Hi Everyone.

My name is Christine and I have been a very keen Hollies fan since 1999. I have always loved different types of music since I was a babe, including '60's and '70's music. I studied music at school, and used to play the piano and guitar. I even went through a stage of song writing in my early 20's, but lost interest when I met my boyfriend Mike and got more settled in my daytime office job.

People have often asked me, "Why do you like that music, it's before your time." I guess it got ingrained into me from when my mother turned on the radio to sooth me when I was crying in my cot.
Having a general interest in '60;s music, I had heard of the Hollies, and knew some of their songs, but it wasn't till I watched "Just One Look" on the series "Sounds of the Sixties" that I became the very keen fanatical follower that I am now.

I was since then that my CD holder began to overflow with all these Hollies CD's, both original and compilation albums. In between my LP's were squeezed various Hollies LP's that I managed to get from 2nd hand stores.

As Graham had become one of my favourites (oh he was so gorgeous in the "Just One Look" film clip, but it was made a year before I was born, so no threat to Mike). I wanted to check out the music he did after the Hollies, so that year Mike gave me the self-titled "Crosby Stills & Nash" album for my birthday, and I bought "Deja Vu." A real rock music education for me. I've since bought two solo albums by Graham. The collection continues.

THE HOLLIES DOLLS

I was later that year that I got this idea to make Hollies dolls - my favourites Graham and Tony. Funny, I had never had the inclination of making dolls of other bands that I have liked. But it was then that this idea came to me, so when I was on holidays from work, I rang Mum and said, "I want to stay over and borrow your sewing machine. I want to make Holly dolls."

Now at this time, it was November, only a month before Christmas. So it was natural response for Mum to say, "What are Holly dolls? Are they Christmas dolls? Do you want me to look for red and green material?" I laughed. "No, Mum, the Hollies are a '60's band, like the Beatles. I'm buying black and white material for jackets and pants."

Like the Beatles? Well Mum knows the Beatles. She didn't follow '60's music that closely, being more preoccupied with two small children during that time. She did know some '60's groups, but apparently not The Hollies.

I knew Mum had an old book with patterns for rag dolls, bought many years ago when my old Pink Dolly (front right in the group picture with the black bunches) needed to be covered. I used the Pink Dolly pattern to make the Hollies. This old book also had patterns for dolls clothes, but they were mainly for girl dolls, so we had to adapt a pattern from dolls' pyjamas, to make the jackets, shirts and pants.

Whilst at my parents' place, I managed to make the dolls themselves and the clothes, then back at the flat, the hair and facial features came on and the shoes were hand sewn.

THE CONCERT

In February 2001, when The Hollies were touring Australia, and I had booked my trip to Melbourne to see them, friends asked if I would take the dolls. That gave me an idea, though they would take up a hell of a lot of room in my suitcase. In the hotel room on the evening of the concert I wondered whether to take them along. What would people think of a grown woman carrying two big dolls? Then I thought, "Oh God damn it, they're mascots, why shouldn't I? I've brought them all the way here, even brought a proper bag to put them in."

So they accompanied me to the concert, humph they were allowed in without a ticket. I pulled them out to show the people at my table. They laughed but were interested. After the show, when I was waiting in the venue for band members to come out, a waitress gave me two seats, one for me, one for the dolls. She said my dolls were awesome. The show? Of course it was brilliant! One of the most exciting times of my life! I got so much into the music I forgot myself sometimes.

I did have the privilege of meeting some band members. Of course I really wanted to meet Tony Hicks, so I could show him his namesake. I briefly pointed them out to Alan Coates, when I was getting his autograph. "Oh, right," he said. (He called me darling before - couldn't resist to write that).

I eventually got to meet a few others, including Tony. After getting his autograph, I asked if he would have a photo with me and that I had a few dolls to show him. I was looking tense because his stage equipment was missing and also looked like he was in a hurry, so I told myself not to hold him up too long. I held up my Tony doll. He said "Blimey!"

The photo of me with him is on the Hollies Yahoo club, but unfortunately he's frowning and you can't see the dolls, only the tops of their woolly hair.

I don't know if Graham has ever seen his namesake on the net. The dolls are also on Lorraine's site, and I once sent a few photo's to an email address of Graham's for fans. With all the fan mail he gets and all his commitments to his many projects, he may not have had a chance.

BOB DYLAN DOLL

When I brought my dolls to work to show people, it happened that my friend Renee asked for a Bob Dylan doll, as she is a Dylan fan. I stayed over at Mum's again, wow if this goes on I'll have to invest in my own sewing machine. I wondered what outfit to give Bob, and ended up choosing green paisley material for his top and dark grey for the pants. Mum found in a book on knitted dolls a pattern for curly hair. At that time I was back in my flat, so asked her to bring the pattern over, but when she started to try out the pattern, she ended up knitting the whole hair. So that is her credit, I'm still to try out tat knitted curly hair.

