Allan Clarke (singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allan Clarke
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Clarke on TopPop in 1974
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Harold Allan Clarke |
| Born | 5 April 1942 Salford, Lancashire, England |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Rock, soft rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1958–1999, 2011, 2019–present |
| Associated acts | The Hollies |
Harold Allan Clarke (born 5 April 1942) is an English rock singer. He was one of the people who started the famous band The Hollies. Allan Clarke was also their first lead singer.
With The Hollies, he sang on many hit songs that became popular around the world. He also helped write some of their best-known songs. These include "On a Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Jennifer Eccles", and "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress". Allan Clarke stopped performing in 1999. But he came back to music in 2019. In 2010, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a special place for famous musicians.
Contents
Allan Clarke's Music Career
Allan Clarke and his friend Graham Nash started singing together when they were still in school. This was in Manchester, England. In December 1962, they formed a band called The Hollies. Other early members included Vic Steele (lead guitar) and Eric Haydock (bass guitar).
In April 1963, Tony Hicks joined as the new lead guitarist. Bobby Elliott also joined as the drummer. Later, in 1966, Bernie Calvert became the new bass guitarist. Allan Clarke was the main singer for The Hollies. He also sometimes played guitar and harmonica.
The Hollies' Hit Songs
The Hollies had great success in the UK. They had 30 songs that made it onto the music charts. Seventeen of these songs reached the top 10. Two songs even reached number one: "I'm Alive" (in 1965) and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (when it was re-released in 1988).
In the United States, The Hollies had 23 songs on the charts. Six of these songs made it into the top 10. Allan Clarke helped write many of the band's songs. He often wrote them with Graham Nash and Tony Hicks. At first, they used a secret name, "L. Ransford," for their songs. Later, they used their real names: 'Clarke-Nash-Hicks'.
In 1966, Allan Clarke and other Hollies members helped The Everly Brothers record their album Two Yanks in England. This album included new versions of songs that Clarke had helped write for The Hollies.
Writing Albums and Solo Songs
The team of Clarke, Nash, and Hicks wrote songs for several Hollies albums. These included For Certain Because (1966), Evolution (1967), and Butterfly (1967). Their collection of hit songs, The Hollies' Greatest Hits, was the number one album in the UK in August 1968.
After 1967, Allan Clarke also started writing some songs by himself. These included "Lullaby To Tim" (which he wrote for his son), "Heading for a Fall", and "Would You Believe?". He also wrote songs with Graham Nash, such as "Jennifer Eccles". After Graham Nash left the band in late 1968, Allan Clarke became even more important as the band's leader. He was the only lead singer on the album Hollies Sing Dylan in 1969.
Allan Clarke wrote many songs on his own. Some of these are "My Life Is Over With You" (1969) and "Separated" (1970). He also helped Terry Sylvester, who replaced Graham Nash, learn to write songs. They wrote songs together like "Gloria Swansong" (1969) and "Perfect Lady Housewife" (1970).
Leaving and Returning to The Hollies
Allan Clarke wanted to start his own music career. So, he left The Hollies in 1971. A Swedish singer named Mikael Rickfors took his place. Allan Clarke then released two solo albums: My Real Name Is 'Arold (1972) and Headroom (1973).
After Clarke left, a song from The Hollies' 1971 album Distant Light became a huge hit. It was called "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress". Allan Clarke had helped write this song and sang lead vocals on it. It reached number 2 in the US, making it their biggest hit there.
Mikael Rickfors left The Hollies, and Allan Clarke rejoined the band in July 1973. Their first song after he came back was "The Day that Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee". This song was also written by Clarke and became a UK top 40 hit.
Allan Clarke continued to make solo albums even while he was with The Hollies. However, these albums were not as successful on the charts. He released Allan Clarke (1974) and I've Got Time (1976). He also sang on the song "Breakdown" for The Alan Parsons Project in 1977.
He left The Hollies again for a short time in March 1978. During this time, he made the album I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978). He returned to the band in August 1978. His later solo albums included Legendary Heroes (1980) and Reasons to Believe (1990).
Between 1974 and 1978, Allan Clarke wrote most of the new songs The Hollies recorded. In 1993, Allan Clarke had his last chart success with The Hollies. It was a song called "The Woman I Love", which reached number 42 in the UK.
In 1996, Allan Clarke and The Hollies, along with Graham Nash, sang on a new version of "Peggy Sue Got Married". This song featured the voice of Buddy Holly.
Taking a Break and Coming Back
Allan Clarke stopped working in music in 1999. This was partly because of problems with his vocal cords (voice box). He also wanted to take care of his wife, who was ill. Carl Wayne became the new lead singer for The Hollies. Carl Wayne passed away in 2004. The Hollies still perform today with Peter Howarth as their singer.
On March 15, 2010, Allan Clarke was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other Hollies members, including Graham Nash and Tony Hicks, were also honored. In 2011, Allan Clarke made a surprise appearance at a concert by Crosby & Nash. He sang "Bus Stop" with his old bandmates.
After playing harmonica for a band in 2018, Allan Clarke returned to his solo career in 2019. He released a new album called Resurgence. In January 2023, he announced he was working on another solo album, I'll Never Forget. This album was released on April 7, 2023. Graham Nash sang harmonies on 7 of the 11 songs.
Personal Life
Allan Clarke married Jennifer Bowstead on March 24, 1964. They have three children: Tim (born 1966), Toby (born 1969), and Piper (born 1972). The Hollies' song "Jennifer Eccles" got its name from Allan Clarke's wife, Jennifer, and Graham Nash's wife at the time, Rose Eccles.
Discography
- My Real Name Is 'Arold (1972)
- Headroom (1973)
- Allan Clarke (1974)
- I've Got Time (1976)
- I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978)
- The Only One (also known as Legendary Heroes) (1980)
- Reasons to Believe (1990)
- Resurgence (2019)
- I'll Never Forget (2023)
Other Appearances
- 1964 : The Rolling Stones by The Rolling Stones - sang backup vocals on Little by Little with Graham Nash
- 1977: I Robot - The Alan Parsons Project - sang lead vocals on "Breakdown"
- 1999: Portraits of Bob Dylan - Steve Howe - sang lead vocals on "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
See also
In Spanish: Allan Clarke para niños
Images for kids
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Clarke on TopPop in 1974
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Clarke and Lenne Broberg, 1967
