key part of their sound, to change the lead singer is a step too far. I don't particularly mind Queen with Adam Levine or when Paul Rogers was with them but I wouldn't pay to see them because neither come anywhere close to Freddie.

As for the classic older "heritage" acts there aren't too many I'd want to see now as vocalists especially can lose too much power/range etc (Tom Jones being a notable exception). Having said that, I would still see McCartney if I could as his shows still sound good even if his range has dropped and no mean feat to do a 2 and half hour show at his age. Think he has been playing with his current touring band longer than he did with the Beatles now.

[Yarmbaggie]

Went to see The Manfreds just around before Covid and was really surprised how good their show was. Not just the hits from the 60s but jazz and blues. Only went because missus used to have a crush on Paul Jones!

Paul Jones, Tom McGuinness plus Mike Hugg still appearing and as others have commented providing the lead singer can still sing still worth watching.

Paul Jones was excellent and highly recommended night out. He had great rapport with the audience both on stage and during the interval.

[mickd1961]

I loved The Jam but I can’t think of anything more sad than seeing them in 81 at their peak and then seeing them if they got back together now.

Some things are best left in their era.

On the flip side ELO are fabulous live these days but that’s down to Jeff Lynne still being top notch and great backing singers filling the notes he can no longer reach.

I’d love to see Fleetwood Mac but without Lindsey Buckingham it’s pointless, the bloke from Crowded House ( Finn ) just doesn’t have the same quality or presence.

More to the point.....ONLY Buckingham can sing “Go You’re Own Way” with the right vibe to Stevie Nicks.

As an aside, Stevie is one of them almost mid 70’s women I could knock the back out of given half a chance!

Never thought I’d find women that old so attractive 😩🤣