At The Daimler Chrysler Event Centre, Sindelfingen, Germany  7th July 2000

As witnessed by Uli Twelker

"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 romatically 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.

Thanks To Uli Twelker For This Review