The Hollies were an English pop-rock band from Manchester, formed in 1962 at the dawn of the British beat boom. Between 1963 and 1965, they placed seven singles in the UK Top 10, including “Just One Look” “Here I Go Again,” and the chart-topper “I’m Alive.”

They broke the US market with their 1965 single “Look Through Any Window” and consolidated their popularity with the 1966/67 transatlantic hits “Bus Stop,” “Carry Anne,” “Stop Stop Stop,” and “On a Carousel.” In 1967, they embraced psychedelic baroque pop on the albums Evolution and Butterfly, as heard on the tracks “Rain on the Window,” “Postcard,” “Elevated Observations?,” and “King Midas in Reverse.”

After the 1968 departure of co-founder Graham Nash to the stateside folk-pop trio Crosby Stills & Nash, The Hollies recorded the loyalty anthem “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” an enduring AM evergreen. Further hits followed into the mid-1970s, including the swampy “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” (1972) and the rising ballad “The Air That I Breathe” (1974).

Members: Allan Clarke (vocals, 1962-71, 1973-99), Graham Nash (guitar, vocals, 1962-68, 1983), Eric Haydock (bass, 1962-66), Vick Farrell (guitar, 1962), Don Rathbone (drums, 1962-63), Tony Hicks (guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric sitar, vocals, 1963-present), Bobby Elliott (drums, percussion, 1963-present), Bernie Calvert (bass, 1966-81), Terry Sylvester (guitar, vocals, 1969-81), Mikael Rickfors (vocals, 1971-73), Denis Haines (bass, 1981-86), Alan Coates (guitar, 1981-2004), Ray Stiles (bass, vocals, 1986-present), Ian Parker (keyboards, vocals, 1991-present), Carl Wayne (vocals, 2000-04)

The Hollies had their roots in the skiffle duo Ricky and Dane Young, formed in late-1950s Salford, Greater Manchester, by singing schoolmates Allan Clarke and Graham Nash. They eventually merged with local popsters The Fourtones, but left after the departure of guitarist Derek Quinn to Freddie and the Dreamers.

Clarke and Nash then joined Mancunian rivals The Deltas, which featured guitarist Vic Steele, bassist Eric Haydock, and drummer Don Rathbone. In this band, Clarke and Nash replaced singing guitarist Eric Stewart (later of 10cc), who’d just departed for The Mindbenders.

The Deltas changed their name to The Hollies for a holiday billing at Manchester’s Oasis Club in December 1962. They chose the name in tribute to Buddy Holly and the Christmas holly garland.

1963

A: “(Ain’t That) Just Like Me”
B: “Hey What’s Wrong With Me”

A: “Searchin'”
B: “Whole World Over”

A: “Stay”
B: “Now’s the Time”

1964

Stay With the Hollies

The Hollies released their debut album, Stay With the Hollies, in January 1964 on Parlophone. It contains one Clarke–Nash original (“Little Lover”) and thirteen covers, including songs by Chuck Berry (“Talking ’bout You,” “Memphis”), Little Richard (“Lucille”), Ray Charles (“What Kind of Girl Are You”), The Contours (“Do You Love Me”), Bobby Day (“Rockin’ Robin”), Conway Twitty (“It’s Only Make Believe”), Arthur Alexander (“You Better Move On”), and Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs (“Stay”). Nash sings lead on the Roy Lee Johnson cover “Mr. Moonlight” and harmonizes on eight numbers with Clarke, who sings lead on the rest.

1. “Talking ’bout You” (2:09)
2. “Mr. Moonlight” (2:05)
3. “You Better Move On” (2:46)
4. “Lucille” (2:27)
5. “Baby Don’t Cry” (2:06)
6. “Memphis” (2:34)
7. “Stay” (2:13)

8. “Rockin’ Robin” (2:17)
9. “Whatcha Gonna Do ’bout It?” (2:20)
10. “Do You Love Me” (2:10)
11. “It’s Only Make Believe” (3:13)
12. “What Kind of Girl Are You” (3:03)
13. “Little Lover” (1:58)
14. “Candy Man” (2:28)

A: “Just One Look”
B: “Keep Off That Friend of Mine”

A: “Here I Go Again”
B: “Baby That’s All”

A: “We’re Through”
B: “Come On Back”

In the Hollies Style

The Hollies released their second album, In the Hollies Style, in November 1964 on Parlophone.

