Michael Holliday - The Folks Who Live On The Hill (1961)

[MikeBlitzMag]

Guy Lombardo scored with this one in 1937, and he reportedly was very pleased with what Michael Holliday did with his song. A magnificent talent whose early passing was a tragedy. He is greatly missed.

[goinxnginx]

This is the best arrangement and performance of this song, ever. Just my humble opinion.

[brabazon10]

only what's on Youtube I guess. I do have a 30 minute video of Russ Conway's THIS IS YOUR LIFE, but it's poor quality, and Mike is interviewed on there for about 5 mins.

[cirvine1234]

A gem, a gem

[RMCKIE]

Wonderful song.

[boxey24]

I now wonder why Terence Davies didn't use Michael's version of folks on hill in his film "Of Time and the City "

[boxey24]

Beautiful song, amazing voice, shame about his tragic life, with respect from a fellow Liverpudlian. Another version by Peggy Lee, I think, is featured on the Terence Davies film "Of Time and the City" a must for all scousers. Thanks for posting.

[brabazon10]

did you see him on This Is Your Life when the featured guest was Russ Conway? 1959.

[annie482000]

@brabazon10 Now that, I would've loved to have seen. Are there any clips available? I always liked both Mike and Russ. Both are sadly missed.

[larrydonguy]

Wow! this guy sounded more like Bing than Bing. Fine voice. Tragic life story.

[Mindda]

One of my treasured possessions is a letter from Michael Holliday; he was the first singer I really fell for!

Great to find these old videos ;)

[4205lr]

From an era when singers really sang, not shouted. Volume is not a sign of talent. Michael, along with Matt Monroe were the best singers England produced.

[charlemagne762]

I used to watch the Michael Holiday Show on BBC. He represents a more decent time in our history.

[phulme61]

Yes please that would be great thanx - pdhulme61@yahoo.co.uk

[BernardProfitendieu]

very Bing-like (and that's a good thing!)

[phulme61]

Great singer Michael holliday who sang just like his personal hero bing Crosby, holliday was from Liverpool + died young, I love the song iron fence thanx to my late father Peter who had the song it was a B side on a single, strangely it's the one song u can't get from iTunes?...thanx for uploading..

[UKIPAY]

@phulme61 If you would like "Iron Fence" I can send you it by e-mail.

[trumpsahead]

I heard MH for the first time ever on youtube and my first impression is he not only sounds like Bing Crosby he sings "easier" than BC. Just because someone sounds like BC doesn't mean he's "impersonating". MH obviously had a natural beautiful tenor voice with fantastic resonant low register. Wished I'd heard of him sooner but I'll get my fill now, thanks very very much for posting.

[shilo39]

I followed Micheal from hi Early days on Belfast TV Studios.

He preformed most of Bings Songs hence his was Irelands answer to Bing. He had a great relaxing style.

As for his Suicide well I dont buy that, his Partner in the nightclub was Freddy Mills and they say he shot himself. I beleve both were the victims of Gangland Protection racket.

[kiwihans]

My wife worked with a girl called Olga who met Michael in a pub. He asked her to have a drink with him....next day he killed himself. Very sad. He had a number 1, and a certain amount of fame..but a sad personal life..would be x factor performers, remember...a really happy life is not always fame and fortune, in fact quite the opposite.

[Snedger]

Wonderful warm voice. A very nervous performer as the film shows. Eventually his troubles got the best of him and he took an overdose. A sad end to a decent and talented man.

[Corrie121]

Such a tragic end to this great singers life. He has left a treasure house filled with wonderful renditions of great songs.

Thanks for sharing.

[Grifiki]

If you sing at all? There is always an idiot born before you. Who cant sing. But lives in the past.. Little people..

[eruptionista]

MH had his own sound - check The Story Of My Life

[littlelouie11]

Pleasant voice, but with your eyes close all I can hear is a Bing Crosby inpersonation.

[wepopalot]

wow your right, he does sound like Bing. I've never heard of this guy, but he has a beautiful voice.

[charade97]

Well, he did have a reputation of sounding like Bing!

[Guermantesguermantes]

This song goes round and round in my head like the last remaining taste of opium. Thethe Michael Holliday visuals arenot so great, except for a certain expressive sadness in the eyes.

[charade97]

The expressive sadness was a fearful stage fright and this depressed him very much. I'd like to have heard the songs he could have sung had he lived!

[goinxnginx]

What a great arrangement and performance of this fine song. Thanks so much, UKIPAY, for providing my first exposure to this gifted artist who left us all too soon.

[cordaleme]

I still love Michael Holliday!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this, UKIPAY