The Hollies

Reputedly named in tribute to Buddy Holly (though some dispute this), The Hollies rode the wave of the 1960s English beat boom... and hung around to become one of the UK's most successful bands. With catchy melodies and soaring harmonies, they broke into the Top 10 with a cover of Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs' Stay in 1964 and then consistently produced immaculate hit singles like Just One Look, I Can't Let Go, Jennifer Eccles, Carrie Anne and Sorry Suzanne. Frustrated by their teen image, their prime songwriting force Graham Nash left in 1968 and moved to LA where he helped form Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, but The Hollies continued to be a formidable pop force, even recruiting Elton John to play piano as they moved into a more serious direction with the ballad He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother; though The Air That I Breathe in 1974 was their last major hit. Singer Allan Clarke quit in 1999 to be replaced by Carl Wayne, who died of cancer in 2004, but with Peter Howarth singing they made their first new studio album - Staying Power - for over 20 years in 2006 and followed it in 2009 with Then, Now, Always.