The Hollies Long Dark Road 1973 Live

[margiaustralia]

Its absolutely wonderful to see Tony and Terry really going for it. Its like they have been let off the leash. Bobby, as usual is brilliiant and what a voice Mikael has. Really guys its like you have been reborn. Your performance is beyond belief - fantastic.  Marvellous musicians who get better with age. Tony you are brilliant as front man.

[kathykay2010]

THE HOLLIES..BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE..No matter what the

line up..the boys always wind up knocking it out of the park...WHEN

YOUR HOT YOUR HOT...(:-)

[ocarrington]

Awsome they were exciting ... Tony was exciting he really got into the singing I have never seen that before...the absence of Allan seems to have made them all come up a notch. I enjoyed this thanks for posting this. I wish they would come to the US agiain!

[LadieBug357]

@ocarrington OMG- were these boys havin' fun, or what?! switching up their instruments and really getting into it! so much fun to watch - thanks for posting!

[someindian]

sounds .........AWFUL..!..

[BCK]

Tony Hicks on bass!!

[dbailey62]

@BCK Bernie Calvert is playing the organ.

[Aibajunno]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!

[leadadde]

I'm a forty six year old librarian, and loved music all my life. Beatles and deaf school my first love. The Who when i was a teenager, and now. punk, new wave, bossa nova. anything that's good really. I've been going to sleep with distant light for over three years now. Got to leave it now. It's the best album never to be known or recognised. Enjoy it knowing not many other people get it, 70's Hollies? you're avin a laugh son. A bit like second honeymoon (deaf school)

[MrElcamino1970]

Rough shape but I still love it

[Waynescott1]

Yes and better than even the Eagles, sadly, no stations playued theirn stuff..yet they just were not The Hollies sand Allan!

[dbailey62]

@Waynescott1 Yes, I can accept that. They were a different band without Allan and in some ways I liked them better with Rickfors. Perhaps it was the instrumental depth of Rickfors or perhaps it was the deeper voice that made the band sound like a totally different group. It also seemed to me that the Rickfors albums are somehow more homogenious. Their seemed to be a unity of sound ... a different use of guitars ... a less pop / more rock sound. Perhaps depth is the best word.

[atombomb31458]

wow what a performance! thanks for posting this gem

[tatethompson1234]

tony hicks on bass and lead vocals,nice

[Wishyouawishxxx]

Tony is so kick ass.

[owensclock]

Tony Hicks is not only doing most of the lead vocals here but is also playing bass.

He's usually on lead guitar. I remember Tony did lead vocals on the older Hollies hits as well on this show. I wasn't there but remember seeing it on TV. Mikael Rickfors is obviously a great singer but may not have had all the words down. Just a guess.

[hdwell]

Long before MTV (in its early form), every friday night was IN CONCERT. That was the only TV venue on in that time slot for rock n roll. Loved it. This is one of the Hollies most underrated tunes- I always liked it.

[XMIR10C]

Long Daarrk Road

[setenteromusic]

AMAZING SONG AND BAND!!!

[faeryquene]

♥Love it!♥ Tony is so HOTT here!♫

Thanks for posting this! :)

[luvsmuzik1]

One of the best performances ever!!....Michael Rickfors can sing!...TERRY, TONY and BOBBY!......so good.....brings tears to my eyes!!...WOW!!!

[46664arcticTC]

Great performance from Tony and Mikael. TY. -:)

[katdowli]

What I really like from this live version is Tony's solo near the very end, its fantastic.

[moorlock2003]

It is not Tony's solo. Tony is playing bass on this track. Mikael is playing lead guitar. It is his solo that is heard here.

[citybeat60]

I think this is a great song, one of my favorite post Nash efforts by the Hollies. I do prefer the version with Allan singing lead. But Tony and Terry do a good job here.

[EJGGEV]

Greatest band ever what voices simply magnficent. They were modest men as well that's why they're not in the rock hall of fame.

[PituPisla]

Maybe Allan sang this first, but Tony wrote this song with his friend, so it belongs to him as much as to Allan.

[ne007ne]

one word BRILL

[AngelaRed]

now that I think of it..can anyone explain why to me why Tony didn't move up to lead vocals, and they hired this other guy???

