Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2014 9:16:15 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Tony Wilkinson on Nov 21, 2014 17:59:14 GMT
Looks distinctly dodgy, I'll leave it to someone else to investigate....................
|
|
|
|
Post by stuball on Nov 22, 2014 14:12:25 GMT
A bunch of Hollies wiki entries in booklet form? And they expect people to buy this?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 18:47:08 GMT
A bunch of Hollies wiki entries in booklet form? And they expect people to buy this? As no-one can be bothered to write a proper book on The Hollies, unfortunately this is all there is... |
|
|
|
Post by cameron on Nov 23, 2014 11:29:37 GMT
I've downloaded it; it's just a collection of Wikipedia articles which any big Hollies fan will know are not always accurate and miss out a lot of details. Sadly there are no books on the Hollies - they're not deemed "interesting" enough. I've always wanted to write one: The Hollies In Their Own Words, which does what it says on the tin. An autobiographical account of the Hollies' career. Sadly I wouldn't know how to go about it, let alone have the funding to do so. But I did study journalism and writing at college, so that would stand me in good standing to do it. I've heard that Terry Sylvester wants paying just to talk to him too... Some chap did publish a book with an apparent lengthy section of interviews with Allan, Graham and Tony in a recently published book: goodmusicguy.com/play-on-power-pop-heroes-volume-1-2/ but the cost of it for me was astronomical given that the interview would probably last 10-20 pages at best. I think it was £60-£70 by the time it was shipped. It came with a bunch of stuff I wasn't interested in too - much like these new-fangled CD box sets! And of course there's the Hollies' own 1964/5 book "How To Run A Beat Group" if you can find a copy... |
|
|
|
Post by stuball on Nov 23, 2014 17:24:24 GMT
I think it might be very difficult to secure a publisher for a book that would, let's face it, have trouble finding a market. Outside of Britain, Scandinavia and Australia/New Zealand, The Hollies, for all intents and purposes, disappeared from view 30 plus years ago. Even in those territories where the current group keeps a touring presence, I really wonder if the fan base would be sufficient to generate sufficient sales to make publication profitable.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2014 19:14:29 GMT
I think it might be very difficult to secure a publisher for a book that would, let's face it, have trouble finding a market. Outside of Britain, Scandinavia and Australia/New Zealand, The Hollies, for all intents and purposes, disappeared from view 30 plus years ago. Even in those territories where the current group keeps a touring presence, I really wonder if the fan base would be sufficient to generate sufficient sales to make publication profitable. And this is the attitude that prevents any potential book being written... "Profit" should be seen an as unexpected bonus, not a reason to write a book in the first place (and anyway self-publishing is always a possibility). |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2014 19:18:22 GMT
I've always wanted to write one: The Hollies In Their Own Words, which does what it says on the tin. An autobiographical account of the Hollies' career. Go for it! Seriously. You wouldn't even need new interviews, as there's plenty out there on video, on audio & in print (and who knows, once they know you're serious it's possible that Eric, Mikael, Terry, etc would want to add their side of the story). I'm sure fans on here and elsewhere will also be willing to help. It's a shame that Bobby didn't come up with something for the 50th anniversary (a glossy book of old photos and memorabilia would've been lovely), ditto Dave Clark to tie in with the recent 2 hour documentary / DVD. With 50s Rock & Roll artists there's LOTS of books on pretty much everyone (I can think of at least 8 on Jerry Lee Lewis and 5 on Chuck Berry), but apart from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Who, The Kinks and 1 or 2 others, 60s groups are largely ignored. None are more deserving than The Hollies and The Dave Clark Five imo. |
|
|
|
Post by Gralto on Nov 24, 2014 9:24:52 GMT
Well funny you should ask about this. There are plans in place at present for a Hollies book to be written and published next year (and no, it's not from me - I won't have my planned reference book on them finished by then - no chance). It's to be written by a published English author who has known the band for many years. Some interviews have already taken place so this is definitely in process. I'll hopefully have more news on this shortly. Let's not forget that there IS a book on The Hollies out there - it's just that it's written in Spanish! (and no, it was never translated into English) www.casadellibro.com/libro-the-hollies-con-estilo-propio/9788497431118/957140cheers Simon |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 9:58:37 GMT
Well funny you should ask about this. There are plans in place at present for a Hollies book to be written and published next year (and no, it's not from me - I won't have my planned reference book on them finished by then - no chance). It's to be written by a published English author who has known the band for many years. Some interviews have already taken place so this is definitely in process. Fantastic news!  Yes, I'm aware of that super obscure Spanish book. |
|
|
|
Post by Stranger on Nov 24, 2014 12:52:39 GMT
I read the Spanish book, it's basically all very commonly available information elaborated upon. Nothing new.
