The Hollies - Concert Review
Mercedes Event Centre, Germany, 6th July 2000 - by Lesley Haywood
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New Line-Up plays its first concert at the prestigious Mercedes Event Centre in Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart, Germany.
Organised by Arnim Kilgus
Friday 7th July 2000
Show report by Lesley Haywood
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We arrived in Stuttgart at about 10.00am after a short delay and took a taxi to the hotel where we had a short sleep to help us cope with the expected late night to come.
After coffee with Carl Wayne in the bar and a quick photo session with the band we were whisked of to the concert hall in some luxurious chauffeur driven Mercedes cars complete with all the latest technological gadgets including computerized street maps letting us know exactly where we were at any time and where and when to turn next.
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Arnim Kilgus being introduced by |
About two years ago The Hollies played a similar show for Arnim on the shop floor of the Mercedes factory where the cars were actually made. This time, however, the setting was the fabulous Mercedes Event Centre belonging to Daimler Chrysler. It was a purpose built conference/show centre and a great place for the band to play.
As the audience began to arrive and the hall fill up, the excitement and anticipation began to grow. The lights dimmed as Ian Parkers intro music began and then the moment everyone had been waiting for, the band came on stage and soon they were into the first song, "Stay". The sound was really good and immediately it was clear that Carl had a great voice very capable of fitting in with the rest of the lads.
Many of the great Hollies Hits followed through the first half, "Here I Go Again", "Jennifer Eccles", "Bus Stop", "King Midas", "Sorry Suzanne" and more but, notably, this section finished with "Blowin' In The Wind". This was particularly well received by the German audience as it had been a big hit out here.
Carl's voice is very different to Allan Clarke but the harmonies sound great and the songs as good as ever. Throughout the interval, people gave the impression that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Certainly the English fans there, Chris and Sheila Bowen and Alison and Yvonne Larkin were and so was I.
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Carl and Tony both endeared themselves to the audience by talking to them in German at various times throughout the show. Carl is actually quite a linguist and is also able to speak in Italian, Spanish, and Russian.
Ian did his walkabout during "We're Through" which was a total surprise to most of the audience who had not seen him do this as he has been doing back home. They loved it.
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This was followed up with a rock and roll section that had the audience up and dancing to "Johnny B Good", "Lets Dance" (sung brilliantly by Ray Stiles) and of course, Long Cool Woman.
I think Carl shook hands with almost everyone who was up dancing at the front and the audience showed their warmth and appreciation to each member of the band as they were individually introduced by giving them all a well earned standing ovation.
I am so glad that I was able to get across to Germany with Rob to see the show and hear the band for the first time with the new line-up. Allan Clarke's uniquely distinctive voice can never be duplicated but Carl Wayne has a great voice of his own and the songs sounded great. I am now really looking forward to the Autumn tour because after seeing and hearing this show, I know it will be a great success.
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I would like to thank Arnim Kilgus and Ulli Eichblatt for putting this show together and making it possible for us to see the The Hollies again in Germany.
Not only is it good to see the band but also to meet friends not seen for many months.
Both Rob and I would especially like to thank Arnim, Gertrud, Konstantin and Clemens for their hospitality and for making our stay so enjoyable.