Bobby Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bobby Elliott
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Elliott performing with The Hollies in 2017.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Hartley Elliott |
| Born | 8 December 1941 Burnley, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Rock |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
Bobby Elliott, born on December 8, 1941, is a famous English rock drummer. He is best known for being the drummer for the band The Hollies. Many people say he is one of the best drummers in pop and rock music!
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Bobby's Early Life
Bobby Elliott found his love for jazz music when he was about 10 or 11 years old. He decided then that he wanted to become a drummer. Bobby went to Nelson Grammar School.
He taught himself how to play the drums. He used things around his house like tins and other items as his drum set. He even made his own drum brushes and sticks! Bobby learned by listening to and copying famous jazz drummers like Chico Hamilton and Gene Krupa. At first, he played jazz, but he soon switched to rock and roll music.
Bobby's Music Career
Starting with Shane Fenton and the Fentones
Bobby Elliott was one of the first members of a band called Johnny Theakston and the Tremeloes. They started in 1959. In late 1960, they sent a demo tape to a BBC Radio show called Saturday Club. They changed their name to Shane Fenton and the Fentones.
Sadly, the singer Johnny Theakston passed away before they heard back from the radio show. The band was offered an audition, so their roadie, Bernard Jewry, stepped in as the new singer. He took the stage name "Shane Fenton" to honor Johnny Theakston's mother's wish.
In 1961, Tommy Sanderson became their manager. He helped them get a record deal with EMI. Their song "I'm a Moody Guy" became a hit, reaching number 22 on the UK music charts. However, their next three songs did not become hits, and the band broke up in April 1963.
Joining The Hollies
After Shane Fenton and the Fentones, Bobby Elliott played in a band called Ricky Shaw and the Dolphins. The guitarist from that band, Tony Hicks, left to join The Hollies. Soon after, The Hollies' drummer, Don Rathbone, left the band. Bobby Elliott then took his place as the new drummer for The Hollies.
The Hollies quickly became very popular. Their songs like "Here I Go Again", "Look Through Any Window", and "Just One Look" became hits in Britain. They had many more famous songs later, including "Bus Stop", "On a Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", and "The Air That I Breathe". As of 2025, Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks still tour and perform with The Hollies.
In September 1973, The Hollies were working on a song for their 1974 album, Hollies. At that time, Paul McCartney asked Bobby Elliott to be the drummer for his band, Wings. But Bobby said no because he was committed to The Hollies. He said his "heart was with The Hollies."
The Hollies were honored in 2010 when they were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks could not go to the ceremony. They were already scheduled to play a concert with The Hollies in London at the London Palladium.
Bobby's Personal Life
Many famous drummers have said that Bobby Elliott influenced their playing style. These drummers include Gilson Lavis, Ric Lee, Cozy Powell, and Ian Paice.
Bobby Elliott's hair started to thin when he was young, around the time The Hollies became famous. To cover this, he began wearing different hats on stage. This choice later inspired other artists, whether they were balding or not, to wear hats during their performances. This helped make hats a popular part of rock and roll fashion.
By the 1970s, Bobby Elliott had lost most of his hair. He then started wearing a long, dark wig on stage. You can see this wig on the cover of The Hollies' 1974 album, Hollies.
See also
In Spanish: Bobby Elliott para niños
