The Music Of The Hollies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Manchester

The Hollies, Allan Clarke (vocals), Graham Nash (guitar), Tony Hicks (guitar), Eric Haydock (guitar) and Bobby Elliott (drums) were formed in Manchester in the then county of Lancashire in the north west region of the UK. This was the line-up from 1963 to 1966 (my favourite line-up).

There are various theories as to the origins of their name, named for Buddy Holly or after some Christmas holly on Graham Nash's house, being the more likely one. The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Answer: If I Needed Someone

"If I Needed Someone" sang the The Hollies and had a number 20 hit on the UK chart in 1965. It did not chart in the US. It was the first song written by George Harrison to be a hit on the UK singles chart. It was reported in the music press at the time that negative comments by George about The Hollies cover version caused angry words between the groups. The song was constructed around the same guitar riff that The Byrds used on "The Bells Of Rhymney". Roger McGuinn of The Byrds said that George had sent him a tape of the song before it was released to show this.

"If I Needed Someone" is from "Rubber Soul"
"Don't Bother Me" is from "With The Beatles"
"I Need You" is from "Help!"
"I Want To Tell You" is from "Revolver"

All songs written by George Harrison.

Answer: I'm Alive

"I'm Alive" was number one for one week on the UK chart in 1965. It never charted in the US but bubbled under at number 103 on the Hot 100. It was written by Clint Ballard Jr for Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders who had a hit with his "Game Of Love". The Hollies have never had a US number one hit.

"Just One Look" was a number two hit on the UK chart in 1964. It reached number 98 on the US pop chart in 1964 and number 44 in 1967. "I Can't Let Go" was a number two hit on the UK chart in 1966. It reached number 42 on the US pop chart in 1966. "Look Through Any Window" reached number four on the UK chart in 1965. It reached number 32 on the US pop chart in 1966.

Answer: Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

The Song was "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" and it spent two weeks at number two on the US pop chart in 1972. It only reached number 32 on the UK chart in 1972, the lowest UK chart position for a Hollies song up to then.

"Long Dark Road" did not chart in the UK but reached number 26 on the US pop chart in 1972. "Magic Woman Touch" did not chart in the UK but reached number 60 on the US pop chart in 1973. "I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top" reached number seven on the UK chart in 1970. It reached number 82 on the US pop chart in 1970.

Answer: Stop

The Hollies "Bus Stop" reached number five on the UK chart and on the US pop chart in 1966. It was The Hollies 12th UK hit but only their 4th US hit. They were slow to join the invasion with the rest of the British groups. Even though they were not managed by Brian Epstein they were on the same label (Parlophone) as The Beatles in the UK but Imperial and Epic in the US.

Answer: Stop Stop Stop

"Stop Stop Stop" all the dancing sang The Hollies and reached number two on the UK chart in 1966. It stopped at number seven on the US pop chart in 1966.

"On A Carousel" was a number four hit on the UK chart in 1967 and reached number 11 on the US pop chart in 1967. "Carrie-Anne" reached number three on the UK chart in 1967 and was a number nine hit on the US pop chart in 1967. "King Midas In Reverse" was a number 18 hit on the UK chart in 1967 and fared even worse on the US pop chart at number 51 in 1967.

Answer: We're Through

"We're Through" sang The Hollies, it reached number seven on the UK chart in 1964 but failed to chart in the US. This was the first single penned by members of The Hollies.

"Here I Go Again" was a number four hit on the UK chart in 1964 but failed to chart in the US. "Yes I Will" was a number nine hit on the UK chart in 1965 but failed to chart in the US. "Stay" (a cover version of the Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs 1960 US number one hit) was a number eight hit on the UK chart in 1963 but failed to chart in the US. The Hollies missed the boat in the early days of the British invasion in 1964. Only one of their first eight UK chart hits ("Just One Look") was a hit in the US.

Answer: Jennifer Eccles

The Hollies were singing about "Jennifer Eccles". It reached number seven on the UK chart in 1968. It reached number 40 on the US pop chart in 1968.

"Listen To Me" was a number 11 hit on the UK chart in 1968 but failed to chart in the US. "Sorry Suzanne" was a number three hit on the UK chart in 1969 but only reached number 56 on the US pop chart in 1969. "Dear Eloise" failed to chart in the UK but reached number 50 on the US pop chart in 1967.

Answer: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" sang The Hollies and reached number three on the UK chart in 1969. It reached number seven on the US pop chart in 1970. The song was re-released in 1988 and was number one for two weeks on the UK chart. That gave The Hollies only their second UK number one, 23 years after their first. The title of the song is associated with Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska USA.

"Gasoline Alley Bred" reached number 14 on the UK chart in 1970 but failed to chart in the US. "Hey Willy" reached number 22 on the UK chart in 1971 but failed to chart in the US. "The Day Curly Bill Shot Down Crazy Sam McGhee" reached number 24 on the UK chart in 1973 but failed to chart in the US.

Answer: The Air That I Breathe

"The Air That I Breathe" is what The Hollies needed and reached number two on the UK chart in 1974. It reached number six on the US pop chart in 1974.

"Sandy" failed to chart in the UK but reached number 85 on the US pop chart in 1975. "Another Night" failed to chart in the UK but reached number 71 on the US pop chart in 1975. "(I Will Be Your) Shadow In The Street" failed to chart in the UK but reached number 41 on the US pop chart in 1978.