The Hollies - Graham Nash Documentary Pt. 2/2

Covers his Hollie-days up to the time he flew their coop. Includes interview segments with him, Allan Clarke, Bobby Elliott, Henry Diltz, Art Garfunkel, and David Crosby. Apologies for the tracking issues and audio hiss; this came off an old VHS tape, so old I forgot I had it! And sorry my dear Nashmaniacs, I only saved these two bits...I must have been miffed by the narrator's dismissal of the Hollies' music as "predictable pop" and "formulaic tunes."

[@noelmajers6369]

This piece makes clear that not only is Graham Nash an incredible harmony vocalist (and vocalist in general) but also an outstanding songwriter. He wrote many outstanding songs with CS&N (and CSN&Y, notably Our House and Teach Your Children) but I'm flabbergasted to learn that the Hollies rejected another of his gems, Marrakech Express. I'm also in agreement with all on here who speak up for the Hollies - they were an outstanding band as indeed where the Buffalo Springfield and the Byrds. All three bands did amazing work but I see why they needed to come to an end once CS&N discovered their unique harmonic style which has never been equalled, let alone bettered. They were truly made for each other.

[@rnstoo1]

I have a problem with denigrating the Hollies musics as "formulaic" tunes. Graham just went a different way. No need to disparage how good the Hollies were. I wouldn't describe Crosby Stills and Nash numbers as really radical departures from the Hollies ("Our House" was used in UK adverts) I like both

[@parrmik]

Formulaic tunes, are you kidding ? Some of the best pop songs ever written.

[@johnadams5489]

Exactly, POP songs. Nash wanted songs with substance and meaning.

[@macman9831]

If you study music theory you will learn the formula for writing music. It’s one in the same. You do, however, have to have an ear.

[@rubberducksays]

In Graham's memoirs, he says that the Hollies song he just hated was Jennifer Eccles. I love the Hollies, but I can see why he hated that song and just flew straight over to join Stephen Stills and David Crosby. While the Hollies were doing Jennifer Eccles, CSN were doing Wooden Ships, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, and Marrakesh Express.

[@normatible9795]

​@@johnadams5489 please exvuse me but i have yet to hear a graham nash song with substance. All the great songs are by stills and crosby..wind on the water, suite judy blue eyes, guinevere, as i come if age, wooden ships, find the cost of freedom and the like His are love songs! And they are GREAT songs ! So, they have substance after all :)

[@777RockNRollin]

For me , Bobby Elliot's Drumming changed my life to go with all those Hollies medleys ,..Too many classics !!

[@brokenlibrary2591]

Nash speaks so highly of Clarke in his book and felt dreadful about leaving. A series of synchronicities that he could not ignore plus the fact that the Hollies publisher released him from his contract, allowed him to move forward with the songs he had already written (as well as some new ones not yet recorded) & gave him the clout he needed to make a solid contribution. One of the few composers of this era that got to reap the full financial benefit related to his intellectual property.

[@normatible9795]

Graham owes Allan Clark. They were chidhood friends but he left

[@ijeff2005]

I agree. Anyone that dismisses the Hollies music as "predictable pop" and "formulaic tunes" is full of you know what!

[@jopflah416]

MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE???????????? Full of that??

[@bryanpalmer9660]

Graham said said years later "the Hollies were a great band,took me a long time to realize that" and one of the Hollies great strengths was to take songs that sometimes were average even mediocre and turn them into quality pop hits and there's nothing wrong with that

[@Ms531774]

We all have to walk our own paths and finding yourself at a "crossroad" is never easy but Graham made the right decision for himself and music. CSNY have produced so much good music that marks their generation in the USA and The Hollies have produced so much that reflects social life in the UK. We ended up with two instead of one fantastic bands.

[@eduardomondarte9207]

Hollies was so good and CSNY is my favorite also the two had distinct music. Hollies played in electric guitar while CSNY more on accoustic and folk rock style. I love to play in accoustic " Teach your children " and Hollies like to hear " Long Tall woman in a Black dresse. Its natural for famous band break up..Chicago and Peter Cetera and the Beatles. I agree with you both group were Fantastic.

