Ken Hensley
Encyclopedia
Kenneth William David Hensley (born 24 August 1945, Plumstead
, South East London
, England
) is a keyboard
player (especially Hammond organ
), guitar
ist, singer, songwriter
and producer
best known for his work with Uriah Heep
during the 1970s.
He wrote or cowrote the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including such hits as "Look at Yourself", "Lady in Black
" (on both of which he also sang lead vocals), "Easy Livin'", "Stealin'
" and "Free Me".
, Hensley moved with his parents, three brothers and sister to Stevenage
, Hertfordshire
in 1945. He learned how to play guitar at the age of 12 from a Bert Weedon manual. His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage (September 1960). After that, he played with The Blue Notes, Ken And The Cousins and Kit And The Saracens (1962). In 1963, this band evolved into The Jimmy Brown Sound, and they recorded some now lost songs. At this time, Hensley's first "professional" opportunity almost came about: they were to back Ben E. King on a British visit, but it never happened.
In Early 1965, Hensley formed a band called The Gods
, with the young guitarist Mick Taylor
, well known later for his work with The Rolling Stones
. Ken wrote most of the material, sang and played the Hammond
B3 organ
as the band already had the talented Mick Taylor on guitar. The Gods' line-up included, at one time or another, vocalist and guitar/bass player Greg Lake
(later of King Crimson
and Emerson, Lake & Palmer
), bass player Paul Newton
(later the first Uriah Heep
bassist), drummer Lee Kerslake
(later also of Heep), bassist John Glascock
(later of Jethro Tull
), and guitarist Joe Konas. In early 1968 they signed with Columbia Records and recorded two LPs and several singles. After that, Newton left the band to join Spice
, an Essex-based band. Ken also played on a one-album side project of The Gods
initially planned to become their 3rd album, but was recorded and eventually released in 1969/1970 under the moniker Head Machine's "Orgasm". The album was produced by David Paramor (producer of "The Gods") and both Hensley and Kerslake featured, along with John Glasscock on bass, Brian Glasscock on drums, and David Paramor on vocals, all under pseudonyms. Ken played mostly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career. Although Paramor was credited as composer, the songs bear many of Hensley's influences. The album was released before Hensley joined Toe Fat and might almost be considered a prototype for the harder side of his future work in Uriah Heep.
The band eventually split but Cliff Bennett, from Rebel Rouser, decided to move in a more "progressive" direction and asked The Gods guys to join him. Under the name Toe Fat
they released two LPs, but only the first featured Ken.
Paul Newton
asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in Spice
, as they were looking after a keyboards player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive, in keeping with the current trend. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into Uriah Heep
. Also in the line-up were guitarist Mick Box
and vocalist David Byron
. With Uriah Heep, Hensley found a place to develop and showcase his songwriting and lyrical abilities as well as his keyboard and guitar playing. Major success came, and Heep is now considered one of the UK's most legendary progressive rock bands. The band's classic line-up featured Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain
, plus the management provided by Gerry Bron
(Bronze Records
). During his time with Heep (1970–1980), they recorded 13 studio albums, and the acclaimed live album "Uriah Heep Live - January 1973" along with many compilations and singles. Hensley also recorded his first two solo albums, "Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf" (1973) and "Eager To Please" (1975) during this time. He was supported mainly by Mark Clarke and Bugs Pemberton.
After the departure of bassist Gary Thain (who died in 1975) and vocalist David Byron, other musicians were brought into the Heep family: John Wetton
(Family
, King Crimson
, Roxy Music
, later of UK
and Asia
), Trevor Bolder
(from Spiders From Mars, later of Wishbone Ash
) and John Lawton
(Lucifer's Friend
), among others. The chemistry though, was unable to match that of the classic lineup.
In 1980 Hensley left the band, unhappy with the musical direction they had chosen. After trying to put a new band together in the UK (Shotgun), he later moved to the USA and played a few gigs in North America as The Ken Hensley Band. Around this time he released his third solo LP, "Free Spirit" (1980).
In 1982 Hensley joined Blackfoot
, a hard rock Florida-based band. With them, he recorded two albums (1983's "Siogoa" and 1984's "Vertical Smiles"). Although the group achieved some success, Hensley left after Bron informed him of Heep vocalist David Byron's sad death in 1985.
After 1985, Hensley lived in semi-retirement in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), making a few appearances with W.A.S.P., Cinderella
and others.
Blackie Lawless
(W.A.S.P.) attempted to define what Hensley means to the rock'n'roll history:
"Ken Hensley wrote the rule book for heavy metal keyboards as far as I'm concerned."
This could be debated as Jon Lord of Deep Purple may have written the rule book for heavy metal keyboards in general. Ken Hensley likely wrote the rule book for heavy metal piano as heard in Paradise/The Spell from Demons and Wizards. The period also gave birth to many other amazing keyboardists/organists, not the least of which were Alan Taff Freeman of Nektar, and John Evan of Jethro Tull.
Surprisingly though, things began to change in the mid 90s after years of silence. In 1994, "From Time To Time", a collection of lost recordings, was released featuring rare songs recorded by Ken between 1971 and 1982, as well as some very good early versions of Heep's classic songs, played by Ken and his roommates at that time, namely guitarist Paul Kossoff
and drummer Simon Kirke
(both of Free
). Other musicians on the songs were bassist Boz Burrell
(King Crimson
and Bad Company
), guitarist Mick Ralphs
(Bad Company
), drummers Ian Paice
(Deep Purple
, Whitesnake
) and Kenny Jones (The Who
), amongst others.
In 1999 Hensley's musical activities began to increase, besides his work with St. Louis Music. He recorded an album, "A Glimpse Of Glory", together with his band Visible Faith. An eclectic collection of ballads and hard rock tunes, this album was hugely acclaimed by fans who were hungry for new material from Ken. Bud Martin engineered the Visible Faith album and was his chief engineer from 1996-1998.
During the fourth Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called "Hensley/Lawton Band". Ken was joined by former Heep singer John Lawton
, their first public collaboration since John's departure from Heep in 1979. With them were Paul Newton
(Heep's original bassist), and two members of John's band, Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a sort of old Heep classics and some of Ken's solo songs to an amazed audience, and the concert was recorded for a proper CD release, followed by a tour in Europe culminating with a concert in Hamburg, Germany, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic "Salisbury"!
This is definitely not the end of the story, since Hensley has been quite busy working on his solo career. "Running Blind", his first effort in 21 years, was released worldwide and followed by a world tour with his band called "Free Spirit", that included some incredible musicians: Dave Kilminster
(guitar), Andy Pyle
(bass) and Pete Riley
(drums). Kilminster and Riley later also played in the Keith Emerson
Band (Kilminster is part of Roger Waters
band nowadays). He now plays regular annual shows at small venues in Scandinavia
, such as the "Summer Party" in Fredrikstad
, Norway
, where he has been playing consecutive gigs every August for nearly six years.
After moving to Spain, Hensley kept his schedule busy and released "The Last Dance" (with new songs), "The Wizard's Diary" (Uriah Heep classics re-recorded in 2004) and "Cold Autumn Sunday" (Ken's solo songs re-recorded in 2005).
Featuring a number of special guests, the rock opera "Blood On The Highway" was recorded at the end of 2006 and released in May 2007. The story portrays the rise and fall of a rock'n'roll star and the eventual restart. The lead vocals role was split between Ken himself, plus Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple
, Trapeze
, Black Sabbath
), Jorn Lande (ex-The Snakes
, Masterplan), John Lawton
(ex-Lucifer's Friend
, Uriah Heep
) and Eve Gallagher
.
