A cult hero of the 60s/70s folk-rock scene, Tim’s musical output was and still is treasured by many who fell in love with his wistful but powerful vocals, dreamlike lyrical themes and psychedelic sounds. Born in Brighton in 1947, Hollier was raised in West Cumberland. In the mid-1960s he moved to London where he became involved in the city's folk scene, playing in the duo the Sovereigns. He graduated in Fine Arts and Graphic Design in 1968, and was signed by who released his debut album, Message to a Harlequin, in October that year, described by Allmusic as "hauntingly beautiful".  In November he recorded a session for the BBC's Night Ride radio show.

In 1969 he moved to Fontana Records, releasing his self-titled second album the following year. He followed this with Sky Sail in 1971 on Philips Records, described by Allmusic as Hollier's "magnum opus". He performed several times on radio, including a half-hour Tim Hollier and Friends show on BBC Radio 1 in 1970.