[@jamesj9998]

"and he saved my life, and I will never forget him for it." Sad that old friends can allow bitterness to creep in. Hope they can restore their friendship one day.

[@GeoWhiz287]

Too true. I just listened to 2018 interview in which Graham basically is just short of saying that Crosby was never anything to him, no influence, no nuthin.

[@duffbaker9554]

Sad that they don't have too much longer to do exactly that..

[@XyzO0o2]

Clarke was classy throughout, the better man. The bitter mouthing was Nash's guilty defense. Inconsiderate kid, leaving his wife behind in his new pursuit trips. They split when he left.

[@Poopaloo55]

Thanks a million Deena. This biography (both segments)....just fantastic! As for the bit knocking the Hollies style, it is a Nash bio and that is how he felt at the time(he was wrong of course but it was the right move for him). Growing up and apart from childhood friends is always painful. Allan is charming as always...and so handsome!

[@StanKindly]

Hollies harmony were great, but the other secret weapon was Tony Hicks guitar...

[@E-BikingAdventures]

After Tony Hicks turned 16, it took 20 years for him to turn 17.

[@JRobson1955]

I'm right there with you on that score

[@FAITH-FAY]

Tony hicks is so handsome. Sexy. Beautiful smile.

[@jennifursun3303]

@@scamlikelyusa LOVED Bernies bass

[@johnadams5489]

Michael Oak Tony Hicks guitar playing fit the Hollies. However, Stephen Stills can play rings around him. He excels at guitar, organ, bass, and can and did produce albums. There's no comparison.

[@NAHAJI133]

How I enjoy looking at these moments in time on film. May not be perfect but anything to to within the joining of these amazing musicians is priceless.

[@maggiereeves8585]

I like Graham's voice very much. It was a great surprise to see my favourite singer Art Garfunkel too.

[@robjontay5052]

The RockNRoll family Tree comes from all over the U.S. and England. The Hollies were great. But an artist was looking for a new expression. Like David told Graham: "it's not You it's Them--you're Cool!" And the rest is an important turn in RockNRoll history. 3 bands are over. Move on to the next phase. And a very important one--rocks place in the Protest Songs of the 60s and 70s. Where the songs got radio airplay and were hit records.

[@TheGman858]

The last two albums with nash by the hollies were not formulaic pop seriously some of the best graham nash songs ever written were on butterfly which is a phenomenal forgotten album of the 60s truly a hidden gem

[@dzadza7775]

Thank you for telling this story. Through a busy life I've often wondered how it all happened! The birth of a special sound.

[@357HFC]

Too True. Very well put. Appreciate them for what they have done, not what we wanted them to be/do.

[@scottstrand1874]

Hard to accept but you are absolutely correct.

[@derekstocker6661]

Legendary names and sounds, great documentary and just goes to show what a fabulous line-up the Hollies were, and the later CSN performances, never to be forgotten sounds. Thanks for this, love it.

[@candygeorge8713]

Still remember the day I heard Graham Nash was leaving the Hollies. One of the biggest bands of the day! What a heartbreaking feeling it was. For the fans!

[@alecwhitehouse3959]

They had some top classic hits after Graham Nash left.

[@jasonpeters9295]

@@alecwhitehouse3959 Like what? "Hey, Carrie Ann", "Carousel", or "Bus Stop"?

[@alecwhitehouse3959]

@@jasonpeters9295 Ummmm...like "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" and "The Air That I Breathe"?

[@debbieedwards711]

Thanks for this upload.Loved it so much.G.N. was a big fav of mine his entire career.

[@artysanmobile]

When David Crosby restores your damaged ego, you know you’ve been hanging with the wrong people.

[@XyzO0o2]

Or are the wrong people ...

[@Poopaloo55]

Indeed my friend. Terry's harmony was arguably better than Graham's on some of the subsequent hits. CSNY is an entirely different type of band.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

1967-1970 at Abby Road studios. The Hollies in one studio, the Beatles in another and Pink Floyd in the third studio.

[@KieroUnasBotasAGoGo]

That's my Top 3 indeed lol

[@johnballard6725]

Wow!

[@levistubbs8949]

one of the best live bands..ever !

[@bodensick]

Graham had to leave the Hollies...or we would not have had CSN&Y. Quite a natural progression of his career.

[@georgebur]

Another factor in the departure of Graham Nash, as I recall, was his reluctance to participate in the "Hollies Sing Dylan" album. Am I right? I read that Hollies Sing Dylan was the first album with Nash's replacement, Terry Sylvester - who slotted in VERY well!

[@johnadams5489]

Correct, he found no use in doing someone else's material. Terry Sylvester sang his parts after he left, but I don't know that he was a competent song writer or made the contribution that Nash did in the Hollies.

[@tessflores785]

I agree George Burrell Terry Sylvester slotted in very well. Nash is Nash but Terry did great to the band as a replacement.

[@Harrisonianne]

Other names include Michael Cohen and Dick James

[@777RockNRollin]

I Love Both Groups !!

[@johnballard6725]

I agree. Buffalo Springfield which transmogrified into CSN were both excellent groups.

[@pmcclaren1]

'bus stop' greatest song

[@debradonato7363]

Love The Hollies♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@terrythorley886]

Yep, the hollies my 2nd fav band after the beatles, happy memories

[@gregwalker1913]

Wanted to see what happens after Graham left, knowing the Hollies had hits in the early 1970's. Quite a tangled web of performers and levels of success. People quitting, then returning years later, etc. They actually continue to this day. But, in the end, alot of catchy tunes, played and sung impeccably.

[@TheJcreg]

The Hollies are, were, the Hollies.....Both pre and post GN. They were great before and after. Same for BS and Byrds. Bands evolved all the time..e.g. is/was CSN better before or after NY? Times up....they are/were different. That's all...It all works out beautifully I think. Think of all the great music we enjoyed al these transitions took place. That's a good thing!

[@Offdrive3]

thanks for airing this man...quite a treat!

[@dennisarbini4880]

Offdrive3

[@dennisarbini4880]

Offdrive3

[@lamper2]

the only time a guy leaves a group and becomes sucessfull- AND the group he leaves carries on and still has hits

[@alecwhitehouse3959]

It was a big shot in the arm and a win/win for sixties and seventies music culture.

[@blacbraun]

No that's nonsense. Just one of many good examples is Black Sabbath. They did fine after they kicked Ozzy out and Ozzy did AMAZING on his own.

[@nakedhombre]

lee shafer / how ironic you say “carries on” and think what a big hit for CSNY was the song, Carry On.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

No there are loads more

[@johnballard6725]

Good point bro !

[@SPDY65]

Personally, I can't stand Crosby. Too big an ego for me. Graham did what he had to do but he certainly did not hurt the Hollies. I think they excelled without him.

[@johnballard6725]

David is bonkers.

[@joeyskokowski9405]

Hi great point. The Hollies got even better

[@llongdong]

Croz the best of CSN.

[@normatible9795]

Yes. Even without graham, the hollies with terry were still great! It was allan clark's vocals and frontmanship after all and that drummer, and tiny hicks, t.sylvester

[@bobbeeding8384]

@@normatible9795 And then what? Allan left?

[@yesman2755]

Nash left The Hollies because he could see the future of rock and could probably see the chicken in a basket circuit looming. Very smart guy. The Hollies were content to keep repeating the old formula and that’s why they didn’t go along with Nash’s new tunes. King Midas is an example but over time has become (for me at least) the greatest song they ever recorded. Allan Clarke stated in an interview that they were never the same after Nash left, their albums in the 70’s were totally forgettable, shame because the Hollies were outstanding musicians. It’s one of those “what if” scenarios.

[@XyzO0o2]

Bosh. The Hollies had two No. 1s and another strong charter after they got shed of Narcisstic Nash. Long Cool Woman - formulaic? He Ain't Heavy? Graham threw little fits toward the end, overriding things Allen announced - on live stage - just a jerk. Glad he walked on the high ground among the clouds with CS, made a needed change. Maybe Crosby's meltdown with the FBI, etc. discouraged Nash's own childish streak.

[@robertcavalier6133]

The city that never sleeps ....... plus Mama Cass! Very cool. Graham always had style! If it gets any more groovy -- they will have to carry me out of this library! * Cav *

[@rubberducksays]

Thanks. A great excerpt about Graham Nash.

