This Week Phil Nee Talks About THE HOLLIES

Today we go back to the WRCO archives and feature highlights from a 1999 interview with Terry Sylvester of the Hollies.  He replaced Graham Nash when Nash left in 1968.  

 

Terry was a member of the Escorts, a group that appeared with the Beatles at some shows in the early 60's.  He was a later member of the Swinging Blue Jeans and appeared on the Hollies recordings in the late 60's and 70's.

I first heard Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) in the Summer of 1972. It was hard to believe that it was a Hollies record.  Terry talked to me about that memorable hit.

 

 

From Sorry Suzanne through The Air That I Breathe,  Terry Sylvester was a part of the Hollies and their many radio hits.  I spoke with him about the history of the group.

 

 

There was not a big learning curve for Terry Sylvester when he joined up with the other Hollies.

 

  

The Hollies consistently turned out top-notch records between 1964 and 1975.

Eleven of those made The National Top 40 here in The States ... (and at least half a dozen more deserved to!)

I was intrigued by Terry's comment about their chart success back home in England ... so I put together a comparison HOLLIES HIT LIST below.

I remember when "Long Cool Woman" first hit in 1972, everybody thought it was Creedence Clearwater Revival ... and it REALLY sounded like it could have been at the time.  But now, after hearing it thousand and thousands and thousands of time since, it sounds most definitely like a Hollies record.  (This is one of those rare ones that I NEVER turn off ... when we put together our list of Favorites Songs Of 1972, this one will DEFINITELY be on mine!!!)  

Incredibly, this US #1 Hit only made it to #32 in the UK.  (Guess they didn't like The Hollies' new, harmony-free sound!)  kk 

There is an EXCELLENT Hollies documentary that we have been HIGHLY recommending for YEARS now ... 

Definitely worth picking up.  (If you're anything like us, you'll wind up watching it again and again!)  And right now, you can pick it up for next to nothing!

https://www.amazon.com/Hollies-Look-Through-Window-1963-1975/dp/B07Q38Q7L7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2IAUFR7TMBWD1&keywords=hollies+documentary&qid=1652639398&sprefix=hollies+documentary%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3

Our original DVD review ...

http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2011/08/hollies.html

And now, as promised ...

THE HOLLIES HIT LIST:

1963 - Ain't That Just Like Me (US - xx / UK - 25)

1963 - Searchin' (US - xx / UK - 12)

1963 - Stay (US - xx / UK - 8)

1964 - Just One Look (US - 83 / UK - 2)

1964 - Here I Go Again (US - 107 / UK - 4)

1964 - We're Through (US - xx / UK - 7)

1965 - Yes I Will (US - xx / UK - 9)

1965 - I'm Alive (US - 84 / UK - 1)

1965 - Look Through Any Window (US - 32 / UK - 4)

1966 - If I Needed Someone (US - xx / UK - 20)

1966 - I Can't Let Go (US - 42 / UK - 2)

1966 - Bus Stop (US - 3 / UK - 5)

1966 - Stop Stop Stop (US - 5 / UK - 2)

1967 - On A Carousel (US - 7 / UK - 4)

1967 - Pay You Back With Interest (US - 28 / UK - xx)

1967 - Carrie Anne (US - 9 / UK - 3)

1967 - Just One Look (reissue) US - 44 / UK - xx)

1967 - King Midas In Reverse (US - 46 / UK - 18)

1968 - Dear Eloise (US - 40 / UK - xx)

1968 - Jennifer Eccles (US - 37 / UK - 7)

1968 - Listen To Me (US - 129 / UK - 11)

1969 - Sorry Suzanne (US - 53 / UK - 3)

1970 - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (US - 7 / UK - 3)

1970 - I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top (US - 64 / UK - 7)

1970 - Gasoline Alley Bred (US - 113 / UK - 16)

1971 - Hey Willy (US - 110 / UK - 22)

1972 - The Baby (US - xx / UK - 26)

1972 - Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) US - 1 / UK - 32)

1972 - Long Dark Road (US - 24 / UK - xx)

1973 - Magic Woman Touch (US - 43 / UK - xx)

1973 - Jesus Was A Crossmaker  (US - 97 / UK - xx)

1973 - The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee (US - 76 / UK - 24)

1974 - The Air That I Breathe (US - 5 / UK - 2)

1974 - Don't Let Me Down (US - 114 / UK - xx)

1975 - Sandy (US - 85 / UK - xx)

1975 - Another Night (US - 71 / UK - xx)

1975 - I'm Down (US - 104 / UK - xx)

1976 - Write On (US - 127 / UK - xx)

1980 - Soldier's Song (US - xx / UK - 58)

1981 - Holliedaze (A Medley)* US - xx / UK - 28

*This medley consisted of Just One Look / Here I Go Again / I'm Alive / I Can't Let Go / Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress / Bus Stop / Carrie Anne, probably devised to cash-in on the hot new Stars on 45 phase music was going through!

1983 - Stop In The Name Of Love (reunion single) US - 29 / UK -xx

1988 - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (reissue) US - xx / UK - 1

1988- The Air That I Breathe (reissue) US - xx / UK - 60

1993 - The Woman I Love (US - xx / UK - 42)