Found this, by Rob Haywood, from the old 'official forum':
"Yes, John Miles stood in for Allan for three shows that I remember very well back in March, 1999.
I had the call one night that this was about to happen and that the words to the songs on the set list were needed. I spent many hours faxing and emailing them off to the people who needed them for the gig in Skegness the following night.
We all turned up early at Skegness and the band went in to a dressing room rehearsal as various words and arrangements were worked out.
John was the ultimate professional in every sense and soon began to really get to grips with the songs.
That night was filled with excitement and intrepidation as the band took to the stage. A music stand was used to give John some assistance with words as he rattled through the songs.
Tony, Alan Coates, Ray Stiles and Ian Parker all took more of a roll in the singing of some songs and even solos.
The gig at Skegness went down well and without too many hitches and the audience had a good night.
The next night it was on to Leicester where, after some more rehearsal time, the performance was slightly more relaxed and better.
For the third night it was Doncaster Dome and boy, what a night. This show was one of the highlights of the whole tour.
Now settled in and without the use of the music stand, John gave a magnificent performance and the band as a whole was on top form and enjoying every minute of it.
The Hollies were in a very difficult situation the night before a week of gigs and they took the most difficult and bravest of decisions not to cancel the shows.
I know many people have told me that they were glad that this decision had been taken at the time and that they thoroughly enjoyed the shows which are now another legendary point in The Hollies illustrious career."