[chakahfatah]

i agree with you, tony and terry could have both handeled lead well, and i never heard bern sing so idk about him

[DissyDissy]

nah tony`s voice to mellow good for certain songs but not others and mik is brill at end of this his voice so strong

[moorlock2003]

Mikael Rickfors was hired to replace Allan Clarke as lead singer, but the band got so much more. Rickfors was hired for with his powerful voice, amazing instrumental versatility, and his songwritng ability.

[psychobollox]

i think you're right... can't expect MR to be a replacement for AC, but it's clear that he brought something different to the band... and that didn't go amiss, judging by this performance!

[moorlock2003]

Right. Rickfors was a new and exciting addition to the band. This performance clearly shows that the band was up to the challenge of carrying on without Clarke, met it head on, and surprised a lot of people at how terrific they could be. There was a freshness to the band during this time that couldn't be denied.

[rocksinger45]

A marriage that was bound to fail, the Hollie's came to Los Angeles on tour with Rickfors and stopped by Tower Records on Sunset where I was working. I remember everybody was walking up to Bobby Elliot and asking him "where's Allan" as if they didn't know. I think they were surprise that everyone cared about Allan Clark ... I did !!!

[moorlock2003]

But what a marriage. I saw them at the Civic and even though they didn't go over that great they were great to me. I was knocked out. Saw them at the Roxy in '75 and they were good with Allan but basically an oldies act by then. For an 18 month period (1972-3), The Hollies were sublime.

"Romany" is the band's best album; no meddlesome Ron Richards (with all due respect, RIP) to tell them what to do. Live they were fantastic despite audience apathy. Some people can't accept change that's all.

[moorlock2003]

Rickfors was a far better musician. He played lead guitar, bass, congas, harmonica. And what a singer.

[moorlock2003]

The news of Clarke's departure was known. It was in the press. Some people just don't read I guess. What about Ken Barnes' big article on The Hollies in Phonograph Record Magazine? There was also a piece in Hit Parader. It's not like it is now, with the Internet. A person had to actually make an effort to get information back in 1972. But The Hollies never got good media coverage in the US anyway. By '72 the press were more interested in Graham Nash smoking weed with Crosby.

[rocksinger45]

Yeah I know what you mean about the press but to the average fan maybe but to us working the ditch's in the record store ... we knew and I think it was more like teasing him (Bobby) there is only one voice in the Hollies and that was Allan. The concert was great Billy Preston was the show opener at the Santa Monica Civic and when he was through all the brothers had no interest in seeing the Hollies and left so we moved up to get better seat.

[moorlock2003]

I stayed in the back smoking weed with some guys who were passing a joint. Those were the days.

[rocksinger45]

Ha .... you might have been the guy who past me a joint. :) Now lets see was it that skunk stuff from up north. (:-{()

I don't think these cats from England ever had it that good.

Peace Bro

RS45

[AngelaRed]

K..i have the album version on my mp3 player. you sings lead on it? Tony? (I sure to god hope so..he's more entitled to Hollies Lead than Mikael is)

[katdowli]

Allan sings lead on the album version.

[tanglewoodinn]

OK, here's the deal, there is no other version of LDR on youtube...so this one rules.

[DissyDissy]

there is

[Jackophil]

It's a matter of taste. I've always loved the song but I don't much like this version.

Have you heard the version on the record, sung by Allan Clarke?

[moorlock2003]

The Hollies rock out like NEVER BEFORE with this dynamite live version of "Long Dark Road".

[Jackophil]

I'm sorry, I'm a lifelong Hollies fan, but this is awful.

It is a (Great) Allan Clarke song from Distant Light, and no-one else should try to sing it.

[moorlock2003]

You are out of your mind. This is FANTASTIC.

[ronniedarkguitar]

A great rendition of LDR! I like this key better than the studio version.

[evilofisalm]

love-this=song.have-you-heard-­the-hollies-live-ver sion-1983-with-graham-nash-eve­n-better-than-this-t en-mins-long-tho[my-space-bar-­broken[sorry]recorde d-in-kings-island-usa-ITS-ON-Y­OU-TUBE

[chf53]

Love this song. Does anyone have it on record that they could post. I don't think the live version is as good as the recording. Still love it though.