In September 2008, Ken Hensley joined the stage again with John Lawton
, Lee Kerslake
and Paul Newton, all of Uriah Heep
fame plus the addition of ex-Focus
guitarist Jan Dumée
, for the "Heepvention 2008" fans meeting. Two shows with one acoustic one day and a full set the day after set the standard for Uriah Heep's music through two decades.
Plumstead
Plumstead is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. Plumstead is a multi cultural area with large Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, in similarity to local areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead...
, South East London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player (especially Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
), guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist, singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
best known for his work with Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
during the 1970s.
He wrote or cowrote the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including such hits as "Look at Yourself", "Lady in Black
Lady in Black (song)
"Lady in Black" is a song by the 1970s rock band Uriah Heep. It is the fourth track of their 1971 album Salisbury.The song is credited to Ken Hensley. It tells the story of a man wandering through war-torn darkness and encountering a goddess-like entity who consoles him...
" (on both of which he also sang lead vocals), "Easy Livin'", "Stealin'
Stealin' (Uriah Heep song)
"Stealin'" is Uriah Heep's biggest hit from the concept album, Sweet Freedom. The second track on the album, it deals with the regrets that come with living a self-obsessed life.It was a huge hit worldwide and reached gold status in New Zealand....
" and "Free Me".
Biography
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Hensley moved with his parents, three brothers and sister to Stevenage
Stevenage
Stevenage is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England. It is situated to the east of junctions 7 and 8 of the A1, and is between Letchworth Garden City to the north, and Welwyn Garden City to the south....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
in 1945. He learned how to play guitar at the age of 12 from a Bert Weedon manual. His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage (September 1960). After that, he played with The Blue Notes, Ken And The Cousins and Kit And The Saracens (1962). In 1963, this band evolved into The Jimmy Brown Sound, and they recorded some now lost songs. At this time, Hensley's first "professional" opportunity almost came about: they were to back Ben E. King on a British visit, but it never happened.
In Early 1965, Hensley formed a band called The Gods
The Gods (band)
The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor , Brian Glascock, and his brother John .-Career:...
, with the young guitarist Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
, well known later for his work with The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. Ken wrote most of the material, sang and played the Hammond
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
B3 organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
as the band already had the talented Mick Taylor on guitar. The Gods' line-up included, at one time or another, vocalist and guitar/bass player Greg Lake
Greg Lake
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
(later of King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
), bass player Paul Newton
Paul Newton
Paul Newton, Australian artist who has twice won the Packing Room award at the Archibald Prize. He won in 1996 with a portrait of announcer John Laws, and again in 2001 with a portrait of characters Roy Slaven and HG Nelson, which also won the people's choice award...
(later the first Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
bassist), drummer Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
(later also of Heep), bassist John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
(later of Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
), and guitarist Joe Konas. In early 1968 they signed with Columbia Records and recorded two LPs and several singles. After that, Newton left the band to join Spice
Spice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
, an Essex-based band. Ken also played on a one-album side project of The Gods
The Gods (band)
The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor , Brian Glascock, and his brother John .-Career:...
initially planned to become their 3rd album, but was recorded and eventually released in 1969/1970 under the moniker Head Machine's "Orgasm". The album was produced by David Paramor (producer of "The Gods") and both Hensley and Kerslake featured, along with John Glasscock on bass, Brian Glasscock on drums, and David Paramor on vocals, all under pseudonyms. Ken played mostly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career. Although Paramor was credited as composer, the songs bear many of Hensley's influences. The album was released before Hensley joined Toe Fat and might almost be considered a prototype for the harder side of his future work in Uriah Heep.
The band eventually split but Cliff Bennett, from Rebel Rouser, decided to move in a more "progressive" direction and asked The Gods guys to join him. Under the name Toe Fat
Toe Fat
Toe Fat was an English rock music band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep.-Career:Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two year, two album career, featured lead guitarist and...
they released two LPs, but only the first featured Ken.