1. “Nitty Gritty/Something’s Got a Hold on Me” Lincoln Chase/Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods Clarke (4:13)
2. “Don’t You Know” Clarke, with Hicks and Nash (1:57)
3. “To You My Love” Nash (2:08)
4. “It’s in Her Kiss” Rudy Clark Clarke, Nash and Hicks (2:15)
5. “Time for Love” Clarke with Nash (2:31)
6. “What Kind of Boy” Big Dee Irwin Clarke (2:39)

7. “Too Much Monkey Business” Chuck Berry Clarke, Nash and Hicks (2:28)
8. “I Thought of You Last Night” Ralph Freed Clarke and Nash (2:18)
9. “Please Don’t Feel Too Bad” Clarke (2:27)
10. “Come On Home” Clarke and Nash (1:53)
11. “You’ll Be Mine” Clarke (2:02)
12. “Set Me Free” Clarke with Nash (2:28)

1965

A: “Yes I Will”
B: “Nobody”

A: “I’m Alive”
B: “You Know He Did”

A: “Look Through Any Window”
B: “So Lonely”

Hollies

The Hollies released their third album, Hollies, in September 1965 on Parlophone.

1. “Very Last Day” Noel Stookey, Peter Yarrow Clarke (2:58)
2. “You Must Believe Me” Curtis Mayfield Clarke (2:08)
3. “Put Yourself in My Place” L. Ransford Clarke and Nash (2:40)
4. “Down the Line” Roy Orbison Clarke (2:03)
5. “That’s My Desire” Carroll Loveday, Helmy Kresa Clarke, Hicks, Nash Bridge: Clarke (2:27)
6. “Too Many People” L. Ransford Clarke (2:38)

7. “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” Lloyd Price Clarke (1:50)
8. “When I Come Home to You” L. Ransford Clarke (2:26)
9. “Fortune Teller” Naomi Neville Clarke and Nash (2:27)
10. “So Lonely” L. Ransford Clarke and Nash (2:36)
11. “I’ve Been Wrong” L. Ransford Clarke and Nash (1:56)
12. “Mickey’s Monkey” Holland-Dozier-Holland Clarke (2:30)

A: “If I Needed Someone”
B: “I’ve Got a Way of My Own”

1966

A: “I Can’t Let Go”
B: “Running Through the Night”

A: “Bus Stop”
B: “Don’t Run and Hide”

Would You Believe?

The Hollies released their fourth album, Would You Believe?, in June 1966 on Parlophone.

1. “I Take What I Want” David Porter, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, Isaac Hayes Clarke (2:15)
2. “Hard Hard Year” Ransford Clarke (2:13)
3. “That’s How Strong My Love Is” Roosevelt Jamison Clarke (2:42)
4. “Sweet Little Sixteen” Chuck Berry Clarke (2:21)
5. “Oriental Sadness” Ransford Clarke and Nash (2:37)
6. “I Am a Rock” Paul Simon Clarke (2:48)

7. “Take Your Time” Buddy Holly, Norman Petty Clarke, Nash (2:18)
8. “Don’t You Even Care” Clint Ballard, Jr. Clarke (2:27)
9. “Fifi the Flea” Ransford Nash (2:05)
10. “Stewball” Bob Yellin, Ralph Rinzler, John Herald Clarke, Nash, and Hicks (3:05)
11. “I’ve Got a Way of My Own” Ransford Clarke and Nash (2:12)
12. “I Can’t Let Go” Chip Taylor, Al Gorgoni Clarke and Nash (2:26)

A: “Stop Stop Stop”
B: “It’s You”

For Certain Because…

The Hollies released their fifth album, For Certain Because…, on December 6, 1966, on Parlophone. It’s their first album with all-original material, co-written by Clarke, Hicks, and Nash. In North America, the album appeared in January 1977 on Imperial (US) and Capitol (Canada) as Stop! Stop! Stop!