[@MrBob327]

thanks for taking the time to reply they took care of a large part of my teen years and from time to time i wonder where allan is such a talented guy

[@mosesmoses2000]

Cass Elliot was a Real Linch Pin For The Music..

[@cablonde320]

I agree with katdowli: it makes it sound like the Hollies would not be the fantastic band they were and ARE with Graham...funny they had some really big hits WITHOUT him...strange, huh?

[@edgarpauli9988]

if you are a GN fan you must say , that he got his best time with the hollies. he and allen that was a TRUMP CARD in pop music. This harmony in music was first class. After THE EVERLY BROTERS I never heart a group sang like the hollies

[@b44ts]

@roots66 Just seen your comment and have to correct you. Graham was a Hollie when the decision to do the Dylan Tribute LP was first mooted and Graham is on record as saying it was the wrong thing to do. My information was from the New Musical Express at the time. Best wishes and respect.

[@myoung48281]

Doesn't surprise that he was in the Hollies. That group seems the cream of the cream of that genre of music, stunning music and performances.

[@kande6916]

Graham Nash is not the hollies . They proved that when he left for drugs in america. The hollies where successful without him . Tony could play and sing and write circles around him!!!

[@roots66]

It's good that you found it. I dunno about in the states, but the A&E Bio channel north of the border rarely shows reruns anymore.

[@maureenmcgovern6119]

I Love Art Garfunkel’s Phillies Hat!

[@SouthBayRick]

Thank you for uploading this documentary. I found it very informative and really enjoyed it.

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

CS&N were a cohesive, perfect trifecta of harmony. Young was a fair weather add-on.

[@racketman2u]

very interesting backstory of two great groups, glad this was posted.

[@douglasstrother6584]

"Long cool woman" ~ The Hollies The best songs were written about curvy Babes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWGvhYWGgtWCjK8

[@ronniehaywood2725]

The hollies were always called the groups group for there tight harmony's and there unique lead guitar riffs in my humble opinion Crosby Stills & Nash were well none descript by comparison just my opinion.

[@deplorablepatriot9628]

Agreed my friend!

[@Straker1923]

Top singer and both bands are amazing. Just a parting of the ways really, it happens sometimes in bands.

[@sososo2445]

Yet in the end Graham ended up giving the FU to Crosby. So glad Allan Clarke is on this video.

[@roots66]

@Barnafy As I wrote in the intro, at the time I recorded this I only saved the Hollies sections--sorry.

[@Tom-d1x]

Graham Nash greatly extended his career by going to CSNY and if the Hollies accepted Grahams songs they could have extended their careers for many more years

[@lulamidgeable]

CSN appealed to the 'mere masses' as much as Britpop like the Hollies did.

[@roots66]

@NewHopeNashFan I suspect Graham's desire to leave old Blighty for the land of sunshine, palm trees, and gorgeous gals was just as strong as his artistic ambitions...so he may have split the Hollies and moved stateside whether he had C&S waiting in the wings or not. However, I hear he is said to have been quite impressed with their post-"Hollies Sing Dylan" material...along the lines of, "If you'd been doing stuff like this back then I wouldn't have left!" So who knows...

[@cherrypickerguitars]

CS&N. they began, they met, they blew each other away.......in Cas’s living room (not kitchen). I wasn’t there that afternoon/evening, ( i was at Peter Tork’s that day) but I was there the next day, and heard ALL about it !

[@donniemoder1466]

2:33, that yellow scarf is cray cray! Who do you think you are impressing with that David? LOL.

[@decemberschild1504]

It was the 60's! Kaftans, frock coats, fur vests and paisley!! In Wild Tales Nash says one of his first jobs was at a men's clothing store. I think he later invested in one too with his early Hollies earnings. He also bought a boutique for his wife Rose. He liked to dress sharp back in the day.

[@rogertrew]

McGwinn and the Byrds did just fine without Crosby,

[@asu.jaguar6739]

No they didn't!

