The Hollies - Concert Review

Halifax Victoria Theatre, 15^th May 1998 - by Jennifer Cooper

How does 2 1/2 hours seem to only last 1/2 an hour?

This is the question I ask myself each time I go to a Hollies' Concert. But this particular concert held an extra special memory for me when Rob Haywood asked if I would like to write him a report of The Hollies' concert in Halifax.

Would I? You bet I would!

Having followed The Hollies for 35 years from Blackburn to Darwen to Harrogate to York and now to Halifax what a wonderful opportunity it is to be able to write this report.

The Hollies played to a packed audience on Friday night who, in spite of a hot summers day, all came along to see The Hollies at their best. The audience ranged from a little boy sat near to me of about 5 years' of age to a couple in their 70's, and any combination in between!

Allan told the audience he had got lost on the way to Halifax from Newcastle and said he had wandered around the Dales just like Compo and the gang from "The Last of the Summer Wine"! Since my husband and I both got lost on the way there from Knaresborough we felt we were in good company.

Allan was in fine form along with Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Alan Coates, Ray Stiles and lan Parker. The tribute to Buddy Holly by backing him on "Peggy Sue got Married" is unique. But the hit songs kept on coming from "Stay" to "On a Carousel", "Just One Look", "Bus Stop", "The Air that I Breath", "Carrie Anne", "Jennifer Eccles", "Sandy", "Stop, Stop, Stop" and my all time favourite "He aint Heavy, He's my Brother".

Tony Hicks, as always, was superb on his vast range of guitars and, of course, his banjo playing on "Stop, Stop, Stop", was fantastic. He still looks as young as ever, and as a friend, who saw The Hollies at Newcastle the previous evening, said "how does he manage it"? The Hollies certainly keep me feeling young too!

Alan Coates' solo of "Butterfly" was moving. Everyone had a good laugh when lan Parker began to play an accordion whilst walking round the audience during "We’re Through".

If anyone out here reads this and has not been to a Hollies' Concert you do not know what you are missing. But then I am rather biased! I for one hope they carry on performing for many years to come.

Jennifer Cooper