[sagittoo]

Hey Moorlock,

Didn't we carpool that nite at Santa Monica Civic?

[moorlock2003]

I was fortunate that I was able to go to that show. I was only 18 at the time and I talked my dad into taking me and picking me up afterwards.

[sagittoo]

Bernie was on keyboards. I saw them on this tour in Santa Monica, CA. I expected to see Alan and didn't know what was going on until they introduced Rickfors as the new lead singer. They put on a nice show though the audience was taken in by a guy who had second billing, Billy Preston.

[moorlock2003]

The audience that was taken in by Billy Preston was a black audience who came to see him and then left.

[chakahfatah]

where was bern calvert, tony is on bass?

[moorlock2003]

Bernie is playing organ, prominently featured in this great performance.

[XMIR10B]

Who are the supergroup 7??

[XMIR10B]

Sorry, Nash has earned his superstar as a founding supergroup member (there are 7, can you list them??)

[sapphiretaurus]

Not nearly as heavy as "I Can't Let Go," "Long Cool Woman," "He Aint Heavy," "Curly Billy," Don't Let Me Down," "Pay You Back With Interest," "Gasoline Alley Bred," and numerous other gems recoreded by the Hollies when Allan Clarke was with them.

[XMIR10B]

The sound they are missing here is Graham Nash you fools

[XMIR10B]

You people seem to be focusing on "minor" members. How about Nash? Supergroup founder.

[moorlock2003]

You are the fool. The Hollies were BETTER without Nash. More progressive and creative.

[bee23lovehollies]

Tony is a great singer, love his voice and he sings this really well.

[moorlock2003]

With this lineup The Hollies showed they could really rock.

[Hansa94]

This is the 70's....this is more 70's music, 60's was not that much rock!

[Hansa94]

Love it when Tony sings lead.......a great song! I love The Hollies!!!!!

[JustaSideOrderOfLove]

TONY IS AMAZING!!! :-D LOVE HIM!

[lyndloo]

dont like this sound from the Hollies Its just not their stlye!and is certainly missing ALLAN CLARKE! theres only one sound that is distinctivley theirs !didnt even like the song !

[moorlock2003]

I don't like you, so there!

[sapphiretaurus]

She's entitled to her opinion, Moorlock. There's no reason to be rude.

[moorlock2003]

When someone makes what is clearly an idiotic comment, I will call it that. Period.

[sapphiretaurus]

I could care less.

[moorlock2003]

Thank you, now good riddance to you.

[moorlock2003]

Talk about RUDE. You truly are!

[sapphiretaurus]

You truly are! And good riddance to you!

[moorlock2003]

Good riddance to you, bad rubbish. You need to check yourself in to a mental institution PRONTO.

[sapphiretaurus]

No, you need to check yourself into one, and the sooner the better. I guess belittling Allan and Graham up and down the Hollies's official message board isn't enough for you. You have to do it here, too.

[shootthebusstop]

We all have our own opinions on things. We may not always agree, but basic manners are a must.Don't let the band down by being bad mannered and aggressive. You are entitled to your opinions, as we all our, but music isn't life or death, it's there to entertain and make us feel happier.Think on!!!!!!!!!

[moorlock2003]

I'm so glad the likes of you doesn't like this. That only gives the many of us who think this is one of the GREAT Rock and Roll live performances ever by any band, all the more to enjoy.

[ne007ne]

G R E A T

[coverman73]

Looks like Tony is centre stage as lead vocalist.He's got just enough power to carry it off.Much more and he'd be stretched,because they're all cranking it up. It's a live concert,the song allows it and spontaneity is in the air.Ricfors has the power to belt the song over the finishing line

[moorlock2003]

Yes, the band is at its BEST here. Not a recreation of the studio recording, but an exciting new version, at a slighter faster tempo. Rickfors plays lead guitar and harmonica. He literally gives me chills when his powerful singing takes over at the end. Fantastic. The studio version with Allan Clarke is wonderful, of course, but this rocking live performance unexpectedly tops it.

[maipu741]

My answer was for Livinghere 1234

[oxalicman]

The 70's. That's where the fun's at. Thanks for posting

[hewie73]

If I ever make it across the pond to see these guys I hope they sing this song and I hope they give Tony the lead.

