Classic Pop Icons

The Hollies are among those who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

The British rockers will be honoured at the 25th annual induction ceremony in New York on March 15, along with ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff and The Stooges.

Graham Nash, who left The Hollies in 1968, has welcomed the news. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Nash said:

“My absolute first reaction was that I was so pleased for my friend Allan Clarke. He’s my oldest friend. We met when we were five years, I’ve known him for 62 years. I’m already in the Hall of Fame with Crosby, Still and Nash, of course, of which I’m grateful, but this is really an honor for my first band.”

The Hollies formed in Manchester in the early 1960s and chose their name in tribute to Buddy Holly. They joined Parlophone in 1963 as label-mates of The Beatles. Famed for their distinctive vocal harmonies, the group scored twenty UK Top 40 hits in the 1960s – only behind The Shadows with 24 and The Beatles with 21. Among their big hits were “Bus Stop,” “Jennifer Eccles,” “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” and “I’m Alive”, which was their only number one.

The Hollies still tour with two original members, Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott. Original lead singer, Allan Clarke, retired in 1999 and was replaced by Carl Wayne, former lead singer of The Move.

Enjoy The Hollies classic “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

A number of superb songwriters are also to be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, as recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award. A quick look at some of their writing credits reveals some truly classic pop and rock songs:

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil – “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (with Phil Spector), “On Broadway” (with Leiber and Stoller), “We Gotta Get Out of this Place” and “Walking in the Rain

Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich – “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “Be My Baby” and “River Deep, Mountain High”

Mort Shuman (alongside Doc Pomus who was inducted in 2002) – “This Magic Moment,” “Save the Last Dance for Me” and “Viva Las Vegas”

Otis Blackwell - “Great Balls of Fire,” “All Shook Up,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Fever”

Jesse Stone - “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Flip, Flop and Fly” and “Money Honey.”

The Induction Ceremony will be televised live on Fuse on March 15th.

Congratulations to all inductees.