List of the Hollies members

The Hollies in 1965 (top), 2006 (middle) and 2017 (bottom).

The Hollies are an English pop/rock band from Manchester. Formed in December 1962, the group originally included vocalist Allan Clarke, lead guitarist Vic Steele, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Graham Nash, bassist Eric Haydock and drummer Don Rathbone. The band has since been through numerous lineup changes, and currently includes lead guitarist and vocalist Tony Hicks, drummer Bobby Elliott (both since 1963), bassist and vocalist Ray Stiles (from 1986 to 1990, and since 1991), keyboardist Ian Parker (since 1991), lead vocalist and guitarist Peter Howarth, and guitarist and vocalist Steve Lauri (both since 2004).

History

1962–1981

The Hollies were formed in autumn 1962 by childhood friends Allan Clarke (lead vocals, harmonica) and Graham Nash (rhythm guitar, vocals), who enlisted lead guitarist Vic Steele, bassist Eric Haydock and drummer Don Rathbone for the original lineup. In February 1963, Steele decided he did not want to be a professional musician and left the band, who replaced him with Tony Hicks from Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins. After the group released their first two singles – "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" and "Searchin'" – Rathbone was replaced in August by another Dolphins member, Bobby Elliott. The lineup of Clarke, Nash, Hicks, Haydock and Elliott remained stable for almost three years, releasing Stay with The Hollies and In The Hollies Style in 1964, Hollies in 1965 and Would You Believe? in 1966.

In early 1966, Haydock refused to attend recording sessions due to a dispute with the band's management over earnings. He was replaced in July by Bernie Calvert, another former bandmate of Hicks and Elliott, who had earlier filled in for Haydock on a European tour and the recording of "Bus Stop". After a string of successful releases, Nash left The Hollies on 7 December 1968 to relocate to Los Angeles, California, and form Crosby, Stills & Nash with former Byrds member David Crosby and former Buffalo Springfield member Stephen Stills. Terry Sylvester left the Swinging Blue Jeans to take Nash's place the following month. Clarke remained until November 1971, when he was replaced by Swedish singer Mikael Rickfors after leaving to pursue a solo career. Clarke returned in June 1973 as lead vocalist.

Beginning in 1974, The Hollies toured with a sixth member on keyboards. First in the role was prolific session contributor Pete Wingfield, who remained a member of the touring lineup for three years. He also contributed to the albums Hollies, Write On, A Crazy Steal and Five Three One - Double Seven O Four. Later touring keyboardists included Paul Bliss, and Hans-Peter Arnesen, who recorded parts for A Crazy Steal and more.

1981–2000

In May 1981, both Calvert and Sylvester left the Hollies after the group began working with new producer Bruce Welch, rhythm guitarist of the Shadows. Speaking about the event, Calvert noted he was omitted from a recording session by Welch, after which he decided to leave following a phone call from Sylvester, who informed him of his intention to quit. Sylvester has recalled that he made his decision after an argument within the band, caused by a vote to stop working with long-time manager Robin Britten, with which he disagreed. Sylvester left first, with Calvert following a few days later. Clarke, Hicks and Elliott continued recording with a number of session musicians, including keyboardist Brian Chatton on their next single "Take My Love and Run", and bassist Alan Jones on its B-side "Driver".

The remaining Hollies reunited with original members Graham Nash and Eric Haydock in September 1981 for an appearance on Top of the Pops promoting "Holliedaze". The following month, it was confirmed that Nash would remain with the group for a new studio album. Recording for What Goes Around... began in March the next year, wrapping up by February 1983. The four-piece lineup toured in promotion of the album, with guitarist Alan Coates, bassist Steve Stroud, and keyboardists Bliss and Arnesen joining them for the performances. After the conclusion of the tour, Nash left, Coates and Stroud were made permanent members, and Denis Haines joined on keyboards. The new lineup released their first single, "Too Many Hearts Get Broken", on Columbia Records in May 1985.

Ray Stiles replaced Stroud in the spring of 1986, debuting with the band in June. The following year saw the release of "This Is It" and "Reunion of the Hearts", and in 1988 the band registered on the German charts with "Stand by Me" and "Shine Silently". Stroud returned alongside new keyboardist Dave Carey in 1990 for a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain", although by the next year the pair had been replaced by Stiles and Ian Parker, respectively. The lineup remained constant throughout the 1990s, releasing "The Woman I Love" and "Nothing Else But Love" in 1993, recording a new version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" with the cast of Coronation Street in 1995, and contributing a recording of "Peggy Sue Got Married" to Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly) in 1996.

