Vic Steele

Victor Farrell (born 8 May 1945, Manchester, England) best known as Vic Steele, is a former British guitarist. He was the original lead guitarist of the Hollies.[1]

Vic Steele
Birth nameVictor Winston Farrell
Born (1945-05-08) 8 May 1945
Manchester, England
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1961–1963
Associated actsThe Hollies
The Emperors of Rhythm

Musician

Farrell played the guitar since early-adolescence and was inspired by American rock and roll. In 1961 he became the lead guitarist of Manchester-based group the Emperors of Rhythm, which featured Eric Stewart, later of the Mindbenders and 10CC fame, on rhythm guitar. He was also close friends with Mindbenders frontman Wayne Fontana.

After the Emperors of Rhythm disbanded in the summer of 1962, Farrell decided to team up with singer Allan Clarke, singer/guitarist Graham Nash, bassist Eric Haydock and drummer Don Rathbone. The group went under several names, first calling themselves "The Hollies" for a December 1962 gig at the Oasis Club in Manchester.[2] In 2009, Nash wrote, "We called ourselves The Hollies, after Buddy and Christmas."[3]

In January 1963, the Hollies performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where they were seen by Parlophone assistant producer Ron Richards, who had been involved in producing the first Beatles session.[2] Richards offered them an audition with Parlophone, but Steele did not want to be a "professional" musician and left the band in April 1963.[2] Tony Hicks was brought in to replace him.

References
  1. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music. 4 September 2009. p. 265. Retrieved 19 August 2016 – via Google Books.
  2. Eden, Dawn (March 1993). "30th Anniversary essay". 30th Anniversary Collection.
  3. 2009 Graham Nash Reflections :: Introduction to autobiographical liner/CD booklet



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