The Hollies had to wait more than two decades for their first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, but they made it in on the first ballot. Eligible since 1989, they ultimately joined the Class of 2010.

Formed in 1962 by Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, The Hollies officially retired from touring in August of this year, putting them up there with The Rolling Stones in terms of longevity. They recorded into the 2000s but enjoyed most of their success between 1963-1974.

The Hollies’ early work had a strong Beatles influence, and they joined the British Invasion with a series of R&B-infused pop songs that littered the charts in the UK and started to gain momentum in the U.S. ‘Bus Stop’ (1966) was their first top ten hit in the States, followed quickly by ‘Stop Stop Stop’ and ‘Carrie Anne.’

In 1972, they recorded their biggest U.S. hit, ‘Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress),’ a swamp rock classic in the style of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The band’s output shifted in the 70s from power pop to roots rock and elegant balladry, with hit singles ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘The Air That I Breathe’ as highlights.

Tired of touring, Nash left the band in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. Clarke continued to carry the torch until his retirement in 2000. Other band members came and went, with guitarist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott sticking it out for all 63 years.

That impressive longevity, and the band’s ability to shift its sound and find success in multiple eras, earns The Hollies’ a spot in the Hall of Fame.