Hollies Fast Facts
1961: The group was formed by former school friends Allan Clarke and Graham Nash.
The group took it's name, paying homage to Buddy Holly.. as "The Hollies."
1963: EMI signs the band.
LATE 1963: The Hollies made their TV debut in the UK on "Scene at 6:30."
JAN 1964: The Hollies perform for the 1st time on BBC's "Top of the Pops."
MAR 1964: Their debut album, "Stay with the Hollies" hits UK charts at #2.
MAY 1964: "Just One Look" is the group's first US chart entry at #98.
APRIL 16-23 1965:
The Hollies make their first visit to the US, playing a week long engagement at the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn New York with among others, Little Richard. The also taped an appearance for the US music television show "Hullabaloo."
SEPT 1965: The Hollies embark on a US tour with The Yardbirds.
JULY 1966: "Bus Stop" hits the UK charts at #5.
NOV 1966: "Stop, Stop, Stop" written by the group, hits UK charts at #2.
JAN 1967: "Bus Stop" reaches #75 in the US.
JUNE 1967: Carrie-Anne a Clarke/Hicks/Nash tune, hits #3 in the UK.
This song took 2 years to complete.
JUNE 25th 1967: Nash is part of a small group of "by invitation only" people, who were asked to sing on The Beatles live TV recording of "All You Need Is Love."
OCT 1967: "King Midas in Reverse" chiefly written by Graham Nash, and released as a single against the advice of producer Richards (who felt that it's more experimental structure and lyric would alienate traditional Hollies fans.) It reaches #18 in the UK and #51 in the US.
DEC 1967: Nash meets Crosby for the first time, on a trip to Los Angeles; while attending a recording session of the Mamas and Papas.
JULY 1968: Hollies management announces that Nash is working on a solo record. He has grown unhappy with the group's musical direction since "King Midas" and speculation is already rife that he will leave.
OCT 1968: Nash, not in agreement with a Hick's proposed plan to record an album entirely of Bob Dylan songs, announces that he will leave the Hollies.
DEC 8 1968: Nash leaves The Hollies, after a charity concert at The London Palladium. He goes into rehearsals in London with David Crosby and Stephen Stills for their new trio project.
MARCH 1969: With Terry Sylvester replacing Graham Nash, the revised line-up
score a Top 3 hit with Sorry Suzanne
OCTOBER 1969: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, featuring Elton John on
piano, is one of the group's biggest global hits
EARLY 1971: Too Young To Be Married is a No. 1 hit in Australia & New
Zealand
AUTUMN 1971: Lead vocalist Allan Clarke leaves to pursue a solo career
JUNE 1972: One of Clarke's farewell recordings, Long Cool Woman In A Black
Dress, becomes their biggest ever US hit. Mikael Rickfors replaces him in
the Hollies' line-up.
LATE 1973: Allan Clarke returns to the fold to record the Hollies LP
FEBRUARY 1974: The Air That I Breathe is the group's best-selling UK single
for eight years, reaching No. 2
EARLY 1976: They record a best-selling live album at Christchurch Town Hall
in New Zealand
1979: Release of their critically acclaimed album of Buddy Holly covers
1982: The original Hollies line-up is reunited on BBC-TV's Top Of The Pops,
after which Graham Nash works on a reunion album with Allan Clarke, Bobby
Elliott and Tony Hicks
SEPTEMBER 1988: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother is reissued in Britain and
reaches No. 1, their first chart-topper since 1965
MARCH 1993: They celebrate their 30th anniversary with their 32nd hit
single, The Woman I Love
2003: Following Allan Clarke's retirement, Carl Wayne (ex-Move) leads the
group through their year-long 40th anniversary tour.
