Allan Clarke
Mary Skeffington
You all know him and I think you remember his trumpet-like voice: Allan Clarke was the lead singer of The Hollies for over three decades. He and Graham Nash founded the group in 1962, and a massive string of hits followed. After Nash left the group in 1969 because of a new love (Joni Mitchell) and new musical friends he had met in the U.S. (David Crosby & Steven Stills), Clarke got the same ambitions a few years later and also departed from The Hollies to start some projects of his own. I think his first album was the best one; it’s called “My Real Name Is ‘Arold”, the title being based on the nickname of the artist.
“Mary Skeffington”, a very slow ballad, was originally written by none other than Gerry Rafferty. But Allan gives the version a special character. The song is a tribute to Rafferty’s mother.
Clarke released 5 albums on his own. They feature great tracks like “Born to Run”,” Sideshow”, or “Hallelujah Freedom” and the powerful “Who (gives you the flowers)”.
Today he can’t sing anymore because of problems with his voice, but he’s still writing for a female American singer. Thank you, Allan, for creating so much great music for us all.
