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The Hollies
English rock and pop band (1962–2026)
The Hollies were an English rock and pop band formed in Salford in 1962 by singer Allan Clarke and rhythm guitarist/singer Graham Nash. One of the most successful British bands of the 1960s and 1970s, their first stable line-up consisted of Clarke, Nash, lead guitarist Tony Hicks, bassist Eric Haydock, and drummer Don Rathbone.
Rathbone was replaced by Bobby Elliott in late 1963, while Haydock was replaced by Bernie Calvert in mid-1966. During the Hollies' early years, most of their original songs were written by the trio of Clarke/Hicks/Nash, until Nash left the group in late 1968 to co-form Crosby, Stills & Nash, and was replaced by Terry Sylvester.
Apart from a short time during late 1971 to early 1973, the Clarke/Hicks/Elliott/Calvert/Sylvester line-up remained in place until Calvert and Sylvester both departed in 1981. Over the next 23 years, the band underwent several more personnel changes, including a brief return of Nash during the 1980s and the final departure of Clarke in 2000, before stabilising in 2004 with their last line-up of Hicks, Elliott, singer Peter Howarth, rhythm guitarist Steve Lauri, bassist Ray Stiles, and keyboardist Ian Parker.
members: Pete Wingfield, Mikael Rickfors, Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Ian Parker, Carl Wayne, Paul Bliss, Denis Haines
formed in: Manchester
labels: Parlophone, Capitol Records, Epic Records
genres: rock music, beat music
awards: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
poppop rockrockpsychedelic popbeat musicsunshine pop
The Elsewhere GazetteExtra
Origin
The Hollies originated as a duo formed by Allan Clarke and Graham Nash, who were best friends from primary school and began performing together during the skiffle craze of the late 1950s. Eventually Clarke and Nash became a vocal-and-guitar duo modelled on American duo the Everly Brothers, working as "Ricky and Dane Young"; under this name they teamed up with a local band, the Fourtones, consisting of Pete Bocking on guitar, John 'Butch' Mepham on bass, Keith Bates on drums, and Derek Quinn on guitar. When Quinn quit to join Freddie and the Dreamers in 1962, Clarke and Nash also quit and joined another Manchester band, the Deltas, consisting of Vic Steele on lead guitar, Eric Haydock on bass guitar, and Don Rathbone on drums, which had...
The Hollies were an English pop group formed in Manchester in the early 1960s. Most of the band members were from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and early-1970s. They enjoyed considerable popularity in many countries, although they did not achieve major US chart success until 1966. The Hollies were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. On 20 August 2026, a statement was released by the band, announcing the band's retirement, stating that Hicks had stepped down from touring due to health reasons, and out of respect, Elliott had also decided to retire from touring.
Also known as: =, A Hollies Ltd. Production, Halies, Hellies, Holies
From Discogs (free to use). Their entry
Liner notes
The Hollies, the records, oldest first
In the Hollies Style
1964 album
Stay With the Hollies
1964 album
Hollies
1965 album
Would You Believe?
1966 album
For Certain Because…
1966 album
Bus Stop
1966 album
Butterfly
1967 album
Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse
1967 album
Evolution
1967 album
Hollies Sing Dylan
1969 album
Hollies Sing Hollies
1969 album
Confessions of the Mind
1970 album
Distant Light
1971 album
wanted
Romany
1972 album
Out on the Road
1973 album
Hollies
1974 album
Another Night
1975 album
Russian Roulette
1976 album
Write On
1976 album
A Crazy Steal
1978 album
Five Three One-Double Seven O Four
1979 album
Buddy Holly
1980 album
What Goes Around…
1983 album
Staying Power
2006 album
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (also titled "Long Cool Woman" or "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)") is a song written by Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway and performed by the British rock group the Hollies. In an interview with Johnnie Walker on BBC Radio 2 on Sounds of the 70s in April 2023, Clarke said it had been written by Cook and himself.
Cook had a long-standing agreement with Greenaway that any songs written by one of them should be credited to both.
Background and recording
On the day "Long Cool Woman" was recorded at AIR Studios, the group's producer, Ron Richards, was ill, and as a result, the song was produced by the group. "Long Cool Woman" is different from most other Hollies songs in that it has no three-part vocal harmonies. Allan Clarke's lead vocal is the only voice prominently heard. It also features lead guitar by Clarke. Upon his return, Richards mixed the recording.
Reception
U.S. music-business magazine Cash Box said of the song: "rockin' in the tradition of Creedence and T Rex, the Hollies at their most commercial since 'He Ain't Heavy.'"
