Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Who's the guy with the 360/12NS MG?

I would venture to say it's Tony Hicks.

Aye, it is. Hicks was a well known user of 12 string electrics, particularly Vox. For this outing on the Sullivan Show though, he's on the Ric. Too bad it's mimed.

Perhaps he used the Ric in concerts?

Weither it be Ric or Vox, he sure loved the single coil electric 12-string chime.

JakeK wrote:Perhaps he used the Ric in concerts?

Weither it be Ric or Vox, he sure loved the single coil electric 12-string chime.

Yes he did. I've been listening to a Hollies collection that I was lucky enough to find once upon a time. It has a great tune on it called "Tell Me to My Face" that has great 12 string.

We are experts on the Hollies. (Yes, we're a little screwy.)

Indeed, it is Tony Hicks. This may be more information then you want, but Allan Clarke and Graham Nash were roughly the Manchester equivalent of Lennon and McCartney; i.e. established performers in the Everly Brothers tradition. Like John and Paul, Allan and Graham needed the best available guitar player to round out the sound. Hicks was recruited from Shane Fenton and The Dolphins, a top Manchester Group. (Fenton went on to become Alvin Stardust.) Clarke and Nash were 20 when this happened. Hicks was 17. He was, in many ways, the George Harrison of Manchester, which was the sister city of Liverpool. (We're from Kansas City - big disclaimer. )

The rest is history. Their music is out there, for everyone to consider. Steve Van Zandt, Springsteen's guitarist and a member of the RRHOF nominating committee, has recently been quoted as saying the Hollies will be pushed this year. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure - Hicks was an outstanding guitarist for his era and he "evolved" quite well into the more progressive techniques of the 1970's, and beyond. He and Bobby Elliott, their original drummer (and a superb player who was also inspirational to many percussionists), continue a semblance of the band today.

As for the guitars, Hicks played a 360/12, but with only six strings.

Here are three videos. The first, Too Young To Be Married, which he wrote, was a big hit in Australia in 1970, with Hicks playing live on a Martin acoustic. This is a good example of his playing ability, although the quality of the sound in the video isn't the best. Check out the actual record posted below. Be sure to wait for the lead in the middle. He does some Phrygian sounding licks, and some nice sweeps up the neck, a technique he used a lot.

The third video is dubbed, although Clarke may be singing live, but Hicks is "playing" a 450/12. By the way, Eric Clapton was quoted as saying the licks in this song blew him away.

Too Young To Be Married - Live


Too Young To Be Married - Record


The Air That I Breathe


Tom and Matthew