George Harrison VS The Hollies | The Feud of December 1965 

George was probably tired of how everybody wanted a piece of The Beatles success from any angle. It seems The Hollies meant no harm since these covers dominated the charts in those days. The Beatles were getting covered by anyone within recording distance of a microphone. Too bad that such well respected artists had to square off like this. The Beatles fame was unprecedented, and it seems that anything could happen at that point. Great story.

The Hollies were a great live band! Bobby on drums was a different class, Tony Hicks and Alan Clarke were also top drawer. So underrated.

All this was part of my youth, and I liked both groups, it was was a wonderful period of my life, used to see the Hollies down our local town hall, with all the other groups of the sixties, we never gave it a thought how lucky we were..

The Hollies should have allowed the public to hear the original before releasing their so so version. I side with George on this dispute.

I’m a fanatical Beatles fan and never really knew the story behind this! I learned a lot! Thank you! 😊🇨🇦👍

Both songs were released on the same day. I don’t blame George for being mad at all. That was a pretty tight thing to do period, especially to George Harrison and The Beatles.

Both great bands. Love em both

Graham Nash came across as really mature from his statements in this video, especially given how erratically artists can respond to public criticisms in other instances.

I've been both a Beatles and Hollies fan since their early days. I Iike both versions. I think George was mad because both songs came out simultaneously and his version languished on Side B of "Rubber Soul" while The Hollies version reached number 20 on the charts. They didn't "spoil his song" as he put it and his comments about their musical abilities was just mean spirited. George should have treated himself to a savory truffle and chilled out.

They are both great groups ❤️

Tony Hicks lead guitarist with The Hollies has a son Paul who has been involved with various remixing and remastering of Beatles and solo Beatle projects. Paul Hicks and Dhani Harrison worked together to produce the 50th Anniversary of All Things Must Pass. I think Dhani and Paul went to the same school together so all must have been forgiven.

Two bands named after The Buddy Holly legacy. That's all I got.

It amazed me how back in day, a cover could be recorded and released simultaneously to the original!

I just listened to The Hollies' version for the first time, and although it's not bad it's not as good as the original. The things that work best about it (vocal harmonies being the most obvious one) replicate what The Beatles did, so there doesn't seem to be much point. I do feel Harrison was too harsh about the group, but releasing the single at the same time as the original came out without adding anything distinctive was a bad idea in retrospect.

The interesting thing was that The Hollies producer was Ron Richards who was George Martin's assistant and helped produce a number of The Beatles' early sessions.

I think George was upset when they asked him if he wrote the song for the Hollies, instead of being a song of his own

I love it when the late, great, George Harrison describes things as “rubbish” and “bollocks.” George rules.

I'd be pissed off if I was George because he wrote the song and the Hollies took it and used it exactly at the same time as the Beatles did. I can't believe that used to happen and I can't believe an established group like the Hollies would need to cover a Beatles song or even want to do it since they're stars already.

How soon after this did they release Bus Stop because that song really did smash the charts! 😀

It's kind of amazing how much The L.A. mid '60's sound The Byrds, Beach Boys etc. influenced The Beatles Help, Rubber Soul and Revolver.

Vintage tea! George was always blunt as an ax. He always struck me as a no bullshit person. Graham’s response is pure class though. It would be so easy for him to just dismiss the Beatles as overrated. He’s a man of his word too. He seemed pretty into “Baby You’re A Rich Man” during his blind date and had some very lovely things to say about the band. Conversely, thinking about the Yellow Submarine video, it makes one wonder if maybe this was the birth of George’s frustration with people releasing Beatles tracks as singles and they the band went out and released Eleanor Rigby and Yellow Submarine on their own.

No one did a Beatles song better than the Beatles. Nobody!!!

Wow , never heard about this one! I did not even know the Hollies did the song….and I was 12 and listening to all the Bands back then constantly. I guess it never came out in the U.S at all then? The Beatles version is the definitive one for me!

One thing I love about this channel, getting to hear news we missed in the US when I was 11 and buying my first Beatles and Hollies records. This song wasn't on the American version of Rubber Soul, and the Hollies single wasn't released here. I first heard it this week on another video here. And of course the Hollies had hits for years to come. Though I don't recall ever hearing the song mentioned at the end of the video as their next hit, Wikipedia says it was on the US charts.

