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It Ain't Heavy, It's My Story: My Life in The Hollies
As the influential drummer from iconic rock 'n' roll band The Hollies, Bobby Elliott has six decades worth of musical anecdotes. Continually touring since 1963, his adventures have seen him beating Keith Moon in a drumming audition for Shane Fenton and the Fentones, being serenaded by Joni Mitchell while she was in bed with Graham Nash, and being offered a job by Paul McCartney to work with Wings.
- GenresMusic
Audiobook
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 31, 2020
Every once in a while, it's fun to pick up a book written about one of my favorite rock and roll groups. Sadly, most of them have been written it seems, so I was happy to see Bobby Elliott of The Hollies had sat down and penned his memoirs. One of the two remaining original members of the group - Tony Hicks is the other - the group keeps on keeping on with new members - the sound isn't quite the same, but who can replace former lead singer Alan Clarke and his distinctive voice?
As one might expect, Elliott takes us through his early life and the early days of The Hollies, and through the highs and lows of the years during which every Hollies record hit the charts and was heard on every radio station. Lots of interesting stories as you might expect. However, he seems to skip over a lot and will only mention some incidents in passing and leave you hanging, not knowing what really happened as he moves on to something else.
As rock memoirs go, it's not the greatest - crying out for more details as mentioned - but since it is the only memoir on the group, it's better than nothing. As a result, I was kind of disappointed in some aspects of it, but here again, it's better to have a book that at least hits the high points, and a lot of the low ones, even though they aren't in great detail.
Must reading for fans of The Hollies obviously. And if you're looking to broaden your musical horizons and take a look at the group, it's a fun read all things considered.
As one might expect, Elliott takes us through his early life and the early days of The Hollies, and through the highs and lows of the years during which every Hollies record hit the charts and was heard on every radio station. Lots of interesting stories as you might expect. However, he seems to skip over a lot and will only mention some incidents in passing and leave you hanging, not knowing what really happened as he moves on to something else.
As rock memoirs go, it's not the greatest - crying out for more details as mentioned - but since it is the only memoir on the group, it's better than nothing. As a result, I was kind of disappointed in some aspects of it, but here again, it's better to have a book that at least hits the high points, and a lot of the low ones, even though they aren't in great detail.
Must reading for fans of The Hollies obviously. And if you're looking to broaden your musical horizons and take a look at the group, it's a fun read all things considered.
March 8, 2024
The Hollies have been one of my favourite bands since the 'sixties. Having been lucky enough to attend dozens of their shows across four decades I knew this book was in the offing and the wait before its publication seemed interminable - but it was well worth it!
I've watched the 'Look Through Any Window' documentary several times and that gave me a whole new perspective on the dynamics of the band. Bobby's book opens that up still more. The writing seldom loses pace and I found myself reluctant to leave it at any point. I finished reading it in record time [no pun intended!] and I hope that he might write another volume - but maybe that's a big ask...
I've read many rock biographies - many are written by journalists and focus overmuch on the frailties of their subjects - musicians, however eccentric, are but human after all. I have also read others which almost parody the famous Monty Python sketch where they try to outdo each other in emphasising their poverty-stricken childhood. This avoids any of those traps. The writer offers a perfectly standard modest family background in the simpler days of the 'fifties. He portrays his enjoyment of the more glamorous touring experiences that the Hollies obviously were lucky enough to be offered (in comparison to the far less enjoyable conditions that many of their contemporaries were forced to endure).
Thoroughly recommended!
I've watched the 'Look Through Any Window' documentary several times and that gave me a whole new perspective on the dynamics of the band. Bobby's book opens that up still more. The writing seldom loses pace and I found myself reluctant to leave it at any point. I finished reading it in record time [no pun intended!] and I hope that he might write another volume - but maybe that's a big ask...
I've read many rock biographies - many are written by journalists and focus overmuch on the frailties of their subjects - musicians, however eccentric, are but human after all. I have also read others which almost parody the famous Monty Python sketch where they try to outdo each other in emphasising their poverty-stricken childhood. This avoids any of those traps. The writer offers a perfectly standard modest family background in the simpler days of the 'fifties. He portrays his enjoyment of the more glamorous touring experiences that the Hollies obviously were lucky enough to be offered (in comparison to the far less enjoyable conditions that many of their contemporaries were forced to endure).
Thoroughly recommended!
December 22, 2024
This is as good as it gets with a Music/Band Story. Ticks all of the boxes. The reader is there with every concert, every record, every ounce of friction. You really get to know Bobby Elliott, how he feels, what makes him tick. Really, words can't adequately convey just how good it gets. Covers everything from his childhood right through to the age of sixty five. Covers the details of the Hollies hits, band interaction, and, just as importantly what they were like as people. The Hollies were a great band and we are given a great insight into them. What a joy to read. Highly recommended.
Bruce
Bruce
October 8, 2020
Informative, interesting, objective, entertaining. Fast read. Recommend.
April 6, 2021
A really easy read but really good to learn about the music in the UK in the late '50s and early 60's and 70's.
September 22, 2021
Excellent autobiography
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews