96 Hello The Hollies - ( Ain't That ) Just Like Me

Chart  entered  : 30  May  1963

Chart  peak : 25

Number  of  hits : 29

To Manchester, at last! A number of acts forming a version of Merseybeat from the other end of East Lancs Road began to have success in the wake of labels gobbling up bands in the wake of the Beatles's success, and the Hollies were the first to score. Somewhat mercifully, Freddie and the Dreamers failed to have the requisite number of hits to qualify here.

This outfit were formed in Salford, rather than Manchester (often an important difference, as Tony Wilson would have noted) when vocalist Allan Clarke formed a band with schoolfriend Graham Nash on guitar. Like many of their age, they started out with skiffle before morphing into a more "beat" sound as the 60s dawned.

By the time they played at the Cavern in early 1963, they were seemingly good enough to get signed - only for the then lead guitarist, one Vic Steele, to decide that the life of a musician wasn't for him. Wonder if he regretted that one? He was replaced by Tony Hicks, from the town of Nelson, in the North of Lancashire. As well as having the musical chops, he could also harmonise with Clarke and Nash, providing three part vocals as equal (if not better) than what Lennon, McCartney and Harrison were doing.

Their first hit is pretty lightweight lyrical fare - using nursery rhymes as similes for the singer pining over some girl. In it's favour, the band rumble along in rocking fashion, especially the rhythm section. There's some Isley Brothers-esque "yeah!" call and response vocals, and a couple of guitar solos that are pretty atypical for the time and place.

It's not dreadful, just average, hence it not climbing into the top 20, I would imagine. The Hollies would find their own voice, and go on to make some exceptional pop music through the 60s.

 

D.C. Harrison