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The Hollies got a serious problem in 1971. Just a few years after Graham Nash had left the group for super stardom in the USA, Allan Clarke also wanted to build his own solo carreer. But the rest of the group said no - either you stay with us, or you go your way. And Allan left. What should they do? A series of auditions for a new solo vocalist followed. They remembered a Swedish vocalist, that they had met during the numerous tours of Sweden. His name was Mikael Rickfors, and he stayed with the Hollies from 1971 to 1973. He was originally vocalist in the group Bamboo This version of the Hollies produced two worldwide hits, The baby and Magic woman touch. The baby was such a strong song, that the group has revived it for concerts during the last years.
The Hollies fronted by Mikael also had other single successes worldwide, like Jesus was a crossmaker, Don’t leave the child alone. They released two albums, and they still stand strong today. The first was Romany. The second album, Out on the road, was released only in a couple of countries, here we show the German sleeve. Many of the songs on the 2nd album were however re-recorded for the second black and white Hollies album, when Allan rejoined after the success of Long cool woman in a black dress.
Mikael Rickfors went on to a successful solo carreer, with several great albums and chart hits. Maybe the high point was with Vingar. In a documentary after this album, he commented on his time with the Hollies, a time he looks back upon positively.
Title track Away again is one of his best songs ever!
You may listen to it on his MySpace site:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=198760497
A clip is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSI93mhRKDY
The Swedish singer with the dark voice who joined the Hollies in the early seventies is currently active. For latest news check his brand new website
For a few new songs watch his MySpace site:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=198760497
Bus stop (Solo live Slussen, Orust 29.9.07) - great version! Starts with him saluting the Hollies fan club who is present, as he tells before the song:
Bus stop (Solo live Trollhättan 20.7.07):
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=16285488
When a man loves a woman (Solo live Slussen, Orust 29.9.07) - encore:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=19168723
The Baby (with the Hollies):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_AKqs9w0mg
Som stormen river öppet hav:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOzQ-G1oXAc
At Taubespelen 14.7.07:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=13163235
Mitt bästa för dig (with Grymlings):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YPwIknGEzY
On his 1991 CD album, he sings about his time with the Hollies, on the tune "Sailors of the heart". The song goes: “Once I crossed the ocean – I remember to this day – I sailed with some folks from England – I still hear that song sometimes – Somewhere there’s a woman with a black dress on the line.”
Lately Rickfors has recorded and toured with Carla Olsson and Percy Sledge. His latest album was Lush life from 2004, on which there was also a song with text by Procol Harum's Keith Reid, the writer of A whiter shade of pale.
