The Hollies - Concert Review

Cardiff St David's Hall, 12^th November 1999 - by Rose Burridge and friend

'Another night' to look forward to, my heroes "The Hollies" were at St Davids Hall again.

Myself and a few friends left our small Welsh Village up at the top of the Rhymney Valley. We were looking forward to our night out and we knew we would have a good time. We had no doubt about re-living our teenage years.

Sitting in our seats we could hardly contain ourselves, then the lights went down and the music started to play. Then the array of lights flashed all around the theatre, at last my idols appeared on stage. The songs came one after another, "JUST ONE LOOK" "HERE I GO AGAIN", "I'M ALIVE" In between songs, we had a laugh with some chat from Tony and Allan about various things.

Great songs from albums like "SANDY" and the beautiful haunting "BUTTERFLY".

The Hollies rolled back the years, good memories of days gone by.

All to soon it was the end of the first half, they finished off with McGuinnes Flints "WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE", a real foot stamping song followed by "CAROUSEL".

It wasn't too long before they were back on stage for the second half, again all the hits were there, "YES I WILL" and a re-worked "LOOK THROUGH ANY WINDOW".

During "WERE THROUGH", Ian Parker left the stage and went walk about and when he didn't return in time for his solo, Allan Clarke took over on keyboards - what a fine group of musicians and so professional.

Ray is a great Bass guitarist, Bobby is the greatest rock drummer of his day, lan must also be the envy of many a young musician of today, Alan Coates too showed what a good all round musician he his, and how well he uses the harmonies which is The Hollies famous trademark.

Tony Hicks who stills doesn't look his age (wonder what soap he uses) is a master on guitar and banjo, he is very under-rated. He must have worn his fingers down to the bone. Allan Clark sounds good too, but did struggle a few times.

They played songs which other groups and artists recorded, the BEATLES "BLACKBIRD" and of course BUDDY HOLLY'S "PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED" which-Tony told us was arranged by Ray.

Then before we knew it, the ever familiar chords of "THE AIR THAT I BREATHE" were played, we knew that the night was nearly over. "HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER", which must be their Anthem had the audience standing, the air was electric.

Once again they showed what a brilliant group they are. We all had a night to remember already but more was come for me.

The real highlight for me was actually meeting Tony Hicks. He was lovely, even nicer than he is on stage, such a lovely person, he actually stopped to chat to us while we were waiting for our taxi.

Such a wonderful night I will not forget it in a hurry.

Thanks to:- TONY, BOBBY, ALLAN, RAY, IAN and ALAN

Looking forward to the next HOLLIES concert in Cardiff.

Rose Burridge and a friend.

Back to Review Index