VIDEO: East Lancashire's The Hollies in rock hall of fame (From Lancashire Telegraph)

VIDEO: East Lancashire's The Hollies in rock hall of fame

10:50am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

East Lancashire band The Hollies have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Industry insiders lauded the group behind hits He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, and I’m Alive, alongside other 2010 inductees such as Genesis, ABBA and Iggy Pop.

The Hollies were inducted into the Cleveland institution by Steve van Zandt, from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band at a New York ceremony.

Today guitarist Tony Hicks, 64, originally from Bankhouse Road, Nelson, and drummer Bobby Elliott, 68, who grew up in the village of Roughlee, are still part of The Hollies and are touring the UK this year.

Another founder member was from Burnley – bassist Eric Haydock, also 68, who originally teamed up with Allan Clarke and Graham Nash as The Deltas.

Later Elliott joined the band, replacing tub-thumper Don Rathbone.

Haydock was replaced in 1966 by Bernie Calvert, now 68, from Nelson, who was living in Kyan Street, Burnley, and working as an electrical engineer when he got The Hollies’ call.

Elliott and Hicks could not make the American bash as they were performing in London and the gong was picked up by Clarke and Nash on behalf of the band.

A Hall of Fame spokesman said The Hollies’ “rich, multi-part harmonies – sung over consistently sharp, beat-group arrangements” made them one of the most appealing and popular of British bands.

Bobby Elliot, said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to have achieved this as a band.

“We never thought we would have got this far when we were starting out but we did it because we never chased fame, but always strived to become the best musicians we could be.

“I hope young East Lancashire musicians strive to become great musicians.”