I finished off Bob. I couldn't get him to look quite as much the real thing as I could with the Hollies, but the doll itself I am happy with, and Renee was pleased. Other friends commented, "Bob Dylan has a thin face and looks sullen, that dolls has a round face and is smiling." I joked, "This is when he was younger and happier,."

MONOGRAMMED TOPS

Recently I've added more to my Hollies items. This year, just after Christmas I had three tops monogrammed. I've talked to other fans a few times, about how sad it is that there is no Hollies merchandise available. I have three Dire Straits T-shirts, two Smiths t-shirts, a U2 T-shirt and a few other tops with logo's of bands I've liked at various times. why can't I have a Hollies top? Oh well, I decided to get them done myself, so I did. I had the tops done at an embroidery place on the outer part of Adelaide's CBD.

The tops were done back and front. The lady in the shop was very cluey about which colours of embroidered cotton looked good on certain backgrounds, and different styles of letters too. I had "The Hollies" embroidered onto a blue fleece jacket and a thick green cotton shirt. I chose pale blue for the fleece jacket, another shade of blue that would not show any dye running whenever the jacket was washed. The green shirt has denim-blue monogram, to match the collar.

The third top, with "Crosby Stills & Nash" embroidered, is a white soft cotton. The cuffs and collar I've always thought were grey, so asked for dark grey monogram, but the lady said apparently that colour is a very unusual green, so suggested a moss green for the letters. I trusted her judgement. It turned out to my liking. Do others think those cuffs are green? It's probably hard to see on a photo on the net.

I recall a few other fans have asked about the tops. I think most shirts and jackets could be monogrammed in the same way.


Another Hollies item I've had made up is a necklace, in sterling silver with initial pendants spelling "Hollies" were soldered onto a chain. Mike took a photo of me wearing it, but unfortunately one can't really see the letters. If I were to do another photo, it would have to be of the necklace itself, really close up.

When I ordered my Carousel magazine, I also ordered two "Hollies Carousel" badges, black-and-gold badges. I should put them in a special case with the necklace.

Now all I need in another Hollies concert or convention to attend, so I can wear one of these garments and my newly acquired jewellery. (I can still wear them in the street, of course). Then again if the concert was somewhere fancy like Crown Casino, I may want to get more dressed up, (couldn't let The Hollies see me look scruffy). Have there ever been any conventions in Australia? Dear Hollies, come back soon.
Graham, why don't you organise something in Australia?

All my love,

Christine Wilson.

"How can a poor man stand for Clarke and live?" is how we could coin the old folk standard phrase – for The Hollies´ world debut with a new lead singer. As you're asking, it works, and here's how it started: Dramatized by the sound of classical fanfare, six Hollies enter the dark stage of the posh Mercedes 1200-seater, and immediately they throw us a non-stop threesome of hits: "Stay“, back to its original speed after last year's slow rendition, "Here I Go Again,“ and "Jennifer Eccles.“ The new voice is clear, but obviously different, therefore still cleverly embedded in the harmonies of guitarists Tony Hicks, Alan Coates and bass player Ray Stiles.

"I'm Carl Wayne“ is the ex-Move frontman´s friendly but brief intro. He's here to prove that an institution can continue unharmed, and so far he got away with it. "Bus Stop“ has always thrived on Allan Clarke, but with Carl's lead voice now mixed to the fore, we can get used to Wayne's World. Yes, he delivers with warmth and precision. He moves with style and grace, and thankfully we know his pipes as a proven Sixties treasure. "King Midas In Reverse“ is dedicated to another lost but forever Honorary Hollie, Graham Nash. His role has long been filled by Alan Coates, and his interpretation is as young and clear as the band is adventurous. Ian Parker's subtle keyboard arrangements are complemented with astounding drum work courtesy of Bobby Elliott – his double bass fills work a treat, another asset where he could easily impress with the patterns he has always been revered for.

"Peggy Sue Got Married“ introduces a third lead singer – long dead but alive on Parky´s samples: Buddy Holly. He gave this band its name, but Hicks & Co.  took Rock´n´Roll several steps further. Beat was followed by Psychedelia, and "Butterfly“ has yet to be discovered as the Hollies´ "Sgt. Pepper“. The title song is a tender flower power anthem, again refined by a romantically inclined Alan Coates. Carl leads into a powerful "I'm Alive,“ hands over to Coates for "On A Carousel“, but then has to face the semi finals. "Sorry Suzanne“ and "Blowing In The Wind“ need all his concentration. His performance here is admirable, and he does the only thing possible – that is filling the tunes with his own character.

After the intermission, the band starts like many Seventies shows - with the unforgettable "I Can't Let Go.“ The boys and their audience are definitely in a party mood now, and the hits are run off smoothly: "Yes I Will,“ "Just One Look,“ and "We're Through“ with percussive panache only Brazilians take for granted. Still, Carl is in for risks, too: After five years, The Hollies re-introduce "Soldier Song,“ the dramatic ballad they charted with in 1980. Wayne succeeds, simply by using his own phrasing, by making the story his own. He is followed by "Coatsy, Stiles & Hicks“ Unplugged Show: "Listen To Me,“ the White Beatles "Blackbird“ with wonderful harmony work, "Look Through Any Window“ with Bob re-joining halfway.

