Today’s episode of my studio-blog is the third in the story of Abbey Road.
https://willyoumeetmeonclareisland.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/the-studios-of-london-abbey-road-pt-3/
A song written on a Manchester bus and one of the best albums ever made.
by 9 Comments
Lovely blog Niall, especially the Hollies stories. Channelling Hepworth, I think they were very underrated and quite innovative. That amped up banjo on “Stop Stop Stop” still sounds extraordinary and I loved it at the time. Some satisfying nerdery on Wikipedia…
“Stop Stop Stop” is notable for being one of the few recordings by the group that feature Tony Hicks playing the banjo, and was the only song with that instrument to be performed live by the group. The banjo was played through tape delay so that it sounds like a balalaika, while the tempo was similarly influenced by Middle Eastern and Greek music, which, combined with Bobby Elliott’s vehement cymbal crashes, results in what critic Richie Unterberger describes as one of the most offbeat rock songs of 1966.[7] The song – like most others by the group – features three-part vocal harmony between Allan Clarke, Hicks, and Graham Nash. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, England, and was produced by Ron Richards.”
Mmmm tape delay.
@Twang thank you my friend. Such an underrated group. The documentary which reappears on Sky every few months is fantastic. There’s film of the three of them harmonising into one mic in Studio 2 and it is spine tingling.
Oh I’ll look out for that. Sky Arts, hopefully?
The Hollies made a few decisions that had them latch onto becoming entertainers rather than innovators, accelerated by Graham Nash’s realisation of that, and then jumping ship. File alongside the Searchers, another terrific band diverted to the chicken in basket circuit.
@Twang, Sky Arts. It was on earlier this week but it comes around pretty regularly. It’s called The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963 – 1975
Made in 2011, It has interviews with Tony, Bobby and Allan recorded at RAK, (although I noticed from the credits that Clarke’s was done the day after the other two,) and with Nash from L.A. It’s about 2.30 in length and there’s lots of live stuff from the mid 60’s.
Oh cool I’d have a look.
@Twang
Saturday 25th Jan Sky Arts, 5pm.
Marvellous, as per.
Awaiting a book.