The Hollies

The Hollies are an English pop group from Manchester formed in the early 1960s. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style (which influenced many other groups) they became one of the leading British groups of the era, and they enjoyed considerable popularity in many other countries (including Australia) although they did not achieve major US chart success until 1966. Like the Rolling Stones and Steeleye Span, they are also notable as one of the few British pop groups of the 1960s that has never officially broken up and which continues to record and perform to the present.
Member Graham Nash told Public Radio International (Bob Edwards show ; February 15, 2009) that the group decided just prior to a performance to call themselves the Hollies because of their admiration for Buddy Holly. The original lineup included Allan Clarke as lead vocalist, Graham Nash as guitarist and backup vocalist, Jeremy Levine on rhythm guitar, with Eric Haydock and Don Rathbone rounding out the group on bass and drums. Levine, due to a run-in with the law, was dismissed from the group shortly before they signed to Parlophone in 1963 as label-mates of the Beatles. The group released their first album in the United States in 1964 as part of the first wave of British Invasion releases. They are commonly associated with Manchester, as some of the original Hollies grew up in the city. Tony Hicks then Bobby Elliot who both played in a Nelson-based band, the Dolphins, joined the band in quick succession in 1963. Bernie Calvert who replaced Haydock in 1966 was also a Dolphin member. ...suite...