2000 onwards

Allan Clarke left The Hollies in March 2000, after retiring from touring at the end of the previous year, leaving Hicks and Elliott the only 'classic lineup' members remaining. He was replaced by Carl Wayne, former frontman of the Move. Wayne's only recording with the band was "How Do I Survive", which was released on the 2003 compilation album Greatest Hits, before he died on 31 August 2004 of oesophageal cancer. According to the band's official website, "It was Carl's wish for The Hollies Autumn Tour to go ahead"; accordingly, Peter Howarth took his place. Coates chose to leave The Hollies shortly after Wayne's death, with Steve Lauri brought in as his replacement. The band has since released two new studio albums: Staying Power in 2006 and Then, Now, Always in 2009.

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Tony Hicks	1963-present	lead guitar banjo mandolin sitar backing vocals	all Hollies releases to date
	Bobby Elliott		drums percussion	all Hollies releases from "Stay" (1963) onwards
	Ray Stiles	1986–1990 1991–present	bass backing vocals	all Hollies singles from "This Is It" (1987) to "Baby Come Back" (1989) "The Woman I Love" (1993) "Nothing Else But Love" (1993) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1995) (with the Coronation Street cast) "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1996) (with Buddy Holly) "How Do I Survive" (2003) all releases from Staying Power (2006) onwards
	Ian Parker	1991–present	keyboards backing vocals	"The Woman I Love" (1993) "Nothing Else But Love" (1993) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1995) "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1996) "How Do I Survive" (2003) all releases from Staying Power (2006) onwards
	Peter Howarth	2004–present	lead vocals acoustic guitar	all Hollies releases from Staying Power (2006) onwards
	Steve Lauri		rhythm guitar backing vocals

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Allan Clarke	1962–1971 1973–2000	lead vocals harmonica rhythm guitar	all Hollies releases from "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" (1963) to Distant Light (1971), and from "The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee" (1973) to "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1996) also including: Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress (1972)
	Graham Nash	1962–1968 1981–1983	rhythm guitar backing and additional lead vocals	all Hollies releases from "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" (1963) to "Listen to Me" (1968) "Wings" (1969) What Goes Around... (1983) "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1996)
	Eric Haydock	1962–1966 (died 2019)	bass	all Hollies releases from "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" (1963) to Would You Believe? (1966) For Certain Because (1966) – "Don't Even Think About Changing" only
	Don Rathbone	1962–1963	drums	"(Ain't That) Just Like Me" (1963) "Searchin'" (1963) "Stay" (1963) – B-side "Now's the Time" only Stay with The Hollies (1964) – "Little Lover" only Just One Look (1964) – "Talkin' 'Bout You" only
	Vic Steele		lead guitar	none
	Bernie Calvert	1966–1981	bass keyboards	"Bus Stop" (1966) all Hollies releases from For Certain Because (1966) to "Holliedaze" (1981)
	Terry Sylvester	1969–1981	rhythm guitar backing and additional lead vocals	all Hollies releases from "Sorry Suzanne" (1969) to "Holliedaze" (1981), except "Wings" (1969)
	Mikael Rickfors	1971–1973	lead vocals harmonica rhythm guitar	"The Baby" (1972) Romany (1972) "Magic Woman Touch" (1972) Out on the Road (1973)
	Alan Coates	1983–2004 (touring 1981–83)	rhythm guitar backing vocals	all Hollies singles from "Too Many Hearts Get Broken" (1985) to "The Woman I Love" (1993) "Nothing Else But Love" (1993) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1995) "Peggy Sue Got Married" (1996) "How Do I Survive" (2003)
	Steve Stroud	1983–1986 1990–1991 (touring 1981–83)	bass	"Too Many Hearts Get Broken" (1985) "This Is It" (1987) – B-sides only "Purple Rain" (1990)
	Denis Haines	1983–1990	keyboards	all Hollies singles from "Too Many Hearts Get Broken" (1985) to "Baby Come Back" (1989)
	Dave Carey	1990–1991		"Purple Rain" (1990)
	Carl Wayne	2000–2004 (until his death)	lead vocals	"How Do I Survive" (2003)

Touring

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Pete Wingfield	1974–1977	keyboards synthesizers	Wingfield began touring with The Hollies after the release of their 1974 self-titled album, remaining until 1977.
	Paul Bliss	1979 1982-1983 1991		Bliss performed keyboards on a number of Hollies tours, as well as contributing to several studio albums.
	Hans-Peter Arnesen	1979 1982–1983		Arnesen recorded for several albums and performed on multiple tours alongside Wingfield and Bliss.
	Jamie Moses	1983 1986	rhythm guitar backing vocals	Moses temporarily replaced Coates during shows in New Zealand in 1983, and later in Europe in 1986.
	John Miles	1999 (died 2021)	lead vocals	Miles replaced Clarke, who was unavailable due to a family illness, for a run of three shows in March 1999.
	Ian Harrison	2003 2004		Harrison replaced Wayne for one show on 24 January 2003, and again for another on 21 August 2004.