1. “What’s Wrong with the Way I Live” Clarke (2:02)
2. “Pay You Back with Interest” Clarke and Nash (2:46)
3. “Tell Me to My Face” Nash (3:09)
4. “Clown” Nash (2:16)
5. “Suspicious Look in Your Eyes” Clarke (3:37)
6. “It’s You” Clarke (2:17)

7. “High Classed” Clarke (2:21)
8. “Peculiar Situation” Clarke (2:51)
9. “What Went Wrong” Clarke (2:12)
10. “Crusader” Clarke and Nash (3:48)
11. “Don’t Even Think About Changing” Clarke (2:13)
12. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” Clarke (2:58)

A: “On a Carousel”
B: “All the World Is Love”

A: “Carrie Anne”
B: “Signs That Will Never Change”

1967

Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse (1967)

Evolution

The Hollies released their sixth album, Evolution, in June 1967 on Parlophone.

1. “Then the Heartaches Begin” Clarke (2:48)
2. “Stop Right There” Nash (2:28)
3. “Water on the Brain” Clarke (2:27)
4. “Lullaby to Tim” Nash (3:04)
5. “Have You Ever Loved Somebody?” Clarke (3:04)
6. “You Need Love” Clarke and Nash (2:32)

7. “Rain on the Window” Clarke (3:16)
8. “Heading for a Fall” Clarke (2:23)
9. “Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe” Nash and Clarke (2:22)
10. “When Your Light’s Turned On” Clarke and Nash (2:37)
11. “Leave Me” Clarke and Nash (2:30)
12. “The Games We Play” Clarke and Nash (2:46)

A: “King Midas In Reverse”
B: “Everything Is Sunshine”

Butterfly

The Hollies released their seventh album, Butterfly, in November 1967 on Parlophone.

1. “Dear Eloise” (3:04)
2. “Away Away Away” (2:19)
3. “Maker” (2:52)
4. “Pegasus” (2:38)
5. “Would You Believe?” (4:08)
6. “Wishyouawish” (2:04)

7. “Postcard” (2:17)
8. “Charlie and Fred” (2:56)
9. “Try It” (3:04)
10. “Elevated Observations?” (2:32)
11. “Step Inside” (2:51)
12. “Butterfly” (2:42)

1968

A: “Jennifer Eccles”
B: “Open Up Your Eyes”

A: “Listen to Me”
B: “Do the Best You Can”

1969

A: “Sorry Suzanne”
B: “Not That Way at All”

Hollies Sing Dylan

The Hollies released their eighth album, Hollies Sing Dylan, in May 1969 on Parlophone.

“When the Ship Comes In” (2:40)
“I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” (3:24)
“I Want You” (2:09)
“This Wheel’s on Fire” (2:52)
“I Shall Be Released” (3:20)
“Blowin’ in the Wind” (4:06)

“Quit Your Low Down Ways” (2:40)
“Just Like a Woman” (3:57)
“The Times They Are a-Changin'” (3:15)
“All I Really Want to Do” (2:19)
“My Back Pages” (2:55)
“Mighty Quinn” (2:24)

A: “He Ain’t Heavy…. He’s My Brother”
B: “‘Cos You Like to Love Me”

Hollies Sing Hollies

The Hollies released their ninth album, Hollies Sing Hollies, in November 1969 on Parlophone.

