Geoff@Home

Eastbourne, Congress Theatre, 14th October, 2000 By Geoff (Yours Truly)

This was my first chance to see what damaged had been inflicted on The Hollies, with the departure of one of my favourite singers of all time (maybe longer than that) Allan Clarke. Reports of the new chap had been very good, but I had to see and hear for myself, to make up my own mind on the replacement Carl Wayne. I knew of him, of course, that he was in The Move with Roy Wood, also that 'Flowers in The Rain' was the first song to be played on BBC Radio One by DJ Tony Blackburn, no less. I had not heard him singing in the years that followed. Then I found out he sang the jingle in the Gillette TV ad, 'Gillette, The Best A Man Can Get', which for some reason, it always stuck in my mind and I thought it was well sung, but at the time didn't know who sang it. I still use Gillette razors today, who said a good song can't influence you?

Anyway I'm rambling on a bit. I'd seen Carl Wayne earlier in the afternoon at the Carousel Convention along with the rest of The Hollies. The others came fifteen minutes earlier to not much commotion, we were all told that Carl was held up in traffic. Then Carl made his entrance, to cheering and clapping. He was medium height, looked trim and dressed in a dapper bright pale blue unbuttoned shirt, sporting a white T shirt underneath. He looked really smart but casual at the same time, with a tinge of blond hair. Carl and the rest of The Hollies went about their usual routine of chatting with the many fans who had gathered to get autographs and have their own piece of history, by getting their photograph taken with their heroes. I thought Carl was very relaxed with the fans, always ready with a smile and a joke with everyone, as were all The Hollies. Carl and Tony Hicks being the most popular.

They stayed for over an hour, had a final line up, for the fans to take their own group photo, then left for a sound check before the concert that evening.

There was a buzz in the theatre bar before the concert, a lot of people were like me waiting to see how Carl would perform.

It was time, rousing music, search lights moving in all directions and the smoke machine going into overtime. Of course Bobby, Ian, Ray, Alan and Tony came on first to great cheering and applause, then the man they'd waited to see and hear made his entrance to rapturous cheers and energetic clapping. Carl jiggled his hips in a side ways motion, then does a clever trick with his mike and waves to all corners of the theatre. Then ' I'm Alive' bursts into life with great gusto. After that my worries about Carl Wayne had gone forever. The harmonies with Carl, Alan, Tony and Ray hiding at the back were sounding excellent.

It was only when Carl got to sing the big ballads, that he put his own style to the renditions with amazing results. Dylans' 'Blowing In The Wind' (Hollies' arrangement) had the hairs standing on the back of my neck. Rickfors' Years 'The Baby' suited Carl's style to the ground, along with Tony's Sitar guitar ( Tony Hicks is really enjoying his guitar playing these days)

Then with 'We're Through', we had the man with the torch again, Ian Parker walking down the aisles, while Carl took over on keyboards and singing. Then Ian returned, singing solo at the end of the song, very entertaining.

Buddy Holly singing lead again with The Hollies on 'Peggy Sue Got Married', poor Carl is relegated to tambourine , this is one song I would not miss if they left it out. It went down well though. Alan Coates repeated his excellent solo spot with 'Butterfly'. To make Carl feel at home, two Move songs, 'Flowers In The Rain' and 'Blackberry Way' really got the crowd clapping. Beatles' 'Blackbird' with only Tony, Ray and Alan harmonizing was excellent, Carl having a rest at this time. Ray Stiles' old band Mudd was highlighted, with Ray singing lead on 'Tiger Feet'. Tony said to Ray ' I thought Mudd were touring again, I saw a sign "Mud on the road" while travelling down here.'

That's another thing, I thought the humour was spot on when Allan Clarke was there, but they have not lost any of their wit with Carl in the fold. Carl always ribbing Tony about his sexual preference, while Tony was in a bright red outfit, then later on when he wore a sailor type shirt, all great fun. Tony said 'I'm a flower among dirty sods', Carl replied 'Yes a pansy'. They seem to be really enjoying their banter.

Carl did an excellent rendition of 'Soldier's Song', the harmonies were really tight, amidst spooky red lighting ( representing blood, I suppose) had hairs standing on my neck again. 'The Air That I Breathe' (Carl dedicated this to Allan and Jennie Clarke), 'Long Cool Woman' (had them dancing in the aisles) and finally 'He Ain't Heavy' were, what can I say, 'magnificent', I'm running out of great words to say.

Carl Wayne has my vote, Hollies, God love 'em.

To end a perfect day I later found out Burnley beat Stockport 2- 1 at home, bliss.