Carl Wayne.

[anthony]

Carl Wayne took over from Allan Clarke as we all know after Allan left due to his failing voice sadly.

Was lucky enough to see Carl with the Hollies here in Australia in 2001, I remember seeing the first few songs and not seeing Allan up front as I had done

4 times previous it all seemed strange at first.

Then once he got into it, He and Tony had some great banter between them, it was the Hollies. A bit like a favourite footy team and the star player leaves, still the same team.

A real highlight came when they did a Move song, Flowers in the rain, jus brilliant.  Carl also payed tribute to Allan in his intro of He Ain't Heavy.

Carl was a great showman, sadly missed. He makes up part of the rich history known as the Hollies.

This is a sound check as you can see, I believe they filmed a concert, never saw the light of day, but then again that's common for the Hollies.

[Deleted]

I thought it strange that they didn't rush into the studio to cut an album with Carl (as they did as soon as Peter joined), it would've helped establish the new line-up.

[anthony]

Jun 7, 2019 7:35:17 GMT peterc said:

I thought it strange that they didn't rush into the studio to cut an album with Carl (as they did as soon as Peter joined), it would've helped establish the new line-up.

Its funny in the full clip he talks about recording new songs, said they have some really good songs. As we know the Hollies can be very slow to act then miss the chance.

[gee]

All I can add is heresay !

I was told by 'Carousel' people that supposedly they recorded a version of 'Bus Stop' with Carl, but there is NO record of any dates of recording or studio etc - if anyone knows anything about this please advise !


I believe they experienced a number of unlucky setbacks re projects plus the record company over time were not as enthused as they might have been (?)

next up they were supposedly going to do some new Roy Wood songs....again this if true it seems fell through

as later they were working with Mud's drummer Dave Mount on songs he had for them  tho' sadly his untimely death put paid to that

there were 'rumours' re an album of re-cuts of hits (if true I think I'm glad that never happened)

an album with Carl WAS apparently on the cards, however it seems there were problems on a business level possibly re percentages (?) and the record company - EMI I assume - it seems became less enthused as time dragged on...and sadly the project was shelved

I have been told that Ray Stiles it appears was particularly upset then as he was really itching to get back to recording again 'post Clarke'  (which probably explains the later liason with ex-Mud bandmate Rob Davis re 'Staying Power' which WAS recorded quite quickly by their later standards  and issued in 2006  after Peter Howarth came into the band in August 2004 )

some may be fast to point accusing fingers at The Hollies - some have even unkindly just  'assumed' that the group waited until Carl was gone before getting back to recording etc - but from what I was told it might NOT have been the band who were the biggest  problem

all I can add is I was told Ray and Carl had some kind of falling out  (?) if so that  Ray was very saddened that they never properly resolved any lingering 'issues' between them when Carl was suddenly gone

- IF true maybe that would be why Ray wanted to sing the concert tribute to Carl later ?

We should also bear in mind the possibility that Carl's developing health issues as time went on may have  played a key part here too as from what I gathered the band had no idea that  Carl was quite as seriously ill as he proved to be (he likely kept it to himself)

I think most of us assumed Carl's throat issues were the normal 'wear and tear' things singers get (Graham Nash needed a minor throat operation  in 1969) 

Tony told us at a concert I attended in 2007 how Carl had his operation and they all believed he was fine...then it came back with a vengeance...

whatever it was a great pity - as Bobby has said - that they never got to do an album with Carl

Carl on joining had said he was professionally determined to make The Hollies a successful recording band again so clearly there WAS some attitude to get back into the recording studio again circa 2000 when Carl surely was then in good health (?)

whatever all we got was that rather forgettable Paul Bliss song...

[anthony]

Hi Gee, you are really in the know, I had also heard about the fallout between Carl and Ray. I had also heard with Allan voice declining the shows were not as well attended and the Hollies were on the way out, Wayne arrived and kicked started the band. I wasn't there but have heard from reliable people this was the case. Maybe the band wasn't ready for someone to come in and rollup their sleeves and say lets get this show on the road. Pity his ideas for the band never happened. Think with Peter Howarth they didn't want to make the same mistake, they wanted to showcase his wonderful talent.

