The Hollies - Concert Review

Lewisham Theatre, 23^rd April 1999 - by Mick and Betty Fernee

WOW!

The Hollies seem to go from strength to strength. It was the second time we had seen them this tour, despite set backs with illness, they were just brilliant!

Allan Clarke, the proud grandfather of Mark, was clearly chuffed that Mark was in the audience. He explained that he had recently made a present of a harmonica to him, and then went on to treat us with a display of his own superb harmonica talents. He hoped Mark would pick up a few tips. Watch out Allen you never know!

The star of the show has just got to be Alan Coates. He had suffered a severe back injury and was clearly in pain. However, in the tradition of the true professionals they all are, he went on to perform. Supported in a semi-recumbent position in a rocking chair, back stage (in Ray Stiles’ usual position), no one would ever have known what difficulties he must have been experiencing.

We brought my mother to the performance. She is in her seventy’s and had never seen the group live. She has not stopped talking about the night since. "That boy at the front who plays the banjo, (She means Tony Hicks), he can’t be one of the originals. He is so young looking

I know we will never forget the evening, a performance many others both new and old would be proud to strive to achieve. Could they appeal to such a wide age group?

Thanks to all involved, the Autumn 1999 UK tour cannot come soon enough.

Mick and Betty Fernee, Welling, Kent.

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