Biography

The band's 1969 smash hit, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (by Bobby Scott & Bob Russell), featured then little-known session musician Elton John on piano. Elton was paid £12 for his services.

The group's original lineup consisted of Bernie Calvert (bass) Allan Clarke (vocals), Tony Hicks (guitar), Bobby Elliott (drums), and Terry Sylvester (guitar). Graham Nash is considered one of the original members before his departure from the group in 1968. He later rejoined the group in the 1980s before departing once again. Carl Wayne later replaced Clarke.

The band's 1967 #1 hit, "Carrie Anne" was written about singer, Marianne Faithfull, as revealed by Graham Nash in an interview in 1995. He mentioned that he was "too shy" to name the song "Marianne" so they changed it to "Carrie Anne" instead.

The band's name is not, as is often thought, a tribute to Buddy Holly, but was named after some Christmas holly plants that were decorating band member Graham Nash's house.