“Bus stop, wet day, she’s there, I say “Please, share my umbrella”
Bus stop, bus goes, she stays, love grows under my umbrella” (Graham Gouldman, 1966, performed by The Hollies)
It was 1966. I was 9 years old and my parents took me to London for a week, to “see the sights”. It was so exciting to visit the capital as a youngster. We had a full, packed agenda of activities that my dad planned for us. Madame Tussauds, The Planetarium, London Zoo, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Ken Dodd and the Diddymen at the Palladium and a visit to the trendy, fab, gear (using the terminology of the time) clothes shops of Carnaby Street.
There were probably others I have forgotten. Running through my head were songs of the time: “She Loves You” by the Beatles, “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” by the Kinks and “Bus Stop” by The Hollies. I had just come across pop music and the groups (not bands in those days) of the day. It was the Beatles and “She Loves You” which really opened my mind to the new music and my favourite bands were as aforementioned the Beatles, the Stones, the Kinks and The Hollies. “Bus Stop” was my favourite song.
I have been lucky enough to see The Hollies many times over the years from the Alan Clarke days, through his replacement the Move’s the late Carl Wayne incarnation of the band and for the last 20 years “new boy” Peter Howarth as front man. They remain great to this day. The only original members remaining are drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks (a very underrated guitarist in my view). Bobby sits at the back providing the foundation for the music and Tony plays impeccable electric guitar, banjo (particularly on “Stop, Stop, Stop”) and electric sitar.
And yes he still looks as young as ever. The rest of the musicians include Ray Styles on bass, formerly of Mud, providing excellent accompaniment to the vocals, led by Peter Howarth who now has gelled to become an integral part of the band. With the Hollies it was always about the harmonies, great songs, and great vocals. And that still remains the case today.
So, another encounter with an old favourite who, as expected, delivered an evening of great hits. I knew every song and so many memories, including that visit to London, ran through my head. This group was the soundtrack of my youth and into the early 1970s.
As usual, the concert was in two parts each one comprising hit after hit.
They opened with “King Midas in Reverse” reminding me of seeing Graham Nash in the same venue just over a week before. And then we were off on a carousel (pun intended) of classic songs, each one a favourite. “Gasoline Alley Bred”, “Here I Go Again” and back to the start for “We’re Through” and “Stay”. They also included a more recent track “Weakness”. The first set closed with another catchy melody “Look Through Any Window”.
Time for a quick Jack Daniels and back to our seats at the rear of the hall for the second part of the concert. The opener was a lesser-known song, but another favourite of mine “The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee” followed by more classics “Yes I Will” and here it comes….the one and only “Bus Stop”. My evening was complete already. But the hits kept coming: “I’m Alive” (their only number 1 single), “The Baby” which was recorded during a period when Alan Clarke left the band for a short hiatus and was replaced by singer Mikael Rickfors, the Bruce Springsteen song “Sandy”, the tale about a belly dancer in a nightclub and a drunken evening which precedes “Stop, Stop, Stop” and then onwards to the closing songs “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, “The Air That I Breathe” and the closest The Hollies ever got to rock ‘n’ roll “Long Cool Woman in A Black Dress”. Another wonderful evening spent in the majestic Glasshouse venue with a group who resonated with my childhood and youth. Marvellous. Thanks to Jan for the photos.
Setlist: Set A: King Midas in Reverse / I Can’t Let Go; Jennifer Eccles; Sorry Suzanne; On a Carousel; Gasoline Alley Bred; Magic Woman Touch; Weakness; Here I Go Again; I Can’t Tell the Bottom From the Top; We’re Through; Just One Look; Stay; Look Through Any Window.
Set B: The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee; Yes I Will; Bus Stop; I’m Alive; The Baby; 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy); The Very Last Day; Carrie Anne; Stop Stop Stop; He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother; The Air That I Breathe; Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by treetopflier2009 on September 26, 2023 at 12:47 pm
There’s a great Hollies doc on Sky Arts Peter. Well worth a watch (if you haven’t seen it already).
Posted by vintagerock on September 26, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Yes I have seen the documentary you refer to. It is excellent many thanks Peter
Posted by ryetursblog.wordpress.com on October 20, 2023 at 4:08 am
Fantastic band. Excellent report on their concert 🎵 🎸🎼🥁🎸🎤🎹🎷🎺🎻🥁🎧
Posted by vintagerock on October 20, 2023 at 9:55 am
Yes still great after all these years. Happy days Peter
Posted by ryetursblog.wordpress.com on October 21, 2023 at 12:03 am
great memories Peter
Posted by vintagerock on October 21, 2023 at 11:01 am
Great memories indeed. Happy days. PS Bus Stop is my favourite Peter
Posted by ryetursblog.wordpress.com on October 21, 2023 at 11:02 pm
Mine probably “Here I Go Again” but so many classics to choose from in their careers. The strangest thing is that besides The Beatles too many of the other N West bands seem completely forgotten. It may be heresy but there were musicians as good as The Beatles who deserve to be remembered.
Posted by vintagerock on October 22, 2023 at 9:45 am
Who are you thinking of? Pray tell. You can’t leave me wondering Peter
Posted by ryetursblog.wordpress.com on October 22, 2023 at 11:28 am
The For Certain Because album is a masterpiece
Posted by vintagerock on October 22, 2023 at 11:30 am
I don’t think I have that one. Will check it out thanks Peter
Posted by vintagerock on October 22, 2023 at 11:32 am
Have just checked and of course I do have this. I have all the early albums up to the mid–70s best wishes Peter
Posted by ryetursblog.wordpress.com on October 22, 2023 at 12:54 pm
what’s your view on Graham Nash? i find him since he left The Hollies heavy going. Tony Hicks for me was more important but everyone differs. I have not read Nash’s autobiography
Posted by vintagerock on October 22, 2023 at 1:28 pm
I am still a pretty big fan of Graham Nash and I like much of his later work including in particular “Military Madness”, “Chicago”, “Our House” and “Teach Your Children”. However I also agree with you about Tony Hicks. I do think he is the mainstay of the band and that he is very underrated guitarist. The Hollies remain a classic band and are still great today. I feel Peter Howarth fits in very well. Peter