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After watching this I have a new found admiration for Allan Clarke. What a humble man he is. Incredibly honest and gracious. There seems to be no inflated ego in him at all. How great would it be to hoist a pint with him.
Allan is a natural born front man. He has stage appeal. He always knows where the camera is. He smiles and genuinely likes what he does. And Allan knows HOW to sing. As much as I like watching his later work when he had completely perfected his craft, I think I like the early years the best. He just has so much fun on stage and that vitality is endearing.
*Alan, you're the man and voice of the Hollies.I grew up listening to you and the Hollies..there could never be another Alan Clarke..so thank you, Alan, for the music*
I love The Hollies, and although I love Graham Nash, Allan Clarke leads are my favorites. Wonderful interview and as others have said, what a humble man with so much talent.
Alan Clarke’s voice was so unique and its presence was so strong that the band could play anything and it would sound great! This is even more incredible when you consider that the rest of the band including Graham Nash and Tony Hicks could more than hold a tune on their own. Whenever I hear a Hollies song I’m overwhelmed all over again. Such great harmonies and unforgettable songs,
This is great: so good to see Allan fit and well, with no hard feelings or animosity, and still no pretensions despite his wonderful career. I personally remember very well that day 56 years ago in my native Coventry when he married Jenni (who lived with her parents just a couple of doors away from a good schoolfriend of mine). What a good band The Hollies were (and, what remains of them, still ARE).
My claim to fame was that Alan Clarke bought me a pint at a gig where I was the resident D.J. had a long chat with him at the bar after his soundcheck, and to this day I remember him as a really down to earth nice guy.
I absolutely loved this interview, I’ve always loved the Hollies since their beginning ..lovely seeing Allan, and hearing his stories of the early Hollies days...again loved it..☮️💝✌️
Jo Ann, I grew up in a truly safe environment; there was never any thought of harming one another. As a 1/2 Gewish man prayer in Sunday Skool, Confirmation after reciteing most of 10 Commandements as my friends did in Catholic school, recognizing ‘On a Carousel’ and ‘Bus Stop’ while pushing a hand lawn grass mower hearing from a transistor radio to earn a few $, and hearing Crosby, Stills, and Young and NASH ; and this morning to see on satellite telephone 10 people were murdered in Colorado I see the spillover from Ww2 with pistol and rifle manufacturers making ancient Norse death for $. March 23, 2021. I hope we can endorse organizations to stop manufacture of guns everywhere to halt stupidity whether in car, house, barn, tank, airplane, land, jet, boat, where instead of boxing or fist fighting innocent folk die. The renewal of Jewish people is like Coventry Cathedral to me. One opposite of dynamite, gunpowder is bicycles and staying healthy in sail with the law to ok this. This band gives me courage, or gevura, to get more involved.
Saw The Hollies a few times at gig's Birmingham Allan is still the best lead singer The Hollies have had I reckon though WHAT a Band !!!. Stay Safe everbody !!!>
At 72, I am not a fan of manufactured music. Looking back to the eighties I would think some of those bands would cringe when they see themselves today. The Hollies were up there with the Beatles. Allan was a great singer and front man. You watched him sing and listened. A great band, always smartly dressed for the show, and together they played honest, enjoyable music. He looks great, a decent chap, and still working. All the best to you.
I'm avid fan until now, he's the best lead singer. I'm 70 yrs old but still never tired playing all their songs. Again, thank you for the opportunity watched him in this interview. Bring back my memorable sweet memories in high school and college days...
Priorities change, as years go by, in life. Family is number one, and Allen made a good decision to leave , though all those songs, still stand today! I’m coming up on 73, and I totally understand! So good to see you, Allen, and listen to you. God bless you and your wife and family. ☺️🧡🙏🌹❤️
Absolutely riveting commentary from the legendary Mr. Allan Clarke. His is a priceless rock and roll perspective that is a joy to listen to and learn from. I can’t say enough about his talents. I was born in ‘71, so I came a bit late to the party. Mom would talk about the Hollies as being one the bands that she had seen in the ‘60s, so I had an awareness of the band from an early age. Lately, though, I’ve really just been mesmerized by their wonderful catalog of songs. I can’t say enough!
I was just 14 in 1971, and that's when I became a big fan and began collecting all their Records after watching their performance of "Hey Willy" on TOTP's. I still buy both the Hollies and Allan's solo records to this day. 👦👍🎶
A great singer... ALLAN CLARKE I salute you!. Up to these days I still love to listen to the music of your group THE HOLLIES! He sangs very well and played guitar remarkably. Wish you GOOD HEALTH, SIR ALLAN CLARKE! Take a lot of care!
Its totally admirable that Allan knew when it was time to go, there are many "has beens" who do not recognise when the game is up ! Its a bit like "Guitar Man" by Bread ......
Was thirteen in 64 when I first heard the Beatles...Hollys shortly thereafter. Listening to A.M radio in those days, where there was music explosion of great Artists like Alan Clark...Thanks for the memories Alan...