1. “Why Didn’t You Believe?” Terry Sylvester, Allan Clarke (3:33)
2. “Don’t Give Up Easily” Tony Hicks (2:18)
3. “Look at Life” Sylvester, Clarke (2:31)
4. “Please Sign Your Letters” Sylvester, Clarke, Hicks (3:45)
5. “My Life is Over with You” Clarke, Hicks (3:20)
6. “Please Let Me Please” Hicks, Clarke (3:13)

7. “Do You Believe In Love” Sylvester, Clarke, Hicks (3:44)
8. “Soldier’s Dilemma” Clarke (2:57)
9. “Marigold: Gloria Swansong” Sylvester, Clarke (5:28)
10. “You Love ‘Cos You Like It” Sylvester Clarke (2:52)
11. “Reflections of a Time Long Past” Bernard Calvert (2:29)
12. “Goodbye Tomorrow” Clarke (3:50)

1970

A: I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top
B: Mad Professor Blyth

A: Gasoline Alley Bred
B: Dandelion Wine

Confessions of the Mind

The Hollies released their tenth album, Confessions of the Mind, in November 1970 on Parlophone.

1. “Survival of the Fittest” Graham Nash, Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks (3:07)
2. “Man Without a Heart” Clarke, Terry Sylvester (2:27)
3. “Little Girl” Tony Hicks (3:01)
4. “Isn’t It Nice?” Clarke, Sylvester (3:48)
5. “Perfect Lady Housewife” Clarke, Sylvester (4:39)
6. “Confessions of a Mind” Hicks (5:47)

7. “Lady Please” Hicks (2:41)
8. “Frightened Lady” Hicks (3:16)
9. “Too Young to Be Married” Hicks (4:02)
10. “Separated” Clarke (3:31)
11. “I Wanna Shout” Clarke, Sylvester (2:54)

A: Hey Willy
B: Row The Boat Together

Distant Light

The Hollies released their eleventh album, Distant Light, on October 8, 1971, on Parlophone.

“What a Life I’ve Led” (3:58)
“Look What We’ve Got” (4:07)
“Hold On” (Allan Clarke) (4:07)
“Pull Down the Blind” (Terry Sylvester) (3:30)
“To Do with Love” (3:29)
“Promised Land” (4:20)

“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” (Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway) (3:19)
“You Know the Score” (Terry Sylvester, Allan Clarke) (5:37)
“Cable Car” (Terry Sylvester) (4:25)
“A Little Thing Like Love” (Allan Clarke, Tony Macaulay) (3:19)
“Long Dark Road” (4:16)

Romany

The Hollies released their twelfth album, Romany, in November 1972 on Polydor.

“Won’t We Feel Good That Morning” (Day, Leslie)
“Touch” (Mikael Rickfors)
“Words Don’t Come Easy” (Colin Jennings)
“Magic Woman Touch” (Colin Jennings, Garth Watt-Roy)
“Lizzy and the Rainman” (Larry Henley, Kenny O’Dell)
“Down River” (David Ackles)

“Slow Down” (Day, Leslie)
“Delaware Taggett and the Outlaw Boys” (Colin Jennings)
“Jesus Was a Cross Maker” (Judee Sill)
“Romany” (Colin Jennings)
“Blue in the Morning” (Kenny Lynch, Tony Hicks)
“Courage of Your Convictions” (Alan Rush, Randy Cullers)

Hollies

The Hollies released their fourteenth album, Hollies, in March 1974 on Polydor.

1. “Falling Calling” Allan Clarke, Terry Sylvester (3:11)
2. “It’s a Shame, it’s a Game” C. Horton Jennings, Tony Hicks (3:41)
3. “Don’t Let Me Down” Allan Clarke (4:20)
4. “Out on the Road” Kenny Lynch, Tony Hicks (2:54)
5. “The Air That I Breathe” Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood (4:11)

6. “Rubber Lucy” Allan Clarke (4:06)
7. “Transatlantic Westbound Jet” Bobby Elliott, Terry Sylvester (3:12)
8. “Pick up the Pieces Again” Terry Sylvester (3:58)
9. “Down on the Run” C. Horton Jennings, Tony Hicks (3:49)
10. “Love Makes the World Go Round” Allan Clarke, Terry Sylvester (3:43)
11. “The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee” Allan Clarke (4:25)

Discography: