Allan Clarke was one of the finest vocalists of that era. “The Air That I Breathe” and “He Ain’t Heavy” by the Hollies showcases one of the best voices in pop music history. Good on you, Clarkey for getting up there and doing it. You can be very proud of your vocal achievements over a fabulous career. What a voice.
In an interview he just did in Sept. 2020, the main reason he left was because his wife Jenni got cancer for the 2nd time and he wanted to spend as much time with her and the family as he could. As it turned out, she is still alive and happy but he also felt his range had changed and he wasn't able to reach the high notes as he'd done in the past. SO he thought for those reasons, it would be best to retire. I know how frustrating it is for me to sing and be shaking and unable to reach the high notes I used to reach. Ah, time changes us all, including grey hair and wrinkles. But I sure miss them even now. I'm glad a I was able to get a video recording on The British Invasion of all thier songs! A treasure I have.
Graham Nash is one of the most ingenious harmonists in music history. We don't throw away these guys just because they're past their prime - instead we marvel at the fact that they can still do it at all, and we graciously take what we can get. Grow up, you negative thinkers - they gave us all they had to give and still have to make a living.
As a young kid I was sitting at the counter of the Wimpey Bar in Hinckley Leicestershire when in walked the Hollies together with Shane Fenton and the Fentones. I was sat between Graham Nash and Alan Clarke and witnessed Bobby Elliott leaving the Fentones and joining the Hollies. Graham started to talk to me and that resulted in me being invited to go back stage later that night when they appeared at the Georges Ballroom. One of the best memories of my youth. I have been a fan ever since, and to see those two sharing a stage after all these years was great. how many of todays so called stars will still be performing when they are in their 70's. Very few is probably the answer.
It's on a smartphone that picks up the sound bouncing around. I've never met a bunch of a sarcastic generation ever. The Millennials are the worst on social media. Hate them. No respect. Rmbr little ones what goes around comes around. Big time.
@@seltaeb3302 millennials are the worst generation that I have ever encountered, they criticize, and bitch and moan about everything and anything, lazy useless group of people. They will be known as the generation that destroyed America.
The tightest harmonies.. right up until Crosby Stills and Nash melded their voices together and the ANGELS became jealous... Not before, not since that time have three voices joined as one sound like those did.
For those of you who say they're too old, or too out of tune--simply delete the video from your youtube act, and let the rest of us enjoy a sweet moment in time.
I dont watch vids like this expecting the singers to sound like they did 50 or more years ago. Its just touching to see them singing together again and recreating a great classic.
I've seen video of this concert where the audio is much better. They may not sound exactly like they did 50 years ago but they sounded much better than this.
Sallie Mullinger It’s funny how people age but they expect their hero’s to be just like they were 50 years ago. I wonder if Joe Namath can still play in the NFL
@@sharksport01 Some would call the bands they used to love, and maybe had posters and records of, their a hero or whatever you called your favourite artists or athletes
+covonthebox I met Allan in Person after A CSN gig in Manchester last September. Asked for a photo and told him how much his music meant to me and he said 'Yer that's what they all say, get on with it'. Cant decide weather he was having a bad day or was just an asshole but Graham on the other hand was amazing and very chatty.
+Bruce Wendell Couldn't believe someone who is out of the public eye so much would be so un-willing even to be nice to a fan, especially considering Graham was the one that introduced me to him.
Twice, he stepped away from his career to help his cancer-stricken wife. What a devoted hubby. She recovered and is now an artist, she did the beautiful sculpture of Allan on his recent album.
Loved the Hollies as a small boy in the 60's still think Alan Clark was one of Britain's best lead singers, a great guy, and a brilliant band , this was a pleasure seeing too old pals back together again
Every time these artists perform together could be the last. So every performance is potential history in the making. You never know when your time is up. Make each day count.
I loved Allan Clark's voice and I give him great credit for even singing at his age! Someday, we will all be aging, and all I can say ID, I only hope and pray that I can sing as good as he does now at his age! Great talent and I loved his 1993 video where he talked about his new album being released. Thank you Allan for all the great music and still some of my favorites! God bless you always!
I remember Graham Nash playing for a band called Ricki Shaw and the Dolphins! They were billed as from Burnley! The last time I saw them at Ingol Mission in Preston were they were on about every Month! That night they were going to Grimsby on the same bill as Joe Brown! Allan Clarke wasn’t the vocals then, it was Ricky Shaw! That would have been #1963!
@@davecroft8220 Nash never performed with the Dolphins. The line-up was Tony Hicks & Bobby Elliott and Bernie Culvert. The Hollies line-up at the time was: Clarke, Nash, Vic Steele (replaced by Hicks prior to their 1st hit), Eric Haydock (replaced by Culvert 1966), Don Rathbone (replaced by Elliott on the single 'Stay').
I was talking to Graham in 1984, suggested he and Allen should get together again for one appearance,song,or album he said that was a good idea. last I heard till now glad it happened great group Allen was soooo good
In the midst of all the psychedelia, revolution and counterculture reverie, hearing a British invasion era Hollies song was like a breath of fresh air. There was something very special about them; even today those songs stand out.
I think that it's a great sentimental journey back to a time when life was so so much more simple and music was MUCH better than the crap we have now. Thanks Alan, Graham, Tony, Bobby, Terry and Bernie for helping me enjoy and incredible 60's & 70's, you were one of the best, if not the best, certainly there is no one to touch "The Hollies" for harmony.
sabian53 association band did harmony well as it were I think what they called the six part harmony, but they just dont put out that kind of music anymore, has a total differant vibe today, though I still like some of the artists, the happy song is catchy, and that new one called this is my fight song by rachel platten or kelly clarkson.
Allan did really well here considering vocal chord problems had forced him to retire, and it's being played in the original key... Towards the end of his time leading The Hollies the key was lowered considerably, so it was a big ask here to sing it so high again.
Tony Hicks was a massive voice , his harmony with the others made the sound we all love as the Hollies ,as Alan Clarke and Graham Nash also did !! and don't forget our Bobby Elliot ... best drummer ever !!
I saw the Hollies in Gateshead on Friday and they were great. It gives me no pleasure to say it , but these three guys should pack it in. The were all once great but sadly not now.
Patrick Gorman I must add that The Hollies, the ones that stayed and the ones that are still performing, are still doing amazing with their voices. Tony Hicks still sings like a young boy. His voice hasn't changed at all... Sadly I cannot say the same about the mummies Nash and Clarke.
Seriously, I personally think that Tony Hicks should have took The Hollies' frontman role. Of course he can sing. He's the 3rd original harmony! No hate for Peter but I don't think he has the "spirit" to take Allan Clarke's place, I still can see a good performer in him... but never, never a FRONTMAN.
@@femaibenrigiel7958 Tony must have damn good genes.Certainly has a good attitude.. always positive never ever says anything negative in interviews. His voice guitar playing are amazing. And he looks great for 73. Still married to one only wife..45 years!
In the early sixties I was a member of a couple of charities that put on shows that raised money for different charities. One week we had the Hollies (this was before massive PA systems). I was amazed that they sounded live exactly like their records. So professional...
Both of those guys (especially Graham Nash) look REALLY happy to be "re-living" a great time for them 45 years ago. That's fun to watch in this video. If we're old enough to remember this great song, wouldn't we all like to do something like this again? I was in my first year of college at the time.
It would be cool to see Allan, Graham, Tony, Bobby and Bernie (if he can be coaxed out of retirement) get together and play a set with the Butterfly album accompanied with an orchestra.
