The new Hollies' line-up at Manchester's Palace Theatre Saturday 6th November 2004    

By  Martin Dodd

Hi Folks

I first started watching The Hollies around 1984 time, which I guess you could say is half the time they have been going as a band. What better place to see them yet again than one of Manchester’s finest, grand old theatres. Which was an ideal setting for a band such as The Hollies.

We got to The Palace Theatre, at about 7.20 pm, which was just about time to find our seats before the show started at 7.30pm. The Hollies walked on stage shortly after, with the two new recruits in the band, Peter Howarth on lead vocal and Steve Lauri on Rhythm/Lead Guitar and launched into Stop In The Name Of Love

Long term member, Alan Coates who I believe has now retired from The Hollies after 20 superb years with the band, to dedicate more time to his commitments outside the Hollies, producing TV themes and adverts for national television.

Peter wasted no time whatsoever in declaring “I am no longer the new boy in the band” as he introduced The Hollies newest recruit, Steve Lauri who from what I saw is a great guitarist and I think it is fair to say is just settling into the band and I am sure we are going to see more of a vocal contribution to follow once he gets comfortable in his new role. But he did sing “I Can’t Tell the Bottom from The Top” and did a great version of it to too. I can tell he is going to be a great addition to the group. I mean lets face it; it is a pretty tall order to join The Hollies and learn all those complex Harmony vocals, in such a short space of time.

But I think its fair to say all eyes were on Peter and how he would sound, would he fit in with The Hollies sound, did he have stage presence? Well, in answer to all those questions the answer quite simply is yes. Peter’s approach and delivery of the songs is quite simply remarkable, he gives 100% on stage at all times. He has a fine quality in his voice, backed up with a tremendous vocal range. Peter fits perfectly into The Hollies camp, both vocally and visually. His style is unique and he makes the songs his own very much his own.

Within the first few numbers they played Sorry Suzanne note perfect, which is one of my personal favourites. All the usual hits followed but personal highlights of the night for me were The Air That I Breathe, 4th Of July, Ashbury Park (Sandy) surprises during the gig were a superb version of Gasoline Alley Bred.

During the night they did like an unplugged style type of section of the show, which was great, to hear new arrangements of the classic songs, without taking away too much of the vital ingredients. Playing songs such as Look Through Any Window and Bus Stop. Peter and Bobby left the stage for a while during this time. Shortly after this peter returned to the stage during the night for an acoustic version of “Here I Go Again” backed by just his own accompaniment of acoustic guitar. What a talent and what a voice, this was a real treat.

It was great to see original Hollies members Tony and Bobby still with the band and the pair of them, never ever look any different in all the years I have been going to the gigs. Tony did a great vocal on Too Young To Be Married.

But the biggest achievement of all in 2004 is the fact that The Hollies have now just notched up over 40 years in the music business and they are still as strong as ever. I am proud to say that for 20 of those years I have followed the bands musical career very closely. But what I can say is that every time I have seen them live they have always had superb musicians with them in the band to play along side the original members and this night was no exception, with Ian Parker on keyboards, he is superb and his interaction on stage with other members of the band brings some lighter and humorous moments to the band.

But I think the man who deserves a special mention was The Hollies long term Bass Player/Backing Vocals Ray Stiles. With the recent departure of Alan Coates Ray was working overtime on providing the top line harmony vocal sound that has always gave The Hollies that trade mark unique sound that they get. A superb job he did too. He also took to the microphone for a very special tribute to Carl Wayne, with what was for a lot of us in the audience a very emotional moment, when he did a superb rendition of Flowers In The Rain. If that’s what we felt like in the audience, imagine what it was like for them paying a respectful tribute to The Hollies former front man who passed away so tragically from cancer. He later in the set brought the audience up of their seats for a rocking rendition of Tiger Feet, one of the biggest hits he had during his career as founder member of Mud.

The night was then drawing to a close, when they finished with He Aint Heavy, He’s My Brother. Peter sang this song with such emotion and feel that only people in the calibre of Peter, Carl Wayne and Allan Clarke on the original recording could.

All in all a superb night of fine entertainment and music at its best, roll on the next time they do the local rounds.

I would like to wish The Hollies every success the rest of the tour and to the future. I can appreciate it will be difficult with the passing of Carl been not too long ago, but we the regular fans are 100% behind you and am sure all the regulars will support them all the way.

Martin Dodd