The Hollies’ influence on Australian musicians in the 1960's
Oct 15, 2016 5:48:03 GMT
thejanitor and peterc like this
Post by eric on Oct 15, 2016 5:48:03 GMT
From 1964 onwards, The Beatles were by far and away the most significant influence on Australian pop musicians.
During 1964-1966, other acts also influenced musical trends Down Under such as the early versions of The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Manfred Mann and The Kinks. These bands in particular “opened the door” to Blues music, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, etc. Other influences were the Motown and Soul artists, The Hollies, The Who and the Small Faces. The Yardbirds, with Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, also had an influence that was later enhanced by Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
With regard to The Hollies, it is important to note that they influenced a number of significant and internationally successful Aussie bands. These were the Bee Gees (they covered “Just One Look” in 1964), The Twilights, Zoot and Little River Band, all harmony bands. Each of these bands had members who enjoyed international success either through their band (Bee Gees & LRB), as a soloist (Zoot’s Rick Springfield) or as a songwriter for other artists (The Twilight’s lead guitarist Terry Britten).
Graeham Goble, a harmony singer and composer in LRB has recognised The Hollies as an early influence. His first band had 3 part harmonies similar to The Hollies. LRB, which had 6 Top 10 hits in the USA (the same as The Hollies), featured the three way harmonies of Goble, lead singer Glenn Shorrock and Beeb Birtles.
Shorrock was previously the lead singer of The Twilights, a band that covered The Hollies on 3 occasions. The Twilights took 2 album tracks, being “Come On Home” (from “In The Hollies Style”) and “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live” (from “For Certain Because”) for their 2nd and 8th singles and also the hit “Yes I Will” for their first LP.
In 1966 Birtles was in a band called “Down the Line” named after The Hollies’ track on their 3rd LP. Birtles later was in Zoot, a band that sang “Rain On The Window” (from “Evolution”) on local television.
When considering the merit of The Hollies’ influence on Australian artists during the Sixties, it is important to note the most successful artists of that decade in terms of Top 40 chart longevity.
Elvis Presley and The Beatles dominated the Adelaide, Australia, Top 40 charts for 733 weeks and 586 weeks respectfully during the Sixties. They were followed by other acts of influence being The Rolling Stones (256 weeks), The Animals/Eric Burdon & The Animals (199), The Hollies (180), Manfred Mann (174), The Who (147) The Kinks (141) and The Yardbirds (127).
Interestingly, the British bands that were not generally considered to be influential (but may have been in some quarters) had strong runs in the charts. These were The Shadows (268 weeks), Herman’s Hermits (250), The Dave Clark Five (177), Gerry & The Pacemakers (158), Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (127), The Troggs (124) and The Searchers (107).
Some British singers charted more strongly than the bands, such as Cliff Richard (379 weeks), Petula Clark (247), Tom Jones (239), Dusty Springfield (200), Donovan (155), Cilla Black (150) and Sandie Shaw (137). The following USA acts also enjoyed lengthy stays in the charts. Roy Orbison (387 weeks), Gene Pitney (315), Del Shannon (195), The Monkees (176), Nancy Sinatra (158), Peter, Paul & Mary (145) and The Beach Boys (111). Needless to say, many of these acts were influential.
For The Hollies to be grouped with such wonderful talent is an achievement in itself. However, to be able to stand out from the crowd and influence other musicians is something else. The Hollies, with their brilliant vocal and instrumental performances, were able to do this. They captured the hearts and imagination of Australian musicians and inspired them to pursue their love of music. As noted above, some went onto to become international stars. Others just carried on playing their music in pubs and clubs and at parties.
The Hollies should be very proud of having earned the respect and admiration of other musicians and for having influenced them along the way.
PS
The Easybeats (180 weeks), The Seekers (166), Normie Rowe (157), Bee Gees (152) and The Twilights (147) were the main Australian chart acts of the Sixties. George Young and Harry Vanda of The Easybeats went on to play pivotal roles in the development of many Aussie artists in the Seventies, including AC/DC.
During 1964-1966, other acts also influenced musical trends Down Under such as the early versions of The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Manfred Mann and The Kinks. These bands in particular “opened the door” to Blues music, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, etc. Other influences were the Motown and Soul artists, The Hollies, The Who and the Small Faces. The Yardbirds, with Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, also had an influence that was later enhanced by Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
With regard to The Hollies, it is important to note that they influenced a number of significant and internationally successful Aussie bands. These were the Bee Gees (they covered “Just One Look” in 1964), The Twilights, Zoot and Little River Band, all harmony bands. Each of these bands had members who enjoyed international success either through their band (Bee Gees & LRB), as a soloist (Zoot’s Rick Springfield) or as a songwriter for other artists (The Twilight’s lead guitarist Terry Britten).
Graeham Goble, a harmony singer and composer in LRB has recognised The Hollies as an early influence. His first band had 3 part harmonies similar to The Hollies. LRB, which had 6 Top 10 hits in the USA (the same as The Hollies), featured the three way harmonies of Goble, lead singer Glenn Shorrock and Beeb Birtles.
Shorrock was previously the lead singer of The Twilights, a band that covered The Hollies on 3 occasions. The Twilights took 2 album tracks, being “Come On Home” (from “In The Hollies Style”) and “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live” (from “For Certain Because”) for their 2nd and 8th singles and also the hit “Yes I Will” for their first LP.
In 1966 Birtles was in a band called “Down the Line” named after The Hollies’ track on their 3rd LP. Birtles later was in Zoot, a band that sang “Rain On The Window” (from “Evolution”) on local television.
When considering the merit of The Hollies’ influence on Australian artists during the Sixties, it is important to note the most successful artists of that decade in terms of Top 40 chart longevity.
Elvis Presley and The Beatles dominated the Adelaide, Australia, Top 40 charts for 733 weeks and 586 weeks respectfully during the Sixties. They were followed by other acts of influence being The Rolling Stones (256 weeks), The Animals/Eric Burdon & The Animals (199), The Hollies (180), Manfred Mann (174), The Who (147) The Kinks (141) and The Yardbirds (127).
Interestingly, the British bands that were not generally considered to be influential (but may have been in some quarters) had strong runs in the charts. These were The Shadows (268 weeks), Herman’s Hermits (250), The Dave Clark Five (177), Gerry & The Pacemakers (158), Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (127), The Troggs (124) and The Searchers (107).
Some British singers charted more strongly than the bands, such as Cliff Richard (379 weeks), Petula Clark (247), Tom Jones (239), Dusty Springfield (200), Donovan (155), Cilla Black (150) and Sandie Shaw (137). The following USA acts also enjoyed lengthy stays in the charts. Roy Orbison (387 weeks), Gene Pitney (315), Del Shannon (195), The Monkees (176), Nancy Sinatra (158), Peter, Paul & Mary (145) and The Beach Boys (111). Needless to say, many of these acts were influential.
For The Hollies to be grouped with such wonderful talent is an achievement in itself. However, to be able to stand out from the crowd and influence other musicians is something else. The Hollies, with their brilliant vocal and instrumental performances, were able to do this. They captured the hearts and imagination of Australian musicians and inspired them to pursue their love of music. As noted above, some went onto to become international stars. Others just carried on playing their music in pubs and clubs and at parties.
The Hollies should be very proud of having earned the respect and admiration of other musicians and for having influenced them along the way.
PS
The Easybeats (180 weeks), The Seekers (166), Normie Rowe (157), Bee Gees (152) and The Twilights (147) were the main Australian chart acts of the Sixties. George Young and Harry Vanda of The Easybeats went on to play pivotal roles in the development of many Aussie artists in the Seventies, including AC/DC.
