British guitarist analyses The Hollies live in 1969! 

The clarity of Allan Clarke's vocal in this is amazing

My neighbor when we lived in England from '63 to '66 was 15 years old. She absolutely adored Tony Hicks and that is all she talked about. I suggested she write him a letter and oddly enough, Tony wrote her back and it was a real letter, not a printed "fan pack". I got off the bus from school one day and here comes Janet waving the letter and screaming like a panther, nearly tackling me to thank me for telling her to write him.

I went to see the Hollies in Charlotte, NC in 1965 when they opened for Herman's Hermits. I can remember us asking each other, "Who are the Hollies?". Boy! Did we find out. They blew the crowd away and have been one of my favorite groups since. Thanks for the video link.

"I'm Alive" (live) -- The Hollies. Tony Hicks' guitar -- so electrically-clean and simple -- a sound that makes the harpist angels blush.

Tony Hicks deserves a thread of his own. Hard to find examples of his playing, but he could shred. One of the top guitarists in the UK. Almost completely overlooked.

The musicianship of Tony Hicks & Bobby Elliot is such an underrated quality of the Hollies.

My fav single of the Hollies is “I Can’t Let Go”. Here in the Midwest, USA many “garage bands” played that song.

Weren’t we a lucky generation to have wonderful bands like the Hollies. So many hits and their success did not deter when Graham Nash left them. Wonderful songs and harmonies 👍

British 60's bands are awesome. 👍👍

“The talent level that was required in order to be a professional musician.” You’ve got it in one sentence. You’ll never see Allan Clarke in any top rock poll, or Bobby in any drummer poll: but my God, you should. Excellent analysis. Thank you.

Tony Hicks deserves an analysis in his own right. He is a wonderful guitar player.. Thanks for your posts, they're brilliant...

Loved the Hollies-enunciation, harmony, joy

tony hicks was a very under rated guitar player who could make a great little riff off the cuff superbly

Without doubt one of the best ever groups to come out of the UK, people raved at the time about the Beatles but these guys were right up there with them, in fact if you would check out the 1960s you will find out that the Hollies had more hits than the Beatles and regards Tony Hicks, he was an absolute one off, I remember at the time with the Manchester club scene, we used to call him `the man with a thousand fingers`, I don't think we realised then what a fantastic group they were, when I think back now 2020 how lucky we were living in Manchester with all the local groups we had.

Fil, I watch several "reaction" videos where the poster uses the music for their own aggrandizement.....and I never learn anything. Your videos however teach me tons of information about the bands and music styles and techniques. Very professional.

One of my favourite bands, still in love with Allan after all these years!

In the early sixties (63) I worked with a couple of junior groups raising money for charities. We had the Hollies one night and I was totally blown away by their live sound. Never had large pa systems in those days and a lot of groups played and sang through their guitar amps (when I say sang, it actually took me six months before I realised my bandmates in our group used to turn my Mic off). They were the best live group around in those days. All about their balance and harmonies.

I've always admired the Hollies harmonies. Classic British talent.

The Hollies, great as they were, were underrated. FIL, you're right about the talent level of bands in the sixties.

Love The Hollies

I always like The Hollies. Impeccable vocal harmonies, good songwriting and professional musicianship. Allan Clarke was arguably the best lead singer of that era. I've always considered their hit "Bus Stop" to be the perfect pop music song - nice uptempo song with a sweet story, timed perfectly for the 2 and a half minute radio window.

I love harmony so much...probably why I gravitate to the bands of the 60's and 70's. The Everly Brothers, The Eagles, America, Pure Prairie League...wow did we have music of a life time and a lot of it.

Billy Elliott is an effortless drummer. Total natural.

Wow, I am a Beatles fanatic, but I rate the Hollies right on their heals. They have the most incredible harmonies. Great review Fil.

Don’t forget the brilliant Bobby Elliott, one of the best British rock drummers of all time - a drummer’s drummer. I saw them live in Peterborough in the early days, I was a fan forever.

There were so many great bands in the 60's and 70's, so much talent, so much creativity.

