He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970. It has been recorded by many artists in subsequent years. The Hollies' and Rufus Wainwright's versions of the song were featured in the film "Zoolander". Scott and Russell had been introduced to each other by Johnny Mercer, at a California nightclub. Although Russell was dying of lymphoma and the pair met in
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother on the Hot 100 on 7 November 1970 (UNI Records, 55264, length 4:09). The flip side was "Free Life". The song appears on the Neil Diamond album "Tap Root Manuscript", which was released November 1970. The song was played by KGB-AM radio, San Diego, California, in late 1970, prior to the then-new Walk for Mankind, in dedication to those who would be walking for donations that day. Bill Medley recorded a version for the soundtrack of the film "Rambo III". It was released as a single in the UK and peaked at #25, being in the chart the same time