About 30 years ago I worked with Allan Clarke's son Tim, who would've been born just about as the Hollies started charting. He rarely talked about his dad's career (I met Allan several times too, and both father and son were really 'down to earth', not at all 'showy' about his celebrity), but one time we were talking about it he told me "...and then Graham Nash left to form Crosby, Stills and Nash and became a megastar", and I thought "Tim, there's something you should know about your dad". I was a bit disappointed on his dad's behalf that he was so blase about his achievements, but then realised it's a testament to how he'd followed Graham's advice and taught his children well.
They were a very prominent British group during the Beatles heyday. They got their name from Buddy Holly. Nash left the Hollies because he felt they weren't moving ahead musically and they didn't want to record any of his newly written songs. So he left and founded CSN... and the rest they say, is history...
Thank you so much for this post... exquisite artists; Allan Clarke has really been a top performer of his era. Reminds of so many glorious moments. Great to see him with top-notch, accomplished musicians
I think a little bit of Allan Clarke died when Graham left the Hollies to join CSN. Not only did he lose his best friend since childhood, he lost his musical soulmate. I know why Graham had to do it, but it hurt him deeply as well.
Allan had one of the best voices during the heydays of the Hollies - and this old geezer still looks smokin' hot to me! Thank you so much for posting this video!
Has anyone watched the Noel Edmonds show from years ago where a man was a huge fan of the Hollies and Noel came to his house to surprise him, he’d put a jukebox in his sitting room and asked what song he’d like played, he chose “He ain’t heavy”, then they went to his back garden and all the hollies were there in his garden singing it. Brought some tears to my eyes at the time. I think the clip is on here somewhere. It’s very touching
Thank you so much for telling me about this video. I saw the original Noel Edmonds surprise visit, and then I saw it again on the compilation Noel Edmonds revisits Christmas 95, with an updated interview featuring the Hollies fan. The Hollies singing "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", made me tear up a bit. Beautiful and incredible on many levels. Thanks again. 😊 🎶💙🎶
***** They sounded great to me. Graham's voice is a little overpowering over Alan's but you can clearly see they are having a blast. They deserve it. I'd still pay to see them!
He has my respect. Took a lot of nerve to get up there. I think we can hear Graham more is that he's probably helping Allan through this. God Bless Allan. You gave us great songs in the 60s.
Fantastic that someone captured this and posted it. Great to see Alan having fun with Graham Nash after all these years even if his voice is poor after problems with his throat. Great song too, written by Graham Gouldman .. bass player from 10cc. He wrote a lot of hits of the 60's. Look through any window being another Hollies hit written by him.
nonsense, I watch Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliot who were the best musicians in the group. Clark has a wonderful voice but Nash had more charisma when he was in the Hollies and did most of the talking between songs.
@@rrdream2400 You almost never hear anyone bring up Tony Hicks when the topic of "best" guitarists comes up but how many were actually better? This guy could flat out play. Great instinctive licks. Clear and concise. Innovative. I love watching him on guitar. Bobby Elliot too. Also undervalued as a drummer. The Hollies were a conglomerate that fed off each other. Yes, Allan Clarke was the front man but the band wouldn't have been the same without ALL of them equally pitching in.
My dad is a fan of the Hollies and about the same age as Allan Clarke, consequently I grew up as a fan. took my dad to see Hollies play at the Lowry last year, sadly Alan had already retired, but the memory will live on. Was such a special night ❤
All right, I've been seeing CSN (and sometimes Y) since the Daylight Again tour when I was in high school, and they never performed a Hollies or Byrds song in my presence! I'm so jealous! These guys can still sing Bus Stop! Unreal! Thanks for posting.
Alan Clark and Nash sing the bus stop the British UK invasion in special occasion is very surprising to see them together very emotional to see again Alan Clark after years Alan very special person and artists great voice always Alan very professional and dedicated I love it
First band I ever saw, big band Robarts Sports Arena Sarasota, FL not too many people there that night, big dance nearby. They came out and said, "did you all come in the same taxi?" I'd never seen a real professional band before they were it