Tony Hicks has discovered the secret of eternal youth!

Even without Nash they were great in 69. Tony is cool. Thank you Fil for the review

Your musical knowledge in general and how well read you are on the history of these bands is quite impressive.

Imagine a one take audition demo going straight to pressing today?...it just doesn't happen any more. Love the Hollies. ..Bobby Elliot. .great drummer. ..Great one Fil.

I was lucky enough to see the Hollies live in the US back in the '60s when Graham Nash was still with them.

There are amazing harmonies and choirboy histories of so many British bands. When you up the blues and soul elements it became an unstoppable force.

Im a massive Graham Nash fan but I think The Hollies sound got even smoother and easier on the ear when he was replaced by Terry Sylvester. Graham had such a distinctive voice, though and I love him dearly.

The Hollies were always great.

With his RU-vid videos, Fil has taught me more about the popular music of our times than even 50 years of listening to public radio!

GREAT, GREAT BAND THE HOLLIES ONE OF THE VERY BEST.

With members this good, in playing instruments and harmonizing, I forgot Graham Nash was ever a member

You really miss hearing Graham’s signature voice in the mix. Bus Stop and Look Through Any Window were my faves.

I just LOVED these guys .... and their stories in their songs ....

You are spot-on about recording records in those days. Most recording studios were 4-track, so you didn't have the opportunity to add a lot to the songs. Some of the bigger studios had 6 or 8-track but most were 4-track studios back then. Also, I want to give a shout-out to Tony Hicks who I think is one of the more underrated musicians of the era. He sang, wrote songs, did a lot of the lead guitar work but also played bass and piano as well. An all-around great musician!

I Can't Let Go and I'm Alive - two great ones.

Terry Sylvester's haircut is killing me. 🤪🤣🤣🤣😂😁

One of the first songs I heard on my new transistor radio!!! Late 60’s early 70’s! I listen to the radio 24/7!

From the days before Autotune. See? Some people could carry a tune beautifully without being enhanced by electronic modification.

The Hollies are brilliant, each member so very underrated . Even though Allan is no longer with them, he has just come out of retirement and recorded a new album due to be released in September. You must listen to a track from it - Journey of Regret.

I was hooked onto this band for many years. They're my favorite pop band of all times.

Allan Clarke was an awesome vocalist and Graham Nash harmonized so great together. Terry Sylvester had big shoes to fill!!!! A shame Allan's voice changed in the 90s and retired.

I remember meeting Clark. 1964-65 we lived in Jersey ( channel Islands) My mother was involved in the go kart track business . We were all sitting next to the cafe eating our lunchtime sandwich when this tall guy ( he was wearing cuben heeled boots) approach us. As he stumbled forward on the gravel, my mother said what on earth is this, commenting on the red shirt black velvet collar and curly hair with a massive bouffant. He asked us about hiring the track for the following afternoon and explained that he was from the pop group the hollies After making arrangements he stumbled away across the gravel ( cuben heels giving him a difficult time) I must say he looked very odd In his get up. The next day they used the track And we're great to talk to and very polite to my mother. We all were given free tickets for their show. There is a short video of them at our go kart track on RU-vid video somewhere. Good old days I could tell many stories about pop groups visiting us in the early 60s as most of them Were keen to try karting. We had them all Including the Stones and Beatles. Exactly one year later never in my wildest dreams could I of imagined that I would be listening to their latest hit ( I'm alive) In the middle of the Sarawak Jungle after coming off of a patrol to hunt a few Indonesians But we were all still alive.

Love The Hollies❣️ So many great songs. Did not realize they had so many changes in band members. Thanks, Fil, for the background❣️

Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress is one of my favorite pop songs of all time. Good group

Hi Fil! I love the Hollies! Stop Stop Stop is a fave with Tony Hicks bangin on the banjo!

Loved the Hollies, but I never knew their long history and evolution of personnel. Great details on harmonies and rock solid rhythm section, Fil!

I was 9-years-old when that song was released, and it was one of my favorites! It brings back so many great memories. The Hollies have some great songs in their repertoire!

