With Christmas only nine days off, it seems fitting to celebrate the birthday of a musician whose band chose its name in honor of a flowering plant that’s particularly popular during the festive season. Tony Hicks, lead guitarist/vocalist for The Hollies from their early days in Manchester, turned 75 today. Along with Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, he was an essential part of the innovative three-part harmonies that became the band’s trademark. Hicks has been credited with coming up with the opening riff for several of the group’s classic songs, including “Look Through Any Window,” “The Air That I Breathe,” and “Bus Stop.” Surprisingly, he didn’t create the intro for “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”—that one came from Clarke.
Hicks and fellow December birthday boy Bobby Elliott still perform with The Hollies; the only current members who were onboard during the band’s 1960s impressive run of chart-topping hit singles. The Hollies will make a long-awaited return to America in 2022, including a Chicago stop on April 7. If you need some gift ideas for that avid Hollies fan on your list (or for yourself), Bobby Elliott recently released his autobiography It Ain't Heavy, It’s My Story - My Life In The Hollies, and Graham Nash recently released a book of photos and commentary titled A Life In Focus. And for the gift that keeps on giving, you can find some great photos by following any number of Hollies and Tony Hicks related sites on Instagram.
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