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 |
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| 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 a founding member and the main singer of the famous band The Hollies. Allan Clarke helped write many of their well-known songs. These include "On a Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Jennifer Eccles", and "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress".
He stopped performing in 1999 but came back to music in 2019. In 2010, Allan Clarke was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Hollies.
Contents
Allan Clarke's Music Journey
Allan Clarke and his friend Graham Nash started singing together in Manchester. They were still in school at the time. In December 1962, they formed a band called The Hollies. The first members were 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 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 many hit songs in the UK. They had 30 songs that made it onto the music charts. Seventeen of these songs reached the Top 10. Two songs, "I'm Alive" (1965) and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1988 re-issue), even reached No. 1.
In the US, The Hollies had 23 songs on the charts. Six of these 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 the name "L. Ransford" for their songwriting. Later, they used 'Clarke-Nash-Hicks'.
In 1966, Allan Clarke and other Hollies members helped The Everly Brothers record their album Two Yanks in England. This album featured songs that Clarke had helped write.
Writing Music for The Hollies
Clarke, Nash, and Hicks wrote songs for several Hollies albums. These included For Certain Because (1966), Evolution (1967), and Butterfly (1967). Their UK collection of hit songs, The Hollies' Greatest Hits, was the top album in the UK in August 1968.
After 1967, Allan Clarke started writing more songs on his own for the band. Some of these songs were "Lullaby To Tim" (for his son), "Heading for a Fall", and "Would You Believe?". He also wrote songs with Graham Nash, like "Jennifer Eccles". When Graham Nash left the band in December 1968, Allan Clarke became even more important as the band's leader. He was the only lead singer on the album Hollies Sing Dylan (1969).
Allan Clarke also wrote songs by himself, such as "My Life Is Over With You" (1969) and "Separated" (1970). He also helped Terry Sylvester, who replaced Nash, to write songs. They wrote songs 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 he co-wrote called "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" became a huge hit. It reached No. 2 in the US, which was The Hollies' biggest hit there. Allan Clarke sang lead and played lead guitar on this song.
Mikael Rickfors left The Hollies, and Allan Clarke rejoined the band in July 1973. Their first song with him back was "The Day that Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee". This song was a UK Top 40 hit.
Allan Clarke continued to make solo albums while still with The Hollies. He released Allan Clarke (1974) and I've Got Time (1976). He also sang on "Breakdown" for The Alan Parsons Project in 1977. He left The Hollies again briefly in March 1978. During this time, he made the album I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978). He returned to the group in August 1978.
His later solo albums included Legendary Heroes (1980) and Reasons to Believe (1990). Between 1974 and 1978, Clarke wrote most of the original songs The Hollies recorded. In 1993, Allan Clarke had his last chart success with The Hollies. The song was "The Woman I Love", which reached No. 42 in the UK.
In 1996, Allan Clarke and The Hollies helped sing on a new version of "Peggy Sue Got Married". This song featured Buddy Holly's vocals.
Taking a Break and Coming Back
Allan Clarke had some health problems with his vocal cords. He decided to retire from music in 2000 to take care of his wife. Carl Wayne became the new lead singer for The Hollies. Carl Wayne passed away in 2004. Today, The Hollies still tour and record with Peter Howarth as their singer.
On 15 March 2010, Allan Clarke and other Hollies members were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2011, Clarke made a surprise appearance at a Crosby & Nash concert. He sang "Bus Stop" with his former bandmates.
In 2019, Allan Clarke returned to his solo music career. He released a new album called Resurgence. In January 2023, he announced he was working on his second solo album, I'll Never Forget. This album was released on April 7, 2023. Graham Nash sings harmony on 7 of the 11 songs.
Allan Clarke's Family Life
Allan Clarke married Jennifer Bowstead on 24 March 1964. They have three children: Tim (born 1966), Toby (born 1969), and Piper (born 1972). The Hollies' song "Jennifer Eccles" was named after Allan Clarke's wife, Jennifer, and Graham Nash's wife at the time, Rose Eccles.
Allan Clarke's Albums
Solo Studio Albums
- 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 Album Appearances
- 1964: The Rolling Stones - with The Rolling Stones - sang backup on "Little by Little" with Graham Nash
- 1977: I Robot - with The Alan Parsons Project - sang lead on "Breakdown"
- 1999: Portraits of Bob Dylan - with Steve Howe - sang lead on "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
See also
In Spanish: Allan Clarke para niños