I love the Beatles, and I love George, but his reaction was very immature and rude. It took him a while to become a kind and spiritual man. When fame hit him out of the blue, so young, he didn't seem to know how to deal with it. One day George gave a long speech to Mick Jagger about how many more records the Beatles sold than the Stones, and when he finished, John Lennon said to Mick, in front of everyone: ''don't worry about George, he still hasn't recovered from the surprise that he can sell records...''🤣 Excellent video, Yesterday's Papers. Thank you very much.🌹💯🤗

Love The Hollies with all my heart but If I Needed Someone seems forced and not their best work. The song itself is marvellous and George Harrison and The Beatles original is by far the superior one.

Even after only hearing a snippet of Hollies "Needed Someone' they're sorely missing Paul McCartney's masterful baseline. Exceptionally musical base playing for this Harrison track.

Love the background music on your vids. Groovy man. 👍👌✌

George may have been harsh on the Hollies, but since it was released almost simultaneously with Rubber Soul I understand his criticism somewhat. George heard the misinformation claiming he wrote the song for the Hollies, so he may have felt their version appeared to be the original in the eyes of many and The Beatles/his arrangement the cover. Had the Hollies waited simply a matter of weeks to release their cover of the song George may have felt completely different and may have possibly even been flattered they chose to record his song.

Another great vid with excellent research from YP, thanks.

The Beatles success was unprecedented and phenomenal, there was a lot of jealousy, Graham Nash has not always been so full of praise, but he’s come to realise just how brilliant the Beatles really were.

The Chicago group The Cryan' Shames had intended to release "If I Needed Someone" as their debut single in 1966. Due to issues with publishing they did not release it as a single, but it was included on their LP "Sugar and Spice." As a child I had this LP before I had "Rubber Soul", so it was The Cryan' Shames' version I first enjoyed. They did a good job with the record (they were no Beatles, of course) and by not releasing it as a single potentially avoided some controversy as well! Also, the Beatles version is superior to The Hollies single, sorry Graham.

I just listened to “I Can’t Let Go” for the first time. It’s an awesome song and as a huge 1960’s music fan I question why this track was never included on any of the Hollies “Best Of” compilations. I really love this series of stories and look forward to seeing more.

I'm an American who'd never heard of the Hollies' version until now. The irony: Their first real stateside hit, "Bus Stop," sounded like "Things We Said Today" turned 90 degrees. I've never heard Paul McCartney denigrate the song.

Their follow up, I Can't Let Go reached number 2. A smash hit.

This channel is always so interesting!

How I wish I could return to December of '65-1 year and 3 months. Happier days. 😊😊

🎶 never seen the Beatles,but scene the Hollies,the Hollies where pure natural, compared to the Beatles which was just made up pop band where the drummer could not play he seemed like a wound up toy,and the corney jokes of the Beatles where a sign of the Beatles on there way out, the Hollies was always on the front line of music and still one of my favourite bands from the 60's which was a fabulous time for music, thanks for sharing your story 🎶🤸😿🌿

Oh I’m on George Harrison’s side 100% on this one. He wrote the song. He’s an artist that created a piece of art and someone else did something with his art. I would be a little miffed too.

"I'm not to say rubbish like I'm going to burn all their records in my collection" He did called out the future. Only 6 months later. Accidentally referenced the people who wanted to knock Beatlemania down. If I Needed Someone needed to close the album, tbh

Another awesome upload 👍 I LOVE YESTERDAY'S PAPERS! ❤️

Not bad. The Hollies came back from war with the messiahs of rock and roll; and the next single they release may just be the best in their catalog.

A tempest in a teapot. GH should have just chilled and enjoyed the royalties. And the publicity.

It’s the old Manchester vs Liverpool rivalry!

Both versions are fantastic !!!

Your channel rocks! Thanks.

It reminds me if that feud between Real Madrid and Accrington Stanley.

Both groups are absolutely among the all time greatest and the song is as good as it gets. I’m glad I hadn’t heard it before because I could be somewhat unbiased. Went straight to each rendition and was blown away by BOTH versions. I think the edge goes to the Beatles though because they’ve always had such a fantastic tightness to their sound. And even though I can see George’s point, he was perhaps a bit too harsh with his comments.

The Hollies Evolution album was a great record. I’m surprised George would have been so harsh on them. They didn’t have the songwriting talent of the Beatles at first but they certainly bloomed well later.

Ouch.. That hurt!

Best cover of a George Harrison song I've heard is That Is All, Harry Nilsson. My girlfriend's mum liked it so much I let her keep the record (That's the Way it Is, lp). 😄

this is a good example how rock bands trolled each other back in the mid 60's when they didn't have internet.

It’s just that it came out when Rubber Soul did. If it came out two months later, I’m sure that they all would have been happy.

I see this sort of thing as an attempt to confuse the listening public as to who the originator is. If you heard the hollies version first, you might be inclined to think they wrote it. Especially since they released it as a single.

Wow, Harrison nailed it! I knew there was a reason he was my favorite Beatle. I loved the guitar styles he emulated, and the original ones were too hard for him to play as they were for me, but I liked the considered and tasteful way he used them to make his own style. I followed his example when I encountered anything too difficult for me to play. I would strip it down a bit, and make my own style. Necessity is the mother of invention. I liked the Hollies, but they were kind of plastic fantastic studio musicians, who couldn't rock like musicians who had played a lot together on the road. George understood Lennon's aesthetic of staying in the spirit of the groove and glossing over imperfections. Lennon would say: "Good enough, next song."

Reached number two in the charts.

The Hollies cover (and Roger McGuinn's) were just that. covers. They did the song, but it didn't move me. George's version was a BEATLES song; and it sounds like it. They brought their A-Game to the studio for this one. It's my favorite George song; and of all the Beatles songs, I'd have to say it's in my personal Top 5. (I play it on my 12-string)

I recall that in 1966 my aunt gifted me the new Hollies album and inside I was disappointed that it wasn't a Beatles album. It's strange to think that British bands at the time would record and try to capitalize on new Beatles songs.

Love the comment about “Steptoes backyard”

Just for those who don't know, the U.S. version of Rubber Soul had a slightly different track listing than the British version, and If I Needed Someone was not on the U.S. version. We had to wait half a year until the compilation Yesterday and Today came out. Such was the case with Beatles albums until Revolver.

"Bus Stop" was the best ever that Hollies produced, that millions thought it was produced by Beatles , and that forced the Beatles to change . The era of Rock and Road was ending.

Yeah, they had nine records before this and MIGHT have had no problem with anyone, if they had just released it as a 'B' side on a single or put it somewhere inside an album...but releasing it the same day as the Beatles released Rubber Soul...well....a bit tacky.

Anyone else goto listen to Harrison version while watching the video

I love the hollies! But I also agree that their cover is kind of soulless

Graham Nash did have a point about how everyone took what The Beatles said as the word of God.

My two favourite bands of the sixties. Such a shame to read about this feud so many years later. I actually heard the Hollies sing this song live in 1965 and I have both great versions. Perhaps it could have been some music journalist trying to stir up a bit of controversy. Hopefully it will have raised the value of my Hollies version!

I like both groups and I think they both handled things just fine. Considering how hard it was for George to get tracks on albums, he's going to be protective of his baby and rightfully want to shade a version that doesn't have all the details of the original. Hollies were being a bit cheeky recording a cover of a new Beatles song but did a decent enough version. Graham's response was pretty thoughtful, and they were inspired to make a solid hit out of the exchange.

Not sure why George was angry. They would have had to license the song, and George would have gotten paid for that; that’s why John and Paul were so happy to have their songs covered.

The girl who wrote the 'steptoe's backyard' comment could never have imagined it would make someone laugh 57 years later in 2022 on a thing she couldn't conceive of called the internet.

George should have kept quiet and counted his royalties. The fact that another group wanted to cover a George Harrison song was proof that he had arrived as a songwriter. He should have taken it as a compliment.

It seems odd to me that the Hollies would record the song before the Beatles had even released it. I read on Wikipedia that George Martin gave a demo of it to the Hollies' producer. I know things were different back then and it was not uncommon for groups to cover the songs of other artists, but was a simultaneous release out of the norm, even back then? I am also surprised that the Hollies would even cover a Beatles song. Not saying they were as good as the Beatles, but I would have thought by then they had established themselves enough that they would have not done that.

"Steptoe's backyard" 😂 Reference to BBC Steptoe & Son comedy show about a 'rag and bone' team, later the inspiration for the US TV Sanford and Son with Redd Foxx

I have to side with George on this one. The cover is sung strangely, not as lyrical as the Beatles.

Graham: “I’m not gonna burn their records or something...” Americans: “Write that down, write that down!!!!” 😂

"Sounded like it was recorded in Steptoe's backyard." is most savagely British music criticism I've ever heard and most likely will ever hear.

Ah yes 1965, these were the great controversies the world had to deal with. I miss those days.

I love that I saw “is rock and roll making a comeback?” in one of the press clippings…ha!

I've been a Beatles nut since 1963, But I think George was being a bit harsh. He tended to be the grumpy one at times anyway. His song "Don't bother me", from "With the Beatles", summed him up a bit I think. The Hollies were a great band in their own right and they didn't need to cover A Beatles song. "If I needed someone", in my opinion isn't that great a song anyway, well below the standard of other Hollies singles around that time. George went on to write far better songs.

My proper introduction to the Hollies was “ I can’t let go” & I promptly went most thoroughly moist. They did indeed save face. That said, compare & contrast w the subsequent event/s that prompted Graham Nash to eventually quit.

Nice channel but you need to create some playlists for easy navigation. I would really like a chronological playlist of the various artists talking about the top hits of a particular date - sort them from the earliest time you have sequentially all the way up until the latest date. Then as you make them put them in their proper place. ;)

I'm guessing that the way the question was phrased to George hiked up the tension about the whole event. It made him feel lesser than he should have felt. He felt under pressure from John and Paul, and the question seemed like an insult. I'm just guessing, though.🤷‍♂❤❤

I was born around the time If I needed someone was released, so I am not prejudiced. I only recently dug into the Beatles, and "If I needed someone" definetely is in my personal Top 5 of the Beatles song, and Rubber Soul as far as I'm concerned the strongest, top song packed album they have made. Didn't know the Hollies version, but after listening to it, had immediately to agree with Harrison. The Hollies certainly made a number of very good (not excellent) songs, but their version of If I needed someone really sucks. It's a quickie, made between breakfast and dinner, without much inspiration, without soul. But then again, the original version is so damned top notch, whatever cover version wouldn't even reach to its knees. This one doesn't even reach toe-level. This was exactly what they said they weren't doing: jumping on the bandwagon for some extra cash. Calling this a tribute would be adding insult to the injury.

I don't remember The Overlanders getting such a comprehensive shellacking when they put out their version of Michelle at around the same time, and had the brass nerve to take it to No1. Is that because they weren't a well-established act like The Hollies? And so could be excused for helping themselves to a leg-up from Lennon and McCartney?

Many years ago, l talked to The Cavern DJ Bob Wooler about famous names he brought to The Cavern Club, Liverpool. He basically ran the club when it came to booking acts.. On the subject of The Hollies this is what he recalled. He said he had had a poster printed with the words ‘ COMING SOON TO THE CAVERN MANCHESTER’S BEATLES , THE HOLLIES! When they arrived to perform , Allan Clarke looked at the poster near the entrance to the club and said to Wooler ‘what’s all this, we’re The Hollies, not the f--ing Beatles and don’t you forget it’.. Apparently Graham Nash stood there laughing.. So , l think there was a certain amount of rivalry between some of the Liverpool and Manchester bands. As Graham Nash implied, l don’t think The Hollies wanted to record a Beatles track at all, but it it looks like they were forced into it. I’ve seen Graham Nash a couple of times over the years ( with Stills and Crosby as well) and they tend to always do a Beatles’ song, when they are in Liverpool anyway!

I never heard The Hollies song “Can’t Let Go”… bout to go and listen to it for the first time now

The bottom line is that the press gave more attention to the so-called controversy than needed which benefited both groups.

The fact that George has to compete with Lennon and McCartney to get his song recorded, that in itself was probably a major factor why he was annoyed?