Naming the band The Hollies as a tribute to Buddy Holly was a nice touch. Great band. Like The Beatles name was a tribute to The Crickets. Thanks Fil for the clip. Nice research.

Thanks for this one, Fil. I've seen this whole video multiple times in the past, and was always amazed at how great they were live. Tight, solid and perfect.

You are so knowledgeable and informative that its always a pleasure to watch and share your videos

I always love the Hollies music extremely talented! Group.

This is one of the earliest song memories from my childhood, along with tracks from Chet , the fab four and others. Much later, I learned "Long Cool Woman". The Hollies are one of the largest influences on my singing and guitar playing. I was raised in a very musical family, and I appreciate the "natural" musicians that you highlight. Music can be learned, but if you were born into it it's in your DNA. Hearing my dad play and improvise on the keyboard, and my older siblings play as well on other instruments, this reminds me that I am blessed.

Man, you are good, Fil!!!! I grew up listening with (somewhat of a critical ear) to many of these bands like The Beatles (everyone has them as the ultimate standard, right?), The Hollies, The Rascals, The Association, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Animals, The Kinks, etc., but YOU are giving me a whole new understanding of the musicians and what was REALLY happening with these groups. Love listening to your insight. Thank You!!! Mitch Long

“Long Cool Woman” done in 1971 was a huge departure from what they were doing only 2-3 years before!

Funny how we associate music with various times and places in our lives. It can be very emotional. The Hollies brings back memories of my depressing middle school and high school years during the early 70's, this culminating in a major personal crisis around 1975. It was the upbeat disco sound combined with the booming roller skating culture that pulled me out of a deep whole. The late 70's were so much fun. Music is a very powerful thing for sure.

Another "Home Run" Fil!!! I love your enjoyment of the classic rock music!

Bern Calvert is an awesome bassist! I think he carries the song.

I appreciate your dissecting the songs you have chosen. I am learning a lot of the historical backgrounds of the artists. And you are an excellent teacher.

Loved these boys. Such good invasion music. One of the first to go 12 string

Never broke up or disbanded. Still playing their music today. Often overlooked when the British Invasion is mentioned. Took until 2010 to put them in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Yet the fans have loved the harmony vocals and the songs and the group for 50+ years. Proves that the listening public and the music buying individuals knows a thing or two.

Great info as always, Fil. I'm old enough to have experienced The Everly Brothers in real time, and I've always thought The Hollies had the tightest live male vocal harmonies in the business.

Absolutely love this band. Funny story, I was restricted in my home growing up from watching/listening to music outside of home including all Rock n Roll. Since popular music only came to my ear after '75, this was well beyond the major popularity of the Hollies and so many others, even the Beatles. I missed out on hearing until recently. At 57, I began attending Berklee School of Music and Spring of last year I took "Rock and Roll History" class. I was introduced to everything from the 50's which now included The Hollies and so many more. I am a new fan of these guys and so many more. It may have been late for me, but It's a massive new love for me. Thank you Fil for reviewing The Hollies and as always, your review is completely spot-on!

Without a doubt the music of the late Sixties was the best ever!! Even here in Ireland we looked to the English music scene for quality hit songs!

Their version of He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother is one of my all time favorites!

I love your knowledge and analyses of groups. The Hollies have been one of my favorite groups since the first song I heard them play. Keep up the good work. Your instincts and research are right on the mark.

I still love their songs like bus stop, Sandy ( 4 of july), magic woman touch, Listen to me, Dear Eloise,......

So many great hits from one of the underrated groups of the 60s. I can not listen to He Aint Heavy He's My Brother without sobbing uncontrollably. I do not think more powerful words can be written. Just a fantastic group.

Love the Hollies remarkable group in my heart.

