Aug 25, 2026 · 26 min
Peter Howarth carries The Hollies’ legacy without imitation
Peter Howarth of The Hollies: From Legendary Stages to a Lifetime of Music
Peter Howarth explains how a working musician develops the judgment, flexibility, and identity required to inherit a celebrated band’s sound.
- 1Howarth traces his path from backing singer and hotel-lounge performer to fronting The Hollies.
- 2He describes honoring Alan Clarke’s phrasing while resisting the pressure to impersonate an iconic predecessor.
- 3His work with Rick Fenn and his acoustic performances reveal how collaboration keeps familiar songs emotionally alive.
Don't miss
Howarth explains how he approached replacing Alan Clarke by matching the song phrasing while preserving his own identity.
The brief
Peter Howarth recalls discovering his voice as a child, then building a career through backing vocals, hotel lounges, theater, acoustic work, and increasingly demanding stages.
Performing with Cliff Richard taught Howarth that reliability, collaboration, and professionalism matter as much as vocal ability when the audience is enormous.
Joining The Hollies meant honoring Alan Clarke’s phrasing without impersonating him, a balance made harder by fan expectations and online scrutiny.
Howarth’s partnership with Rick Fenn led to Robin Prince of Sherwood, a nine-month musical project he describes as one of his most meaningful accomplishments.
His acoustic version of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” connects the song’s enduring emotional force with his friendship and professional history with Bill Kenwright.
Featuring
Peter Howarth
The Hollies
Cliff Richard
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