Bernie Calvert

Bernie Calvert
Birth name	Bernard Bamford Calvert
Born	(1942-09-16) 16 September 1942 Brierfield, England
Genres	Rock, pop
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Bass guitar Keyboard
Years active	1960s–present

Bernard Bamford Calvert (born 16 September 1942) is an English musician who played bass guitar and keyboards with The Hollies from 1966 until 1981.

Career

He worked with several rock and roll groups during the early 1960s, most notably Rickie Shaw and the Dolphins, where he worked with future Hollies members, Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott. Originally a pianist, Calvert, on Hicks's suggestion, switched to bass.

After the break-up of the Dolphins, Calvert played in a number of semi-professional outfits. However, unable to advance his musical career, Calvert took a factory job until he was asked to substitute for Hollies' then bassist, Eric Haydock, in a tour of Scandinavia. After the tour, Calvert played on an Everly Brothers album, and on the Hollies' single, "Bus Stop", before returning to his factory job. Shortly after that, he was invited to join the Hollies permanently in 1966.

Calvert was friends with Mama Cass Elliot from The Mamas & the Papas.

Bass Guitars

Fender Precision When Calvert first joined The Hollies he used an early model of Fender Precision Bass that was still fitted with pickup and bridge covers. Calvert can be seen using this bass from 1966 to early 1967, resurfacing in 1969 on numerous recordings and live performances. It would remain in use until his departure in 1980.

Fender Jazz In 1968 Calvert moved to an early model of Fender Jazz Bass that still fitted with pickup and bridge covers. Calvert acquired this model of the electric bass in early-1967 and used it on songs such as "On a Carousel," "Carrie Anne," and "King Midas in Reverse."

Rickenbacker 4000 In the early 1970s Calvert acquired an early model Rickenbacker 4000, which was a single-pickup model that Calvert used throughout the 1970s in recording and performing. Though he would perform more often with the Precision, his Rickenbacker would be heard the most in 1970s recordings such as the Distant Light album. Calvert would use this bass until his departure from the band.

Honors

On 24 September 2009, the Hollies were nominated for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and on 18 December 2009 were announced as inductees, to be inducted on 15 March 2010. They were represented at the RRHOF ceremony by Clarke, Nash, Sylvester, Eric Haydock and Calvert. Although all of these members had left the band at various times, Bobby Elliott (drums) and Tony Hicks (guitar) kept the band going but were unable to attend because they had a prior booking. The two of them still lead the band, as of May 2020.

See also

• List of bass guitarists