The Hollies - Concert Review

Kearney Nebraska ,USA, 29^th July 2002 - by Joe Gallagher

Kearney, Nebraska is directly in the middle of the US, equidistant, 1733 miles from Boston and San Francisco. It is a college town and while less than 30,000 in population, there are two nearby communities, Hastings and Grand Island of similar size. Hence the venue name, the Tri-city Arena, which is really a hockey rink.

People from all three of those towns, plus many from smaller communities nearby were there, with my estimate being 2500 to 3000, about what I expected.

The midwest is not a hot-bed of Hollie-mania- to 95% of the audience they were here to see and hear the current incarnations of a couple of groups responsible for a fair number of radio hits from the past and the concert was promoted by the local radio station.

The Lovin' Spoonful took the stage shortly after 7:30 and played about 40 minutes of their hits, and 15 minutes of other's hits. Vocals were handled by Joe Butler, original drummer, and Jerry Yester, a member since 1967. They were pretty good and the crowd was clearly enjoying themselves.

After a 40 minute break The Hollies hit the stage running, playing four songs, flawlessly before the crowd knew what hit them-I Can't Let Go, Here I Go Again, Jennifer Eccles and Just One Look.

They played just over 75 minutes, probably 18-20 songs, and sounded virtually perfect all show. I must admit that I am a middle-aged veteran of hundreds of concerts, and while I have been a serious Hollies fan since their first US album (of which I still have a scratchy copy). The album is quite different from the UK release.

However I have never ever come close to seeing The Hollies, and like many, I was curious/sceptical of Carl Wayne. I mean, how can you replace Allan Clarke?

Of course, how you do it is to just be yourself, and sing the hell out of the songs, with five of the best rock musicians around. You don't replace Allan, you just move on, professionally. Sing the songs, be yourself Ok, they sang a lot of hits, and I have no idea what the normal setlist looks like. I would have liked to have heard "I'm Alive", a big hit in McCook, Nebraska, because my friend Gary Housley, a local DJ, and I loved it, and "Stop in the Name of Love" was unusual, according to Tony Hicks, the apparently ageless lead guitarist.

Bobby Elliott was his flawless self on the drums, while Alan Coates and Ray Stiles proved themselves worthy "new" Hollies. The acoustic "Blackbird" showed their mettle as they joined Tony for the McCartney cover.

Ian Parker played solidly throughout, adding "strings" to "Air That I Breathe" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".

What really struck me, the concert veteran, was how well these guys played and sang. I have seen too many groups who can no longer sound anywhere like they did years ago, and we're left with mixed memories.

With The Hollies, I'm praying that it isn't another 19 years before they return to the US.

I just want to say that if you love 60s rock and roll, and if you love fine musicianship, you owe it to yourselves to see this group if you have a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Joe Gallagher

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