The Manchester band The Hollies have reached their 50th Anniversary milestone in 2012……..If ever a pop group had an appropriate name, it’s the Hollies – the Holly tree is an evergreen and the Hollies pop band throughout it’s history has been all about renewal and re-invention. Just as the Holly tree sheds it’s leaves imperceptibly, so the Hollies has constantly, but seamlessly, changed it’s line up over the years. What hasn’t changed, is the high quality melody and harmony in their songs!!

The Hollies have been incredibly prolific over the years with 19 studio albums, 22 compilation albums and 67 singles. My introduction to The Hollies was in March 1974 and the sublime single “The Air That I Breathe”, which was pipped to the No1 post in the charts by Paperlace’s “Billy Don’t Be A Hero”……Scant justice for a great song to be kept off the top of the charts by a cheesey ballad, but it wouldn’t be the first or last time this has happened!!

However The Hollies success went back a further decade to 1964, when they first started getting chart recognition and success. Amazingly The Hollies have only had one No1 in the UK, “I’m Alive” ( 1965 ), and it’s perhaps for this reason that the band does not get the credit it deserves. After the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, Kinks and Small Faces, I would say that the Hollies were the best band to come out of the 1960s. The Hollies were instrumental in creating the rich musical tapestry and soundtrack of that most wonderful, culturally inspiring decade!! To emphasise the depth and quality of The Hollies back catalogue, here’s my Top Ten Best Hollies Songs….

Top Ten Best Hollies Songs

1) I Can’t Tell the Bottom from the Top ( No7 – 1970 )

2) The Air That I Breathe ( No2 – 1974 )

3) Jennifer Eccles ( No7 – 1968 )

4) Bus Stop ( No5 – 1966 )

5) Listen To Me ( No11 – 1968 )

6) Sorry Suzanne ( No3 – 1969 )

7) Carrie Anne ( No3 – 1967 )

8 ) King Midas in Reverse ( No18 – 1967 )

9) Look Through Any Window ( No4 – 1965 )

10) He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother ( No3 – 1969 )

Which are your favourite Hollies songs, singles or album tracks? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate the Hollies’ 50th Anniversary and immortalise the band in your own home or office, by ordering your favourite Hollies vinyl record or CD; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… ORDER NOW…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records with a personalised plaque, make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For all other Hollies memorabilia, merchandise and news……. www.hollies.co.uk/