[madprofessorblyth]

As a super mega fan of both The Move and The Hollies, I listen to Carl at least dozens of times a day through various songs - an absolutely incredible talent who could master any genre he attempted (even an almost gospel sound on his solo RCA debut LP!). And from all I have ever seen and heard was a truly nice person and was extremely grateful and generous with his fans. I wish there was more concert footage of Carl with the Hollies (I'd love to see them tackle a couple Move hits, as I heard they did Flowers In The Rain and supposedly Blackberry Way?). The idea there is unreleased music of them with Carl - especially that re-done Bus Stop - really intrigues me and makes me hope they'll release it all down the line!

Then again, I have a list as long as the earth is round of rare things I want the Hollies to finally put out... Here's to hoping...

[anthony]

Jun 8, 2019 2:30:29 GMT madprofessorblyth said:

As a super mega fan of both The Move and The Hollies, I listen to Carl at least dozens of times a day through various songs - an absolutely incredible talent who could master any genre he attempted (even an almost gospel sound on his solo RCA debut LP!). And from all I have ever seen and heard was a truly nice person and was extremely grateful and generous with his fans. I wish there was more concert footage of Carl with the Hollies (I'd love to see them tackle a couple Move hits, as I heard they did Flowers In The Rain and supposedly Blackberry Way?). The idea there is unreleased music of them with Carl - especially that re-done Bus Stop - really intrigues me and makes me hope they'll release it all down the line!

Then again, I have a list as long as the earth is round of rare things I want the Hollies to finally put out... Here's to hoping...

They did do Blackberry Way. I remember he brought a lot of Move fans to the Hollies shows also, from people I know who met him said what a lovely man he was.

[johnt]

They also did I Can Hear The Grass Grow with Carl, a favourite Move song of mine. 

[gee]

I was told it was a rumour they re-cut 'Bus Stop' with Carl, I have no facts so if anyone knows anything more please advise

the idea I think was a CD single maybe of 'Bus Stop' to sort of introduce The Hollies with Carl which would have been a good idea

Earlier when I was with 'Carousel' a guy who sold records through it told me on the phone he was at a Hollies concert where Allan had to cry off due to his wife being unwell and John Miles stood in as guest lead vocalist - on most songs - with Tony, Alan, and Ray each doing lead vocals too

this record seller guy told me he was in the audience and went backstage - to see Carl Wayne was there and he got chatting with Carl

He told me Carl was a 'smashing guy' really friendly and happy to talk with him

Carl said The Hollies had invited him to guest as lead singer and while he was very tempted he felt John probably knew more Hollies song lyrics to do it ...tho' Carl admitted watching John Miles doing a great job he actually rather wished he had said yes to The Hollies as he realised he knew the songs alot more than he thought he did !

so Carl was already friendly with The Hollies before Allan Clarke retired hence being a guest at their concert and was clearly on Tony's radar even then...!

[gee]

Carl Wayne had a hell of a voice - hearing him live the sheer vocal power was really impressive as The Move classic hits he sang don't require Carl to use anything like his full lung power, where as his concert singing of Hollies hits was quite an eye opener

his vocal range was vast too as he could move up into falsetto range like Brian Wilson or Frankie Valli

Carl sang 'Hi Summer' theme from a TV holiday special show with comedian / compare Leslie Crowther written by Lyndsey de Paul in his falsetto vocal in a 'Beach Boys' style

Carl also appeared in the show

here is the single;



I recall a local TV news show interviewed Carl, the interviewer lady asked Carl how he sang in such a high range

'it's the tight pants !' Carl joked

[Stranger]

Another guy filled in a couple of times too. I used to have a video of him singing Yes I Will. He looked a bit like Marc Almond!

Does any recording of John Miles survive?

[gee]

Not as far as I am aware re John Miles

do you refer to Ian Harrison here ? - he stood in when Carl Wayne was ill for a summer festival at Clumber Park Notts 

Here I Go Again / Yes I Will

[anthony]

[albatros]

Hi all! I was at Stuttgart - Mercedes Benz's first concert with Carl Wayne in 2000. An absolutely successful evening with a very good Carl Wayne. Carl then sang the songs in the same style of Allan Clarke. Later, Carl introduced his own interpretation to the Hollies songs. That was unfortunately not so much to my liking. Carl had a power voice. That would have been enough too much more. Carl did a lot with Ulrich Eichblatt. There are some Maxi-CDs you can find. Also his version of the SOLDIERS SONG. What a pity that the Hollies did not record an album or more songs with him.

[dirtyfaz]

I saw The Hollies with Carl Wayne 13 time plus 3 soundchecks. His passing is missed. His stage persona was immense.
Can't compare to Peter Howarth who I have seen several times as well. He does an efficient job but I find his stage presence average.