"Carrie Anne“ and "Stop Stop Stop“ – the tune Tony has to schlep his banjo for! – continue the happy vibes, till everyone remembers that Carl still has to face the onslaught of the magic two Hollies ballads: During "The Air That I Breathe“ and "He Ain't Heavy,“ fans & friends listen to every nuance in Wayne's reading. For both performances, Tony, Bob, Alan, Ray and Ian seem to assure Carl he's already part of the band, and twice, the applause carries a sigh of relief – this does indeed work, we can take everything from here. The rest is a doddle, but what a long and cheerful one: "Johnny B. Goode,“ "Let's Dance,“ young and old rocking in the aisles. By the time Carl –  during an epic "Long Cool Woman“ –  introduces the band in fluent German (!), he may well feel that he's made some friends tonight, on- and off-stage.

Uli Twelker.

"The Chase, Baker's Delight".
By Graham Baker.
I chased Graham Nash down Blackpool Pier in 1965 and caught him in Chicago in 2000 !!

As some of you may know, the weekend before Easter my girlfriend pushed me into spending my well earned bonus on a birthday treat and flying to the States to catch a couple of the last CSNY 2000 concerts. A frantic 36 hours later I was on my way, meeting a stranger, John, contacted through 'The Lee Shore', at Heathrow for the flight to Chicago. It was a great timing as it happened because they were playing Chicago Saturday night and two nights later  Milwaukee, which is only 95 miles away, so I was able to share a rental car with Buzz, another 'Shorer.' On both nights we met a crowd of friendly 'Shorers' at pre-show gatherings, which were good fun.

But, cutting the trivia and onto important matters - the concerts. Well, I was full of expectations from all the very favourable, if biased, reviews on The Lee Shore (that's what had me dying to go!) and.......... well they way exceeded those expectations by, well at least Eight Miles Higher (duh!). They were FANTASTIC. The concert halls were your typical big indoor arenas (similar to Manchester's Nynex Arena and other 'Arenas,' for UK readers) but the sound was excellent where I was sat. And CSNY were on top form both nights. This was a tight ass BAND. It wasn't Young Neil supported by or carrying CSN, this was a four piece BAND, equal spotlight and honours all round.

Yes the finale is Stills & Young guitar duels, and I take back previous comments about Stephen, he was on fine form, equal shares of the lead and giving Neil as good as he got, and voice and fingers giving us a superb Suite; Judy Blue Eyes. Neil was both Neil, with his distinctive stooped prowling, yet a group member, his voice less whiny with age and making his guitar sing and scream. David, well everyone has a soft spot for David after surviving his drugs problems and liver transplant, yet with his voice stronger than ever (He could have done Almost Cut My Hair without a mic!) and fingers still playing those unusual tunings on the acoustic numbers (Dream For Him and Guinnevere his acoustic highlights) and fine supporting guitar to Neil & Stephen.

And to Nashy, my musical hero for, well, a long time. I was afraid from reading some reviews and set-lists, that he may be over shadowed - not a bit of it !!  Graham has the 'hits" and the sing-a-long crowd favourites (yet not embarrassing to sing-a-long) (Teach Your Children, Marrakesh Express, Our House) among his superb new numbers (Heartland, Someday Soon). (I should say all the tracks from Looking Forward are 1000 times better live and with instant performing night after night they are getting better as the tour proceeds).  His voice was strong and clear when he was on lead, and as sublime as ever when on harmony - Guinnevere, After The Goldrush deserving special attention here; as special as it was when I first heard 'Stay' back in 1963.

We all have our favourites amongst Graham's or CSN/Y's huge back catalogue, so they won't please all the people all the time, so I won't complain about the choice of songs (even if I did miss them doing Graham's Chicago in Chicago, which they performed on the Friday night, ah well).

But wait, it GET'S BETTER still !!! Thanks to a good internet friend  who told Nashy about my last minute trans Atlantic dash to see my life long hero, Graham arranged a backstage pass !! And I didn't turn into a stars truck incoherent idiot. He knew who I was immediately I was introduced and was so nice it put me at ease. We had a few minutes chat one to one, then I hung around in a group with Dolf and Joroen from Holland (the compilers of 4 Way Site) with Graham popping over to chat in between topping up his wine and shaking countless other hands.  Not knowing before I left the hotel that I was getting a backstage pass I was unprepared and did not have my camera or things for him to sign. Still, small beer compared to meeting him.

So, 35 years after I chased Graham Nash and the other Hollies along Blackpool Pier after a concert, I got to meet him in calmer circumstances in Chicago.  That was my new millennium birthday treat !!