Thank you The Hollies came to Japan when I was 13 I still remember the TV show the Hollies appeared They sang two songs on the show Jeniffer Eccles and Stop Stop Stop I’ve been fascinated by Allans voice
Great interview great singer from great band from a great time .I’m glad fm radio decided to play only”classic rock” for the last 40 years. Now that I’m bored of hearing the same songs over and over ,I can with great enthusiasm listen to great stuff like “Im alive” (it escapes me how this song never made the radio in my area ,Canada) and the rest of their impressive catalog.
I get what Allan means, his voice was one of the best in the business and I can see why he wouldn't want to tarnish perfection. I still love and listen to the the Hollies and thank him creating the soundtrack of my teenage years.
Was very fortunate to see the Hollies and Allan many many times, fantastic music and a great human being. I'd still love to see him but respect his life decisions, which just goes to show the type of person he is. All the best Allan and good health and happiness to you and your family.
I was 18. In 1971. They are one of my favs I still watch them on u tube about 3 times a week they take me to my most happiest place . It’s better than any meditation. I couldn’t choose one song but each one I associate with differnt. Outfits and clubs. I get totally transported back to a great time when all my loved one were alive. And Life was So exciting I couldn’t choose one track But The keys in Suzzane send shivers. The happiness in bus stop. The emotion in he ain’t heavy. Thank you alan so much for your music. Xxx
Nice to hear Allan doing so well. I met him on that US tour with Graham and the Hollies in 1983, and he was one of the nicest people ever. It's also good to hear him speak so highly of Terry Sylvester. In 2019 when Allan's RESEARGENCE album came out, Terry's sentiments were hardly the same.
What a fabulous interview! Thanks! I still remember seing Hollies live at Bournemouth Wintergardens in 1978, just before we migrated to Australia. Alan's voice absolutley knocked our socks off! HUGE! For me, Alan was the best Hollies front man but the others are still having fun out on the road... AND they sound pretty damn good...I don't begrudge them that one iota! BUT there will only ever be one Alan Clark... bless him. XXX
The hollies were my favourite band especially Alan's voice, saw them many times Alan's voice gave me goosepimples still listen to them always will great voice alan
Allan was always a hero for me as a young lad and I bought all the Hollies singles. I liked the Beatles, but I was more a `Hollies fan` than a Beatles fan. THe Hollies played at the Odeon, Chelmsford and I was standing by the side door when they went in. Such amazing songs.
What a smashing guy. Very level headed, genuine nice person. Best wishes Alan for the future, thanks for the numerous songs the Hollies did. Still enjoy seeing the group today, would have seen them earlier this year but for the lockdown.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Love the Hollies with Allan Clarke. The Hollies wouldn't have happened without him, Nash, and Hicks. The three of them were the magic of the band. The Hollies recorded music that are now considered "classic" music. We have all their albums from beginning to the time he departed the band. Glad to know he is doing well.
Followed The Hollies since late 50's ( before they made the big time) they used to play in the town i lived in which was close to Manchester . Have everything they recorded on vinyl singles, Ep's and Lp's plus CD'S and now Allan's solo albums .
I give Allan so much credit for not following in others footsteps of "staying on the circuit" until they would drop. Kudos Allan to you from a HUGE fan from CA. Stay well and healthy.
Allan Clarke was my very favourite lead singer back then! So manly! And I was always watching out for all the Hollies' new hits, which came at one or two every year! Okay, it coincided that I liked most of their music anyway. "The Air that I breathe" for me is the greatest they did! Sublime! And I met The Hollies briefly in Hamburg at the concert hall backstage there after their concert and they were so lovely! And I got Allan's autograph too! So thrilled!
Hollies one awesome band Gasoline alley bred one of my favourites Manchester certainly has had some fantastic bands 10cc as well Graham Gouldman, Graham Nash Great song writers.
Absolutely fantastic interview with Allan Clarke. It is great a revelation of what was behind the story behind the Hollies who were one of the oustanding groups of the 60's and 70's with their stunning harmonies and songs. No autotune there but just quality voices.
I did research for Combat PTSD Nightmares with our US government about 10 years ago. I watch/listen to your He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother at least once a week. I doubt anyone could sing that like you did. I am your age now, but surely have been around for the Vietnam war and the rest following and have always worked with veterans...through various mental health systems.
So good to see him looking so well...back in the day I used to go for drinks with him and the rest of the band in a pub called the Shakespeares Head at the top end of Carnaby St
I was wishing and hoping for a long time that a Hollies biography would emerge, I now have six books about the Hollies, all of which have been published fairly recently.
Brilliant interview. Love Allan Clarke's voice in He Ain't Heavy... I hope you will write an autobiography. I was born in 1964 and I love your songs. ❤
Fascinating insights from one of the greats. He impresses me so much - a remarkably modest, family man. One part of his career not mentioned here and which has always fascinated me is that he recorded his version of Springsteen’s Born to Run before the Springsteen version came out. And he also recorded If I Was The Priest at the same time - a Springsteen song which has only just been officially released on the latest (2020) album Letter to You.
His vocals on "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is magical. BTW the "songs with handclaps" craze in the 80s Alan is referring to near the end of the interview is Stars On 45.