[Raughwe]

The Hollies are the most underrated band ever.

[Kammler03]

As a Fan of them,since my childhood-I must say,that You are absolutely right!!!

Best Regards...

[livinghere1234]

Excuse my ignorance, can you explain why?

[maipu741]

Cos The Hollies,for example,obtained 19 top five in the 60 (Beatles and Stones were in the same level)and in the 70 they made a super hit Long Cool Woman,(and The air that I breath too).However this band cant be in the Hall of Fame.For this reason,and for the fantastic vocal harmonies,the hollies are the most underrated band

[Maribee1CD]

I love this song! Too bad it came out a bad reception...yeah...well I saved it to favs anyways..smile...Peace

[DissyDissy]

talking about the romany album there was a better album out on the road only released originally in germany but been rereleased and the boys wrote it all

[veronicastocking]

Romany was an underated album, "Jesus Was A Crossmaker", "Courage of Your Convictions," etc. Wow, that's 1972???

[Marko661]

Allan or Mikhael?? I think it all boils down to presonal taste. I prefer Allan, but mainly because that is the voice I always associated with the Hollies. After Allan returned it seemed impossible to buy anything with Mikhael's voice, it seems the Hollies tried to pretend Allan never left - almost like the old Soviet Union for rewriting history.

[chirpy12345]

Love this clip. Rickfors gave so much to the band...listen to Down River when he cranks it up a notch. Also listen to If It Wasn't For The Reason...

You can also listen to songs like Slow Down Go Down, where even in the harmony he is a dominant force.

I love Clarke to bits for his efforts, but Rickfors did so much in such a short time. Bravo Mikael!

[shootthebusstop]

Never heard him sing so after reading your comments listened to this a few times and the Baby and ok I never heard him live but if you go immediately back to Allan you just can't compare. Rikfors can belt out a tune theres no doubt but he in no way is as beautiful sounding as Allan.

[aabacchi]

No, I don't think Rickfors can be compared to Alan Clark. Alan is much superior.

[DissyDissy]

who`s prig/

[moorlock2003]

One could even argue that Rickfors is a better singer than Clarke. Well, maybe not better, but equally great.

[rudedanny]

(2): Having said all this, I'll have to admit I like both line-ups equally as much. And I find it very interesting that in 1999, when Allan threw in the towel, he was replaced by Carl Wayne, a singer with a voice very much like Rickfors'.

[nielsnz]

Oh Danny, Michael was good in the band, but Tony jealous? I think he puts the band before concerns like that. Fact is the public saw Allan as the voice of the Hollies. tony was absolutely devastated when Allan left and it is to his credit he pushed and replaced him. Why do men always make these picky comments about Tony -- is it jealousy.

[rudedanny]

(1): I'm not jealous. As a guitarist I admire Tony Hicks and think he is very underrated. And yes I agree, and I have it from very reliable sources close to the band, that Tony thinks of the band first. But apart from the public not agreeing to Mikael Rickfors being the new voice of The Hollies and therefore the lack of commercial success at the start of this line-up, I still feel there's was more to Mikael leaving the band so soon.

[gemdavey]

Great harmonica player!

[elvis723]

incredible version-the Hollies with Rickfors were GREAT and I was lucky to catch this tour. I was into ROMANY and DISTANT LIGHT big time.I am 53 years old-and to this day still my favorites. some say the BEATLES...others THE ROLLING STONES...but I say THE HOLLIES!

[moorlock2003]

You're SO right! I saw them too on this tour. Unbelievably great.

[moorlock2003]

Check out Mikael Rickfors' brand new website

[Meengreen999]

If you don't like this live version, then you don't like rock and roll, period.

[moorlock2003]

I couldn't agree more. THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL!

[Tuddyboy11]

Super version of a super tune by a great band!!!

[CaptMikeOR]

Those of you who saw this lineup were very lucky. I too enjoyed the Rickfors lineup, and still think Romany is the only Hollies album to stand the test of time. Although they certainly produced many wonderful singles over the years. Thanks for posting this.

[Meengreen999]

I agree. "Romany" is The Hollies' masterpiece.