Hollies are my second fav band of all time next to The Beatles. This is very interesting but you have to remember they were all famous children in their 20’s. God bless any band trying to do anything around the Beatles reign. I will say that Hollies Evolution and Butterfly are two of my fav albums and Nash was responsible for both. I put them up there w some Beatles records. .Hollies are so underrated imo

Recorded in Steptoe's backyard! The consumers have spoken and when the dust settled, the Hollies version just didn't sell like their previous records. Maybe it's just me but I notice a division of groups that are all in on the Beatles and the rest that seem jealous and critical. The two sides are all bands from Merseyside vs the rest of England. Liverpool just isn't that big so maybe it's the familiarity they all had with each other as why they stick up for each other. In reality if it weren't for the Beatles and Beatlemania, there would be a whole lot of groups that never would have gotten a break or even be heard from again.

Graham's comment about how he won't be burning Beatles records feels a bit prophetic considering what happened in 1966!

Looks to me like the Hollies management were trying to get the jump on the Beatles album release with the single, hoping to ride on the coattails of the inevitable success. No surprise that George was pissed off.🕊☮

I'm rather impressed of the amount of people who hate the Hollies. I mean It's insane (I think I never read so many naughty/negative comments before on a band which personally it's in place 2nd to the Beatles) , like what would we must do to not keep them "underrated"(?.

I agree with George that The Hollies’ version sounds too slick, but he was too harsh about it, as both versions sound great. The Beatles’ version has more personality to it. However, The Byrds deserve some credit in this too, as The Beatles’ arrangement sounds VERY much like The Byrds take on ‘The Bells of Rhymney’

I don't remember that Hollies "comeback" song "I Can't Let Go". I just played it and it doesn't ring any bells in my memory, but I'm an American and the song only peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. Yet, it did climb to #2 in the UK. It's one of those kind of songs with a great disparity between the US and the UK in its charting. The Hollies did great on both songs. I did like "I Can't Let Go" very much! And they sounded very good on "If I Needed Someone", also. The Hollies were an extremely good band! It's a little known fact that the Hollies actually had more hit songs than the Beatles. Perhaps George is feeling threatened? Or maybe its even a case of sour grapes! But George wrote "If I Needed Someone", so it's probably a case of the writer being hyper-critical of anybody else doing their own song. The writer can usually put something unique in their own song that few others can put without sounding like copycats, or not genuine. It's impossible to compete with the composer doing their own song. And being released on the same day, well that's just not polite. It's not the "English way".

I don’t mind the hollies version. But George is right, it sounds like it was recorded in their garage. Anyway, George could have been more gracious towards fellow artists.

I like the Hollies version. It's got a garage rock feel to it. BTW I think the Everlys would have done a great job on this song.

You had the hits Hollies no doubt about it. Delia Morris

Beatles version sounds much better. I agree with what George although a little harsh lol!

Rubber Soul is a great album--all the more because it was written and recorded within a month in early autumn 1965. The band had to release an LP before Christmas/end of calendar year per their contract (2 x LP; 2 x singles annually). They were hurrying and the record shows it. "Wait" was left over from the Help sessions; Lennon pinched two lines from "Baby Let's Play House" to open and to propel "Run For Your Life"; for "If I Needed Someone" Harrison used the Byrds' "Bells Of Rhymney" riff--note-for-note; same meter...except for a major note substituting McGuinn's flatted--from the Mr. Tambourine Man album released the previous June. It's a blatant lift. Same guitar model, even. But Harrison inspired McGuinn's signature sound. And since "Bells Of Rhymney" lyric is a Welsh folk song, probably in the public domain, making a stink over a copped arrangement would be bad form. Regarding Rubber Soul: IMO it has one transcendent song ("Nowhere Man"), one great one ("Norwegian Wood"), and two excellent ones ("Drive My Car" and "I"m Looking Through You). The rest are good to varying degrees, with "Girl" and "In My Life" often swooned over for their sentimentality. "Michelle" and "What Goes On" are clunkers, I think. A pivotal pop record, for sure; almost any other group would have called it good and retired after its release. But it pales next to Revolver.

I have no problem with George expressing his harsh view of the song, nor do I have a problem with Graham answering him. I mean, last I looked, we are all allowed to express our views in these matters, I hope. One thing though, the Hollies had great harmony singing and the lads were excellent musicians, especially Tony Hicks on guitar and Bobby Elliott on drums. I think the Hollies have a whole lot of soul too. That said I prefer the Beatles version which has a deeper feeling at the core than the Hollies' cover. BTW never heard the song referred to as the "penultimate" song on Rubber Soul. That surely is debatable.