Eric Haydock (born 3 February 1942, in Burnley, Lancashire) was the original bass guitarist with The Hollies from December 1962 until 1966.

Originally Haydock played bass guitar with The Dolphins, where he played alongside future Hollies guitarist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott. He became a founder member of The Hollies.

Haydock became one of the most admired of the Merseybeat bassists, coupling the Merseybeat style of root note in fourths and fifths, as played by Paul McCartney with the hard-driving style of Jet Harris. It gave the early Hollies records a distinctive sound in the rhythm section. He was one of several British bassists of the early 1960s to regularly use a Fender Bass VI.

By 1965, Haydock was having misgivings about the conduct of the Hollies management, and after several disputes with the rest of the band, he was fired in early 1966 and replaced by Bernie Calvert.

He formed a rhythm & blues outfit called Haydock's Rockhouse, but the band folded after two unsuccessful recordings, including a cover version of Sam Cooke's "Cupid."

In November 1997, Haydock, who was playing on the nostalgia circuit, was successfully sued by The Hollies for using the band's name in his publicity. He was allowed to call himself "ex Hollies bassist" but his band could not be called "Hollies".

Haydock is still active in music and from 2004 - 2007 played bass in 'THE CLASS OF 64' fronted by Len 'Chip' Hawkes of TREMELOES fame and is currently touring with 60's 'supergroup' 'LEGENDS OF THE SIXTIES' alongside former KINKS drummer Mick Avory, LOVE AFFAIR frontman Martin Lyon plus Graham Pollock (ex Mindbenders and Eric Haydocks Holllies) and Telecaster Ted Tomlin (ex Love Affair.