[moorlock2003]

Ironic, isn't it? A band known for their singles with one lead singer puts out their best ever ALBUM with a different lead singer.

[wasserdagger]

Thanks for posting this, but.... sorry, but I don't like this live version of the song. I fondly remember the original single when it came out back in 1972 or so, and it sounded much better. This version is way too rough, with an annoying harmonica that "junks" it up. The original single is a VERY pretty song, lots of melodious harmony in the vocals, etc.!!!

[moorlock2003]

Then go and listen to the studio recording and leave this fantastic live version for us to enjoy. Bye bye.

[wasserdagger]

Yeah I'll certainly do that moorlock, and I advise others to do the same if they want to hear a much higher quality version of this song. Good day.

[HumGuitar]

I agree with you wasserdagger. Don't worry about what moorlock2003 says, apparently people with different opinions are not aloud to view and comment on videos. That is what youtube is all about, in my opinion, having a friendly discussion, finding people with similar interests, not necessarily always agreeing about everything.

[HumGuitar]

aloud=allowed

[Meengreen999]

You are really a pathetic prig.

[HumGuitar]

Actually, I like Rickfors harmonica and guitar playing. It's his voice that I don't think fits the Hollies. Moorlock2003 and I have a history of debating this issue.

[Meengreen999]

You are a very narrow-minded person. I feel sorry for people like you.

[sapphiretaurus]

You're the one who's narrow-minded. Shut up and get lost.

[wocmfm]

i agree the hollies should have kept this line-up...this clip is from the `IN CONCERT`tv series.does anybody have the remainder??? 4 other songs,includes BUS STOP

[moorlock2003]

This was indeed the best lineup; exciting and fresh, not a 1960s nostalgia band like they always were with Allan Clarke. I saw them on Nov. 22, 1972 at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, Ca, where this performance was taped for the "In Concert" show. (The only other song that has surfaced on video is "Carrie-Anne".)

[sapphiretaurus]

They couldn't because they weren't doing well with it. Allan Clarke wanted to return and the Hollies wanted him to come back, so he did, and things worked out better for them.

[sapphiretaurus]

P.S. They were not a '60s nostalgia band when Allan Clarke was with them.

[susanott]

The Hollies really rock out on this! Mikael Rickfors was a great addition to their lineup.

[moorlock2003]

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to see them live with Rickfors. Incredible!

[wocmfm]

i`m curious.where did you see the hollies??did you tape the show?and what was the set list????

[moorlock2003]

This video proves how fantastic-sounding the band was during this period. It also proves that getting a new lead singer in a band can really inject new life and energy into the act.

[moorlock2003]

The Hollies perform their hit "Long Dark Road" featuring new member Mikael Rickfors from Sweden. This is a rocked-up version of the song, with Rickfors blazing away on lead and harmony vocals, harmonica and lead guitar. Tony Hicks lead vocal with Rickfors taking over for the finish. Terry Sylvester on harmony vocals and rhythm guitar, Bernie Calvert on organ, Bobby Elliott on Drums. Tremendous stuff, this.

[rudedanny]

Bernie plays the organ.

[rudedanny]

Wow!... so whoever it was that said Mikael Rickfors was shy on stage with the Hollies should see this video! Awesome harmonica playing and at the end he even gives Tony a run for his money with that solo on guitar. Makes me wonder whether homesickness and so on was the only reason for Rickfors leaving the band. Maybe Tony Hicks wasn't happy to have an equally as good guitar player in the band?

[treasurefromthedeep]

I don't think so, Hicks speaks very fondly of Rickfors and those years. I think he might have liked having another guitarist. Rickfors reason for leaving was Clarke's return and the fact that the Hollies were failing commercially with him.

[rudedanny]

I'm aware of those reasons and know they are valid, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was a subconsious thing too... we guitarists are a strange lot...

[moorlock2003]

Rickfors was a MAJOR talent and asset to the band. He played lead guitar, bass, harmonica, keyboards, and congas on stage.

[Timster2]

The odd thing for me in this clip is that Tony is playing bass. Where's Bernie? It's strange to see the band as a quartet.

[afiendishthingy]

Wow, Tony Hicks sounds great! It very strange to see them without Allan Clarke, though!