[@DZobe-nz7dl]

@@asu.jaguar6739 um yeah they did ..actually made better records without crosby. People seem to over rate crosby more so on reputation than chops. He really wasnt much of a songwriter and basically was a back up singer for whoever actually wrote the song

[@TomMcRand]

wow. crummy editing job guys

[@Harrisonianne]

Unfortunately, they needed to stay in the charts with successful pop tunes because Michael Cohen (band's first manager) was avoiding taxes for several years which ended in a rupture between the Clarke-Nash-Hicks society by mid 1967. Not really that they dismissed Graham's compositions, but the fans (mainly) didn't want to follow that change - speaking about Butterfly and their psychedelic oriented sound tunes.

[@larrymangus2934]

The girl you stayed with must have been super inspiring, lucky guy

[@nextsongs4god480]

They couldn’t stand in the way of CSN. They were gonna do the theme for Woodstock

[@peterfriend8084]

I really hate how the Hollies get disparaged in these documentaries as a simplistic pop group that were not “progressive” enough for Nash, and that CSN were akin to the Second Coming of music. The Hollies later recorded their Dylan tribute album and had some more top 10 hits, including “Long Cool Woman” which was a more potent song than anything Stills or David Crosby ever DREAMED of!

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

Allan Clarke was one of the Best Rock Vocalists ever and he had an affair with Marianne Faithful before Jagger got in! Lucky Bastard

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

B*llocks

[@mrb4886]

There is a story where the Hollies did a festival and ABBA was there too. As they were getting ready for the airport to leave the brunette (sorry) came over and kissed Tony on the lips. He looked sheepish and they all left. Tony was one for the ladies...

[@douglascarter5943]

AND is there a part three? A very strange ending

[@roots66]

As explained above, unfortunately I only saved the Hollies portion of the program.

[@eugeneendres5846]

+Douglas Carter Yeah, really. I'm wondering the same thing.

[@murrayrutledge5617]

i dont care what anyone says but The Hollies version of blow blow blowing in the wind is still the best ever some one had to sing Dylans amazing songs as he wasnt very good at singing them himself tho i like some of his other work with The Travelling Wilberries

[@roots66]

@MrBob327 In the wake of their RRHOF induction, there is much hope and speculation among Hollies fans that perhaps Graham and Allan will reunite on a studio project. But as far as I know, this has yet not gone beyond the fan-wishing-and-hoping stage. That Steve Howe track is on youtube by the way, so check it out!

[@glennwall9853]

"A few weeks later"? The pics said to have been at the Whiskey look like '68 when they said it was '66.

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

Thanks for posting, roots!

[@tomlehr861]

Way ahead of their day, raw talent

[@ejdiii333]

Crosby Stills and Nash, Egotist x 3

[@debiedog1]

The Hollies had more records in the Top 40 than The Beatles !!!!!

[@MrsBobby-gy5of]

debiedog1 The Beatles was the greatest ever but the Hollies were very close. Every hit the Hollies made was so different . Graham Nash was the girls heartthrob .Remember one night he was teasing the girls by holding his hand out to the crowd and got pulled off the stage and whipped into a crowd of girls. Great times.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

The Beatles hold the record for having 7 songs in the top 10 in one year. In 1968, the Bee Gees came in second with 6 songs in the top 10. The Hollies are great too.

[@broman700]

Uh, wrong!

[@stevenrlivingston]

debiedog1 perhaps. But allot closer to 40 then #1’s

[@decemberschild1504]

I always enjoy reading the responses when this point is raised. The Hollies (and several other bands, including the Stones and Elvis) had more hits, world-wide than the Beatles. A hit is defined, I think, as Top 40, and not just in America or the UK. They released more singles over a longer period of time. The Hollies were even in the Guinness Book for a while, for just that fact (1970's or 80s). But, overall, the Beatles sold a lot more records. Check it out. Or believe what you like.

[@1mtpappas]

Have any more these segments been put together? Seem like there should be 1 or 2 more. Good job, and Thanks, mTp

[@johnadams5489]

Formula Pop Songs were dying out, so Nash wanted to create music with meaning instead of You Love me, I love you pop songs. Yawn. Nash made the right decision. CSN my all time favorite group.

