Bobby Tench

Bobby Tench
Tench performing in 2009
Tench performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameRobert Tench
Also known asBob Tench, Bobby Gass
Born(1944-09-21)21 September 1944
OriginLondon, England
Died19 February 2024(2024-02-19) (aged 79)
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
  • keyboards
Years active1960s–2024
Labels
Formerly of

Robert Tench (21 September 1944 – 19 February 2024) was a British vocalist, guitarist, sideman,[1] songwriter and arranger.[2]

Tench was best known for his work with Freddie King[3] and Van Morrison,[4] as well as being a member of The Jeff Beck Group, Humble Pie, Streetwalkers[1] and Van Morrison band.[5] He was also a founder member of Hummingbird[1] and Gass.[3][6]

At the start of his career he performed and recorded with The Gass and also appeared with Gonzalez, before joining the Jeff Beck Group. He recorded with Ginger Baker before touring with Beck, Bogert & Appice as vocalist and recording sessions with Linda Lewis. Associations with Wailer Junior Marvin and blues guitarist Freddie King followed.

Tench signed to A&M Records and formed Hummingbird, later joining Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney in Streetwalkers. During this period he had brief associations with Boxer and Widowmaker, recording album tracks with each before working with Van Morrison. When his commitments with Morrison came to an end he moved on to work and record with Eric Burdon also Axis Point, before Steve Marriott included him as an official band member in a new lineup of Humble Pie. Tench continued to make live appearances until his death in February 2024, at the age of 79.[7]

  1. ^ a b c "Bobby Tench". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Bobby Tench song writing and arrangement credits". Discogs. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Leslie Fran (October 2009). Interview with Bobby Tench. Blues in Britain. p. 18,19,20 Vol 1 issue 94.
  4. ^ Rogan, Johnny. No Surrender. p. 315,316,325.
  5. ^ Collis, John. Van Morrison. Inarticulate speech of the heart. p. 236.
  6. ^ "Bobby Tench". musicbrainz.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Bobby Tench Departed For Better World". DME. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.