Sports fan in concert

Last March, a Liverpool musician wearing a Fernando Torres No. 9 football shirt was inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Terry Sylvester, former harmony vocalist of the British ‘60s band the Hollies, couldn’t care less if he wasn’t dressed for the occasion. Sylvester wanted to celebrate by showing the world his fierce loyalty to the Liverpool football club. Besides, he wasn’t enshrined for his sartorial taste. The singer made it because he paid his dues with the Hollies, a legendary five-man group that had 31 chart hits in 1963-88 – more than any other British Invasion act including the Beatles.

Sylvester, 63, didn’t sing on all those 31 singles. He joined the Hollies as Graham Nash’s replacement in 1969 and stayed on for 12 studio albums until leaving in 1981. His first single with the Hollies, “Sorry Suzanne,” zoomed to No. 3 in the UK charts. n all, he enjoyed a run of 116 weeks on the UK charts with various Hollies songs and 63 weeks on the album honor roll. His resume lists a collection of five platinum, nine gold and six silver discs.

Sylvester sang on the Hollies’ No. 1 million-seller “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” with Elton John playing piano.

Last night, Sylvester arrived here to perform in two concerts – the first as a front act for the Cascades at the PAGCOR Grand Theater on Sunday, Oct. 17, and the second in a solo concert at the Hard Rock Café in Makati on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Now on their fifth decade of existence, the Hollies have never toured Manila so Sylvester is making up for the long absence.

Sylvester didn’t confirm his set list for either concert but promised that “the fans will know every song.” He’s expected to sing a variety of British Invasion favorites including Gerry and the Pacemakers’ “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying,” the Beatles’ “’Til There Was You,” the Swinging Blue Jeans’ “Hippy Hippy Shake” and the Hollies’ “Just One Look,” “Bus Stop,” “Carrie Anne,” “The Air That I Breathe,” “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress,” “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” and of course, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” Sylvester will also do a version of Bread’s “Make It With You” in memory of the late James Griffin with whom he recorded an album in 1981.

Sylvester is cut from the same mold as the Beatles. He grew up in a Liverpool neighborhood Allerton close to where Paul McCartney lived and was an apprentice panel beater working for George Harrison’s older brother Peter in his teens. Sylvester also went to the same school, Dovedale Road, as John Lennon and Harrison.

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Before turning to music, Sylvester thought of playing football as a career. At the age of 14, he nearly signed with the Liverpool club after trainer Bob Paisley invited him for a tryout at the team’s Melwood training grounds. Sylvester caught Paisley’s eye playing for Rose Lane School. But Sylvester eventually decided to take the music route, influenced by his father James, a jazz trombone player who was a Glenn Miller fan. At 16, Sylvester often shared the stage with the Beatles in Liverpool as he fronted his own band the Escorts. He went on to play for the Swinging Blue Jeans, had a brief two-concert stint with the Merseybeats then joined the Hollies when Nash left to form a super-group with Stephen Stills and David Crosby later to unite with Neil Young.

Throughout his music career, Sylvester was known for his harmony vocals, mellow delivery and high range. Today, his voice is as smooth as ever. “Never smoked in my life, never done drugs, maybe, that’s why my voice is still in good shape,” said Sylvester in a STAR interview. “A wee gin and tonic, now and then, also helps.”

Twice divorced with four children, Sylvester is now more than happy to be single again. He lives in Florida and actively performs in gigs. In February next year, Sylvester will embark on his first UK tour in 30 years with the Solid Silver ‘60s show.

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But what makes Sylvester an interesting subject for this column is his love for sports.

Since relocating to the US, he has become an avid baseball fan, admitting a preference for the New York Yankees with “a soft spot” for the Toronto Blue Jays. Sylvester has watched the New York team at Yankee Stadium and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Cricket is another sport that Sylvester enjoys. He played the game in the Hertfordshire league in 1989-97. Sylvester also dabbles in golf and tennis, joining celebrity tournaments when invited. He adds to his fitness routine by taking long walks on the beach and swimming.

But it’s football that is closest to his heart. Sylvester will never forget the nightmarish experience of witnessing in the stands the 1989 tragedy that claimed 96 Liverpool fans in a human stampede during a match against Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield. That experience only strengthened his allegiance to his hometown team – a loyalty that he exhibited during his Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Among Sylvester’s friends are football luminaries Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Ian St. John, Kenny Dalglish and Steve Nicol. In 1983, he wrote, sang and produced the Liverpool club record “Liverpool (We’re Never Gonna Stop)” which reached No. 54 in the UK charts.

One of Sylvester’s best-loved songs is “I Believe (When I Fall In Love, It Will Be Forever),” a familiar tune with Filipino music fans and the title of his only solo album. For sure, he will be asked to sing the beautiful melody in his two concerts here.

Over 20 years have passed since the Hollies’ anthem “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” topped the UK charts on its second release in 1988. But the popular song remains an enduring standard that just like Sylvester, has withstood the test of time.

For reservations to Sylvester’s 8 p.m. solo concert at the Hard Rock Café on Oct. 19, call 893-4661 to 64.