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They had a Swedish vocalist, Mikael Rickfors from 1971 to 1973. (See info and illustrations on the next page of this homepage!) The Hollies inspired many Swedish groups, one of them was the Lee Kings. Their album “Bingo” featured a fine version of “I’ve got a way of my own.” This song was also recorded by another Swedish chart-riding group, the Slamcreepers. However, the most interesting Hollies related release in Scandinavia is the single "Coming from the ground." The Lee Kings were friends of the Hollies, and Allan, Tony and Graham participated during the recording session, and the distinctive Hollies harmonies are easily heard on the record. The song was written by Clarke-Nash-Duncan-James, and the Hollies were also producers. This single is certainly one of the rarest Hollies-related records today. If you prefer CD releases, the German label Rock-in-Beat released in on a 30-track compilation with 19 album tracks and 11 single A and B sides. Lee Kings also made a version of "Nobody" on a single, but this is not on the German compilation. The Swedish group Nashmen (!) released "Have you ever loved somebody", which also was a hit for the Searchers. "Stewball" was covered by the Mascots and Bates.
The Hollies in Sweden – the land where they scored six no 1 hits!
The Hollies have through the years had a very strong relation to Sweden. Let me give you a few explanations:
Not only did they score six number 1 hits in the Swedish chart “Tio i Topp”, one of them was “Very last day.” Stewball made no 3, What’s wrong with the way I live went no 7, all in all there were 19 top 10 hits. And King Midas made number 11, only beaten by Australia. Don’t you ever tell me that the Swedish music lovers have bad taste. My fellow Hollies fan from Gothenburg, Göran Antefelt, has pointed out that the Hollies had 19 chart records in Sweden between 1964 and 1974 (- see Hans Sidén’s comprehensive book on Swedish 60’s pop.). Thus they beat the Rolling stones and the Kinks, and were on level with Elvis Presley, chartwise.
The Hollies toured Sweden extensively. This probably contributed heavily to their popularity in Sweden. The first time they played in Sweden was, according to the records, 30. November 1965 in Tennis-hallen, Stockholm (see Crosby Stills Nash and sometimes Young, Vol. 3, that has a complete list of Hollies concerts 1962- 1968.) In a letter to me, Bobby wrote: “I have The Hollies PMCS 309 – in mint condition – unplayed. The picture was taken before we went on stage at the Tennis Halle, Stockholm 1965. Herman’s Hermits topped the bill. We went on stage before them and blew ‘em away. A nice way to introduce ourselves to the Swedish audiences. It was also the first time that we used Benny Englund’s “Acuset” PA system. After being impressed with it that night, we bought one and took it home.” They returned for a tour of Folk Parks 28. May – 13. June 1966. Then they returned for 4 nights in December: 10. in Sandviken, 11. in Circus, Stockholm, and 15. in Malmø. They gave two shows each night. In 1967 on the 10. August they did the Concert Hall, Liseberg, Göteborg (Göran was there, even backstage and got autographs), followed by 3 weeks of Folk parks shows. In 1968 there was another Folk Park tour 25. July – 5. August, and a Konserthuset, Stockholm show on 27. September, followed by Göteborg, the next day. Staffan Olander and Bo Nordestedt give a few other dates in the sleeve notes of “Swedish hits and more” (see below): 1969 Folk Park and other shows in May, including Stjärnscenen, Göteborg on 26. A return to Sweden took place in 1982, but they give no mention of any Swedish shows with Mikael.
The Stockholm concert on the Scandinavian tour of 1966 was recorded for radio broadcast. This show included the Motown songs "Cool jerk", "You don't know like I know" and the beautiful "Reach out I'll be there". The latter song took long to be found on record. It was finally included on the 6-CD “The long road home” 40th anniversary collection in 2003. “Too much monkey business” and “Stop stop stop” from that concert were also released on the 6-CD box, but the rest of the show has still to get an official release. The Hollies version of "Reach out I'll be there” would most likely become an instant hit (- like what happened with “Stop in the name of love” in the USA in 1983).
The Swedish magazine "Bild", included once a flexi-disc with Christmas greetings from the Hollies. This record has also become a rarity. The track was included on the CD “Swedish hits and more” in 2003. This CD includes a very detailed and well-illustrated story on the Hollies in Sweden by Staffan Olander and Bo Nordestedt. It also gives complete chart placings, and should certainly be translated to English by someone. And for die-hard collectors, there's the "Tio i topp" compilation from 1965-67, featuring "Very last day", "Bus stop" "On a carousel" and "Stewball".
Swedish discography (releases special for Sweden).
1966 Very last day/Too many people Light green SD 5991
1966 What's wrong with the way../Don't even think.. Blue/green SD 6000
1967 Dear Eloise/Away away away Black/red SD 6021
1968 Do the best you can/Like everytime before Brown/black SD 6042
1968 Listen to me/Blowin' in the wind (w. Graham) Red/black SD 6050
1966 Folk style:
Stewball/Fifi the flea/I am a rock/Crusader Red/black GEOS 264
1965 The Hollies:
Look through any window/Baby that's all/(Ain't that) Just like me/Searchin'/What kind of love/Here I go again/Yes I will/I'm alive/Nobody/Hey! What's wrong with me/Just one look/When I'm not there/So lonely/We're through
Parlophone PMCS 309
1993 Swedish hits and more:
Stay/Just one look/Here I go again/We’re through/Yes I will/Very last day/I’m alive/Look through any window/Stewball/I can’t let go/Bus stop//Stop!Stop!Stop!/What’s wrong with the way I live/On a carousel/Carrie Anne/King Midas in reverse/Dear Eloise/Jennifer Eccles/Like every time before/Blowin’ in the wind/Listen to me/Sorry Suzanne/He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother/The baby/The air that I breathe/The woman I love/Julhälsning
Parlophone 7895132
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Göran Antefelt, Bo Nordestedt and Hans Sidén for information, photos and enthusiasm. Thanks also to Francesco Lucarelli for concert info.
The Hollies played the magnificent venue Dalhalla to an enthusiastic audience of about 2000. Among songs played were "The baby," paying tribute to the original singer of that song, Mikael Rickfors. We also got the biggest no. 1 hit in Sweden, "Very last day" in a very nice version. For a full review see the official Hollies web site:
Finally the Hollies came to Gothenburg. And finally we got to hear an English band that not only live up to their efforts on record, but in addition live surpass even the highest expectations. Hollies are something unique in pop music. Perfectionists to the fingertips. And yesterday everything went right. The voices sounded perfect. The instruments were precisely where they should, refined and rhytmically clean. The scene show was well-trimmed relaxed. In short: The Hollies are without comparison the best and most beautiful pop group that ever hit Gothenburg - ever!
Hans Sidén in Göteborgsposten, 12.12.1966
