U.K’s legendary group The Hollies have been responsible for a remarkably varied and intriguing catalogue of music. What’s more, this is one of the very few bands who have retained their status, dignity and cool – never descending to the revival package circuit, yet still regularly selling out major venues all over the world in their own right. The live performances is The Hollies pure and simple – or complex and sophisticated – as the mood takes them. Wistful vocal harmonies or sheer raw musical power – each song is spectactacularly showcased by its own brilliant light show. On stage, their five decades of music is as always driven by Bobby Elliott’s powerful drumming and punctuated by Tony Hick’s incisive narrative – the inside story on how The Hollies classic recordings were created, occasionally seasoned with the odd morsel of backstage gossip. The Hollies pioneered the use of the three-way vocal harmony in Pop Music.
The innovative Pop or hard-edged Rock – through to their Power Anthems – The Hollies do it all – and they do it with style and panache. The Hollies appeared on the BBC’s first “Top of the Pops” on New Years Day 1964, along with The Stones, Dusty Springfield and The Beatles. Unusual instrumentation was often used during the production of their records – including tubular bells, a celesta, glockenspiel and bagpipes. “Carrie Anne” is the first hit record to feature real steel drums.
Cast aside any prejudices that you may have about Rock‘n’Pop being the domain of youngsters, The Hollies still hack it in a major way. Their 60’s hits have included “We’re Through”, “I’m Alive”, “I Can’t Let Go”, “Bus Stop”, “Stop Stop Stop”, “Carrie Anne”, and many others. The hits kept coming under this new line up, including signature songs “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and “I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top”. Even after founding member Allan Clarke left the group in 1971 (he would return in 1973), The Hollies enjoyed another major hit with “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”. It was also No. I in the American Billboard charts. “The Air That I Breathe” was a major hit in 1974, reaching No. 2 in the UK charts.
In celebration of their five decades of success, The Hollies will be touring Australia in February 2013, proudly presented by ATA AllStar Artists. To witness originals – guitarist and vocalist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott with Peter Howarth, Ray Stiles, Steve Lauri and Ian Parker – the live performance is pure Hollies: trademark harmonies coupled with sheer musical prowess – their anthems promises to bring the concerts to a crescendo and well-deserved recognition – winning over new generations of fans.
“The Hollies created some of the greatest songs of our time”
The Hollies 2013 Australian Tour
Sydney State Theatre Monday Thursday 7th February 2013
Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 www.ticketmaster.com.au
Brisbane QPAC Concert Hall Friday 8th February 2013
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au 136 246
Melbourne Arts Centre, Hamer Hall Saturday 9th February 2013
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
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