[@decemberschild1504]

I always loved Graham Nash in both the Hollies and CSN/Y. And Songs for Beginners, love that!! I wore out 2 vinyl copies! Then I read Wild Tales 2 or 3 years ago. The way he enabled Crosby's addiction to keep him touring and making money (Nash admitted it) broke my heart. But he just rationalized it all away, along with a lot of other bad/hurtful decisions. Such a disappointment. Same old story I guess. Too much ego, fame, money and drugs at too young an age. Easy to get messed up.

[@jimmyhoffa2530]

I farted and ruined my acid trip

[@roots66]

@b44ts No worries. Hey, he may have been against doing that record, but he didn't seem to have a problem belting out "The Times They Are A-Changin'" on stage with them in '68. (And I dunno if this is true, but I've also heard that the return to matching suits around that time, even the cringe-worthy white ones he can be heard making fun of during the CSNY Fillmore East "Four Way Street" shows, was his idea too.)

[@danielmesery2904]

All talent

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

when was the original doc made

[@pflynn581]

I think the Hollies did much more than formulaic pop.A bit patronising.

[@roots66]

@MrBob327 Sadly, the combination of decades of smoking plus belting it out on stage wreaked havoc on his voice. What's left of it is rather too husky and gravelly for the strain of performing Hollies-type material, so he has retired. His last recording that I know of was a '99 collaboration with Steve Howe on Dylan's "Don't Look Twice It's All Right"--and I think he sounds quite good on it, all things considered.

[@ironmonkey6300]

Just imagine if a Crosby stills n Nash reunion was to happen , they would have to shut the country down , nobody will show up for work, n the venue is WoodStock, guess we can all. Imagine n dream lol

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

..when are we gonna get to watch pt3 etc?

[@gilmangus83]

Well, now Nash and Neil Young hate Crosby and Stills stays diplomatic and Nash says Crosby tore the heart of CSNY or CSN. Do these men stay true to what they said before the acrimony? My god, time on earth is limited. So brush aside your egos and hatreds and mean girl profiles and meet like brothers at the funeral of CSN.

[@MrBob327]

will alan ever play with the hollys again????

[@johnballard6725]

We'd all love be to see that !

[@b44ts]

@celtsoundman Sounds like the introduction to Bus Stop by the Hollies.

[@kingfish4242]

Both groups did ok :)

[@oneandatwo]

I think the Hollies were better than CSN.

[@sheilasams9515]

You are a TONE DEAF person then if you think that,who has been more successful? Had more #1 Hits and is considered one of THE GREATEST GROUPS OF ALL TIME? 🤔

[@jimbuck2996]

Damn right the Hollies were better than CSN!

[@decemberschild1504]

@@sheilasams9515 Quick check of CSN/Y shows no number one singles. Two albums made it to number one. CSN has lots of street cred, but not the "hits."

[@sheilasams9515]

@@decemberschild1504 My Bad! I thought some of their songs had but your right it was their albums that made it I still love them anyway 😄🤘🤘✌

[@decemberschild1504]

@@sheilasams9515 Actually I like them both. And they both have been in my life since I can remember. Hollies make me happy. CSN make me mellow. That pretty much covers it for me!

[@gardengirl694]

Is there a documentary about Allan?

[@deanpd3402]

David bunghole Crosby

[@jennhill8708]

Who are these people w all the negativity? Grahaem is wonderful, but needs a group. The Hollies were fine, but they didn't SAY anything about social justice, etc.

[@trevorkinzie4267]

Kevin *sizzlin* Bacon

[@nilslundberg6930]

graham littlefinger nash

[@sprucetree49]

i think the Hollies' best songs are better than almost anything by Crosby Stills and Nash, who tended to sound like The Chipmunks. Neil Young's arrival was most welcome, giving them some balls and grit.

[@roots66]

@b44ts I think you misunderstood me a bit. By "post-'Hollies Sing Dylan' material," I was referring to the albums released *after* the Dylan covers LP.

[@masudhusain3125]

Does anyone know what the song is at the opening of this clip at 10seconds?

[@johnballard6725]

Interesting that unlike most other successful groups the Hollies didn't usually write their own songs.

[@roots66]

While many of their biggest '60s hits were by outside writers like Graham Gouldman, they did compose a LOT of their own material.

[@unclebobunclebob]

"he saved my life and I'll never forget him for it." Well, you have.