Eric Haydock
Haydock in 1966.
Haydock in 1966.
Background information
Birth nameEric John Haddock
Born(1943-02-03)3 February 1943
Stockport, Cheshire, England
Died5 January 2019(2019-01-05) (aged 75)
England
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active1962–2019

Eric Haydock (born Eric John Haddock; 3 February 1943 – 5 January 2019)[1] was a British musician, best known as the original bass guitarist of the Hollies from December 1962 until July 1966.

Career

A founding member of the Hollies, he was one of the first British musicians to play a Fender Bass VI, a six-string bass.[2] During his short tenure with the band, he recorded bass on their earliest hits, including Just One Look, Look Through Any Window, and I'm Alive among many others.

Although considered a great bass guitarist, he was replaced in 1966 by Bernie Calvert, after disputes related to the conduct of the band's managers.[3] Haydock's last album with the band was Bus Stop, which had been released after his departure, but included recordings in which he contributed to, although it was Calvert who played bass on the titular song that would later go on to become a hit; however, Haydock appeared with the group on Top of the Pops in June 1966, performing the song Bus Stop.

In 1997, Haydock was sued by the Hollies for promoting his new band as "Eric Haydock's Hollies". The lawsuit resulted in Haydock being banned from using the name.[4]

On 15 March 2010, Haydock along with Calvert and the other fellow Hollies members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, and Terry Sylvester were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[5]

Death

Haydock was married to Pamela Dore in 1965, but their marriage ended in divorce. They had three children.[4] He died on 5 January 2019, at the age of 75.[1]

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b "Eric Haydock, Original Hollies Bassist, Dies". Bestclassicbands.com. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. ^ Interview with Eric Haydock from Look Through Any Window DVD, 2011.
  3. ^ "Eric Haydock - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Eric Haydock, original Hollies bassist who helped to lay down their tight rock sound but was sacked by the band – obituary". The Telegraph. 10 January 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  5. ^ "The Hollies". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2016.