|
|
|
|
Post by cameron on Nov 24, 2014 14:09:56 GMT
I thought of that, I've got plenty of old books and audio interviews, but referencing it all would be an absolute nightmare. Glad to know there's something in the pipeline. I don't think anything any fan could write from old interviews would be particularly of note as presumably no real new information would present itself, unless it was from a long forgotten interview or an interview someone never caught in the first place. Be sure to let us know any details on the book as and when you get them Simon! |
|
|
|
Post by JamesT on Nov 24, 2014 20:03:19 GMT
Bobby's supposed to have been writing something years ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gralto on Nov 25, 2014 0:01:10 GMT
Yes James. We've heard of Clarke doing the same and Sylvester of course threatening a tell-all. It's easy to say "I'm writing a book" - I put myself in this category too, frankly - but getting the thing completed and published is another matter.
When in London in 2013, I popped in for a quick chat to a well known English publishing house specialising in music releases just to get some feedback as to how interested they might be. I was told that there wasn't really much of a story there. I rattled off 4-5 brief interesting tales and the rep with whom I spoke started to change his mind.
The main problem historically has been the band's lack of identity, collectively and individually. That's the way the main members have always liked it and will be ever thus. As we know, there are many, many interesting untold stories - there has to be when you are talking about a company with a 50 year+ history and 30 plus employees over the years - but the general perception, even to music nuts, is that The Hollies have a very 'vanilla' history. This is simply not true to those of us who have delved deeper.
I would be very surprised if any book on The Hollies makes its author any money whatsoever unless the dirt starts getting dished up by the shovel full. The problem there is that people get hurt and friendships/contacts get broken forever. Some bands could take it - the Rolling Stones immediately come to mind but they are comfortable with their legend filled with tales of the good, the bad and the truly ugly (read Tony Sanchez's book - The Ups and Downs with The Rolling Stones - you won't look at Keith again in the same light...)- but for The Hollies, a salacious tell-all might be too great a shock for those participants. Graham Nash could handle any mud that stuck but I'm not so sure about the others.
That said, any biography on The Hollies MUST include some of the details of their legal battles if it's going to take its subject seriously. The fact that Hollies Ltd took Eric Haydock to the British High Court of Justice in 2005 and asked that he be jailed, surely warrants a chapter. The Hall of Fame induction fiasco another. These are tales which will help sell a book, have been publicly reported and cast light on what members of the band are really about.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 10:57:57 GMT
The Rolling Stones certainly seem able to overcome any grudges far easier than The Hollies, The Beatles & most other groups. Even I was surprised that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards made up again after Keith's book...
Of course, a book on The Hollies doesn't have to be a biography. A book concentrating purely on their record releases (background, in depth reviews, alternate artwork, etc) would be fabulous.
Let's also remember that such books don't have to just be aimed at just the die-hard fans, but just general fans / collectors of 60s / 70s music. If (say) someone wrote a half-decent book on The Searchers or The Troggs then I'd go out and buy it. This doesn't mean that I'm familier with every record release, much less any published interviews or press cuttings.
|
|
|
|
Post by cameron on Nov 25, 2014 11:56:40 GMT
Never knew that the Hollies Ltd. called for Eric Haydock to be jailed! I'm assuming that was over his mis-use of the Hollies' name for his own tribute band.
Good point Peter, an in-depth discography would be nice or even a pictorial book showing the different alternate releases worldwide would be nice. There's some great interesting album artwork out there. Similar style to those "1001 Album Covers" or "1001 Records You Must Hear Before You Die" books.
There's plenty of anecdotes about their album releases that have never been noted, such as who played what on the LP: Bernie playing keyboards or Elton John, unusual instruments like the Harmonium played by Graham on "Dear Eloise", Tony or Mikael Rickfors playing lead guitar, Tony and Terry subbing for Bernie when he was ill for the sessions for "Distant Light", Bobby being replaced by Clem Cattini and Mitch Mitchell for the "Evolution" sessions due to illness.... plenty to be cleared up there.