Fil!!! I really appreciate you going deep into the past to find talent.... From Buddy Holly to SRV you share the greatest rock/guitar talents! ❤

The late 50,s , 60,s and 70,s have produced what we can now call real handmade music played by real musicians. The amount of great music that evolved during that era was unbelievable. The Beatles were first on the scene, immediately followed by all these amazing Brittish invasion bands such as The Hollies,The Kinks, The Rolling Stones,The Moody blues, The Searchers, The Animals, The Who, The Smal Faces and many more. I was right in the middle of all that. A magical musical era, the best ever,pure and simple. Melodies and harmonies that lodge in the mind and soul forever. No better time in music history and music has never been as great either or fear ever will again. I had no idea about the Marianne Fathful connection. Thanks for the info. After 50 years i never get tired of listing to The Hollies.

Did not know the Marianne Faithful connection. Great learning new stuff. Just when I thought I knew it all. Her LP "Broken English" really blew my mind. Thank you Fil

Rick Beato also has a RU-vid channel for analyzing old rock songs. But in his channel, he has the separate tracks and shares them, so that his audience can hear what individual instruments are doing in each song. And he explains concepts like "reverse piano". Checkout Rick Beato.

You appeared for the first time on my feed this morning with the DC5 Glad All Over and I’m hooked, love the nostalgia and you are absolutely gorgeous to look at and love your voice....♥️ cheers from Las Vegas

I've always loved this song's signature line "Hey, Carrie Ann.." So good. Thanks Fil!

It is a pleasure listening to you doing these analysis.

I always think of "The Air That I Breathe" when I think of the Hollies. Such an amazing tune.

I always enjoyed this group. Thanks for highlighting them.

I had this record on 45 when i was 11

love the hollies! i saw the hollies during their first u.s. tour at the paramount theater (n.y.c.) when they were part of the rock and roll revue backing up tv comedian and kid's show idol soupy sales, easter week 1965!!

I loved the way He Ain't Heavy starts with an easy low pitch vocal line, then explodes with harmony on the second line "But I'm Strong..."

I've always been a massive Keith Moon fan (as a "natural" drummer) but check out the early Hollies track "SET ME FREE". Bobby Elliot is an animal! SO underrated he was....

Such a fun band, so many good songs (I liked their 60s tunes) and so much talent. I watched an old documentary about them and there was a bit where they were singing a cappella all bunched up around a mic in the studio to rehearse their vocals - wonderful! They also used some interesting instruments in their arrangements, usually played by Tony, but they also brought in a guy to play steel drum on Carrie Anne who they just found busking on a street.

I always like your analyses and obvious interest and appreciation of a time when we were far less uptight!

These guys are the Energizer Bunnies of Rock n Roll. Hit after hit in the mid-Sixties, a hiatus from stardom for a time until He Ain''t Heavy, then The Air that I Breathe, followed a while later by Long Cool Woman. Long after the critics and some of the public thought they were through, they kept rockin'. Loved 'em all but Tony Hicks is my true unsung hero of the song-oriented guitarist. Second only to George Harrison.

Wow! So much background information! I will have to watch this again. They were exceptional with so many hit songs. I grew up with radio, records, and tapes. I love your channel because I actually get to see artists perform. Thank you, Fil! Just awesome!

Loved this group! One of my favorites "The Air That I Breath"

I love this performance even more than the studio version. Very well done. Pros.

I got to meet Terry Sylvester, a few years ago, and when the Hollies did a reunion years ago, at a concert they gave to a local theatre in the round that was in my parents' neighborhood, and had a front row seat for that. Afterwards was able to get all their autographs on a photo. I met Graham Nash again at another show, back in the early 2000s. I have a GREAT DVD on the Hollies entire career and all the videos they ever made. It is SUCH a great DVD and I am so happy I found it.

Great analysis/breakdown of this performance and historical background on the band! Another of my favourites is "Look Through Any Window".

The sound is very rich coming out of 2 acoustic guitars. And lets not forget Bobby Elliot.

The Hollies' version of "I'm Alive" is my fave. Masterful musicianship throughout their career!

Loved this song. Especially the bridge. Saw them live at Md U.

How very delightful!! Thank you so much, I like your segments!!!!!

Wonderful harmonies. The band continued even after Allan Clarke left. They were favourites in the 60s - preferred them over the Beatles. Thanks again Fil for another excellent analysis.