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Albums and EPs	Singles and B-sides
December 1962 – February 1963	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Vic Steele – lead guitar Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals Eric Haydock – bass Don Rathbone – drums	none
February – August 1963	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals Eric Haydock – bass Don Rathbone – drums	Stay with The Hollies (1964) – one track only Just One Look (1964) – one track only	"(Ain't That) Just Like Me" (1963) "Searchin'" (1963) "Now's the Time" (1963) ("Stay" B-side)
August 1963 – July 1966	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals Eric Haydock – bass Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	Stay with The Hollies (1964) Just One Look (1964) In The Hollies Style (1964) Hollies (1965) I'm Alive (1965) Would You Believe? (1966) For Certain Because (1966) – one track only	"Stay" (1963) "Just One Look" (1964) "Here I Go Again" (1964) The Hollies (1964) "We're Through" (1964) "Yes I Will" (1965) "I'm Alive" (1965) "Look Through Any Window" (1965) "If I Needed Someone" (1965) "I Can't Let Go" (1966)
July 1966 – December 1968	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	For Certain Because (1966) Evolution (1967) Butterfly (1967)	"Bus Stop" (1966) "Stop Stop Stop" (1966) "On a Carousel" (1967) "Carrie Anne" (1967) "King Midas in Reverse" (1967) "Jennifer Eccles" (1967) "Blowin' in the Wind" (1967) "Listen to Me" (1968)
January 1969 – November 1971	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Terry Sylvester – rhythm guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	Hollies Sing Dylan (1969) Hollies Sing Hollies (1969) Confessions of the Mind (1970) Distant Light (1971)	"Sorry Suzanne" (1969) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1969) "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" (1970) "Gasoline Alley Bred" (1970) "Hey Willy" (1971)
November 1971 – June 1973	Mikael Rickfors – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Terry Sylvester – rhythm guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	Romany (1972) Out on the Road (1973)	"The Baby" (1972) "Magic Woman Touch" (1972 "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (1972) * * Featuring: Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar
June 1973 – August 1978	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Terry Sylvester – rhythm guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	Hollies (1974) Another Night (1975) Write On (1976) Russian Roulette (1976) Live Hits (1977) A Crazy Steal (1978)	"The Day that Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee" (1973) "The Air That I Breathe" (1974) "Son of a Rotten Gambler" (1974) "I'm Down" (1974) "Boulder to Birmingham" (1976) "Daddy Don't Mind" (1976) "Hello to Romance" (1977)
August – September 1978	Terry Sylvester – vocals, rhythm guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	5317704 (1979) – one track only	none
September 1978 – May 1981	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Terry Sylvester – rhythm guitar, vocals Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Bernie Calvert – bass, keyboards Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	5317704 (1979) Buddy Holly (1980)	"Soldier's Song" (1980) "Holliedaze" (1981)
May – September 1981	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	none	"Take My Love and Run" (1981) (with session member Brian Chatton)
October 1981 – October 1983	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Graham Nash – rhythm guitar, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion	What Goes Around... (1983)	"Musical Pictures" (1983) ("Stop in the Name of Love" B-side)
Late 1983 – spring 1986	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Steve Stroud – bass Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Denis Haines – keyboards	none	"Too Many Hearts Get Broken" (1985) "You Gave Me Strength" (1987) ("This Is It" B-side)
Spring 1986 – early 1990	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Ray Stiles – bass, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Denis Haines – keyboards		"This Is It" (1987) "Reunion of the Heart" (1987) "Stand by Me" (1988) "Shine Silently" (1988) "Find Me a Family" (1989) "Baby Come Back" (1989)
Early 1990 – September 1991	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Steve Stroud – bass Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Dave Carey – keyboards		"Purple Rain" (1990)
September 1991 – March 2000	Allan Clarke – vocals, harmonica, guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Ray Stiles – bass, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Ian Parker – keyboards	30th Anniversary Collection: 1963–1993 (1993) (new song "Nothing Else But Love")	"The Woman I Love" (1993)
March 2000 – August 2004	Carl Wayne – vocals Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Ray Stiles – bass, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Ian Parker – keyboards	Greatest Hits (2003) (new song "How Do I Survive")	none
September – October 2004	Peter Howarth – vocals, acoustic guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Alan Coates – rhythm guitar, vocals Ray Stiles – bass, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Ian Parker – keyboards	none
October 2004 – present	Peter Howarth – vocals, acoustic guitar Tony Hicks – lead guitar, vocals Steve Lauri – rhythm guitar, vocals Ray Stiles – bass, vocals Bobby Elliott – drums, percussion Ian Parker – keyboards	Staying Power (2006) Then, Now, Always (2009) Live Hits! We Got the Tunes (2013) 50 at Fifty (2014) (new song "Skylarks")	none

External links

• Official website