There's also the subject of live dates - the Hollies have played all over the world and I bet there's some interesting stories to tell there too!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnt on Nov 25, 2014 14:39:17 GMT
If (say) someone wrote a half-decent book on The Searchers or The Troggs then I'd go out and buy it. This doesn't mean that I'm familier with every record release, much less any published interviews or press cuttings. Are you aware of this one by Frank Allen of The Searchers, who replaced Tony Jackson back in 1964. It's well worth a read. www.the-searchers.co.uk/thesearchersandme/ |
|
|
|
Post by stuball on Nov 25, 2014 14:48:48 GMT
I remember seeing a portion of that court document re Haydock online. What struck me was seeing The Hollies proper names. A fella could almost be forgiven for not recognizing those names as Hollies.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 17:47:27 GMT
If (say) someone wrote a half-decent book on The Searchers or The Troggs then I'd go out and buy it. This doesn't mean that I'm familier with every record release, much less any published interviews or press cuttings. Are you aware of this one by Frank Allen of The Searchers, who replaced Tony Jackson back in 1964. It's well worth a read. www.the-searchers.co.uk/thesearchersandme/Yes I'm aware of that John, a very good book. Of course this is only the viewpoint of one member though (and one who wasn't there during their initial chart success). |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 17:53:12 GMT
I remember seeing a portion of that court document re Haydock online. What struck me was seeing The Hollies proper names. A fella could almost be forgiven for not recognizing those names as Hollies. Was this just the current Hollies (ie Tony and Bobby), or past members too? Obviously (if he was involved) Allan didn't let this prevent him from sharing the induction stage with Eric later. Regarding possible book(s), I do hope they also interview the "unknown" band members. Alan Coates for example was in the band longer than Graham, Terry and Bernie, and witnessed amongst other things the reunion tour with Graham, the reissued chart success of "Heavy", the vocal decline of Allan, and the joining (& subsequent death) of Carl. Lots of important things to The Hollies story. |
|
|
|
Post by JamesT on Nov 26, 2014 19:37:19 GMT
If (say) someone wrote a half-decent book on The Searchers or The Troggs then I'd go out and buy it. This doesn't mean that I'm familier with every record release, much less any published interviews or press cuttings. Are you aware of this one by Frank Allen of The Searchers, who replaced Tony Jackson back in 1964. It's well worth a read. www.the-searchers.co.uk/thesearchersandme/I must read this. Frank certainly seems to be able to string a few words together for The Searchers website and he seems reasonably articulate (unlike some others!) |
|
|
|
Post by JamesT on Dec 2, 2014 7:02:05 GMT
Maybe Terry Sylvester reads this forum:
Terry Sylvester @terry_Sylvester · 8 hrs8 hours ago
In the middle of negotiations for a book deal, this is not a threat, it's a promise, there's gonna feathers ruffled, watch this space!
I wonder if will be full of paradoxes, such as his regularly-vented dislike of Roy Keane on the grounds he's a 'thug', yet he can't see what the issue is with convicted rapist Ched Evans.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stranger on Dec 2, 2014 10:36:20 GMT
I wonder if will be full of paradoxes, such as his regularly-vented dislike of Roy Keane on the grounds he's a 'thug', yet he can't see what the issue is with convicted rapist Ched Evans. My favourite Terry Paradox is that someone should beat up Roy Keane because he is a thug! |
|
|
|
Post by Gralto on Dec 2, 2014 11:20:39 GMT
Maybe Terry Sylvester reads this forum: Terry Sylvester @terry_Sylvester · 8 hrs8 hours ago
In the middle of negotiations for a book deal, this is not a threat, it's a promise, there's gonna feathers ruffled, watch this space!
I wonder if will be full of paradoxes, such as his regularly-vented dislike of Roy Keane on the grounds he's a 'thug', yet he can't see what the issue is with convicted rapist Ched Evans. Thanks for posting James. He's certainly talking the talk so let's see if he delivers on these promises to spill the beans. What I'm unsure about is whether he has already started writing his autobio (or maybe even completed it) or whether he has yet to put finger to computer keyboard. He mentioned to DirtyFaz back in 2009 that he was going to write a book so perhaps 5 years later, he's getting near to having it done. What with all this rumoured book action, it promises to be a busy next couple of years on The Hollies' literature front. I intend to have something to add to that shortly myself - nothing major (more on that soon). |
|
|
|
Post by JamesT on Dec 3, 2014 7:10:54 GMT
Looking forward to it all - started Nash's autobiography before the summer - will need to get back into it.
|
|
