A POSTCARD home to East Lancashire from a member of The Hollies – during their first US tour – is just one exhibit at a display dedicated to the ‘British Invasion’ of America’s hit parade.

Drummer Bobby Elliott penned a brief note to his parents in Roughlee while Stateside in 1966, marvelling at their new surroundings.

The message home, alongside one of Bobby’s original snare drum, a lifesize cutout of him, a Biba shirt and trilby worn by the band, form part of a joint new exhibition by the Grammy Museum and The Beatles Story in Liverpool.

One of James Brown’s jumpsuits, the handwritten lyrics to the Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’, Roy Orbison’s work permit and a Jimi Hendrix outfit are just some of the other remarkable artefacts as curators outline how British 60s beat groups conquered the USA.

In his postcard, sent from the famous Mulholland Drive in Hollywood, Bobby, now 72, who signs himself ‘Rob’, writes: ‘Dear Mum and Dad, It’s marvellous over here – just like you imagine – palm trees etc – Spanish in fact.

The houses in Bel Air and Beverly Hills are unbelievable and everybody is suntanned – apart from us.

We travel to some place tomorrow. We’re going in a convertible – Rod’s driving.

Later we play Phoneix, Tucson, Sacramento and Pismo Beach.

See you later Love Rob.’ The Ludwig 400 snare drum was on The Hollies classic hits including Just One Look, Bus Stop, Stay and Here I Go Again. Bandmate Eric Haydock, from Burnley, played his last 60s gig at Pismo Beach.

Bobby and Nelson-born guitarist Tony Hicks still perform with The Hollies, with the band celebrating their 50th anniversary recently.

Brierfield’s Bernie Calvert, who replaced Haydock, remained with the band until 1981.

Other highlights of the Liverpool exhibition include unseen images of the Rolling Stones, by Bob Bonis, a tour jacket from The Zombies and The Supremes stagewear.