Paul Newton
Paul Newton (musician)
Paul Newton was the original bass guitarist for Uriah Heep, and played on the band's first three albums. He subsequently played for a band called "Carnival" for several years on the Mecca Palais circuit and also worked as a studio musician and appeared on various recordings...
asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in Spice
Spice (band)
Spice was the immediate precursor to English rock band Uriah Heep, featuring David Byron , Mick Box , Paul Newton , and Alex Napier...
, as they were looking after a keyboards player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive, in keeping with the current trend. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
. Also in the line-up were guitarist Mick Box
Mick Box
Michael Frederick Box , better known by his stage name Mick Box, is the lead guitarist of British rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron. He is the only member from the band's founding in 1969 who is...
and vocalist David Byron
David Byron
David Byron -Early Life 1967-1969:From mid-60's to early 70's David Byron did a lot of session work for a company called Avenue Recordings singing lead and backing vocals...
. With Uriah Heep, Hensley found a place to develop and showcase his songwriting and lyrical abilities as well as his keyboard and guitar playing. Major success came, and Heep is now considered one of the UK's most legendary progressive rock bands. The band's classic line-up featured Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain
Gary Thain
Gary Mervin Thain was a rock bassist, best known for his work with British band, Uriah Heep.-Biography:Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix...
, plus the management provided by Gerry Bron
Gerry Bron
Gerald L. Bron is an English record producer and band manager. In his early days, he managed the Bonzo Dog Band.Bron is the brother of actress Eleanor Bron. His family is Jewish. He is also of Eastern European origin...
(Bronze Records
Bronze Records
Bronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes and Colosseum...
). During his time with Heep (1970–1980), they recorded 13 studio albums, and the acclaimed live album "Uriah Heep Live - January 1973" along with many compilations and singles. Hensley also recorded his first two solo albums, "Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf" (1973) and "Eager To Please" (1975) during this time. He was supported mainly by Mark Clarke and Bugs Pemberton.
After the departure of bassist Gary Thain (who died in 1975) and vocalist David Byron, other musicians were brought into the Heep family: John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
(Family
Family (band)
Family were an English rock band that formed in late 1966 and disbanded in October 1973. Their style has been characterised as progressive rock, although their sound often explored other genres, incorporating elements of styles like as folk, psychedelia, acid, jazz fusion and rock and roll...
, King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
, Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, later of UK
UK (band)
U.K. were a short-lived British progressive rock supergroup active from 1977 until 1980.The band was composed of Singer/Bassist John Wetton, formerly of King Crimson, Bryan Ferry's band and Uriah Heep, Keyboardist/Electric Violinist Eddie Jobson, formerly of Curved Air, Roxy Music and Frank Zappa's...
and Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
), Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder is an English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with The Spiders From Mars, the one-time backing band for David Bowie, although he has played alongside a variety of musicians since the...
(from Spiders From Mars, later of Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
) and John Lawton
John Lawton (musician)
John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
(Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a 1970s German Rock band. Allmusic author, Eduardo Rivadavia, noted the group as, "early practitioners of heavy metal and progressive rock." They also incorporated elements of jazz into their music. The band have also been cited as one of the pioneers of doom metal.-History:The...
), among others. The chemistry though, was unable to match that of the classic lineup.
In 1980 Hensley left the band, unhappy with the musical direction they had chosen. After trying to put a new band together in the UK (Shotgun), he later moved to the USA and played a few gigs in North America as The Ken Hensley Band. Around this time he released his third solo LP, "Free Spirit" (1980).
In 1982 Hensley joined Blackfoot
Blackfoot (band)
Blackfoot is a Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they are primarily a Southern rock band, they were known also as a hard rock act....
, a hard rock Florida-based band. With them, he recorded two albums (1983's "Siogoa" and 1984's "Vertical Smiles"). Although the group achieved some success, Hensley left after Bron informed him of Heep vocalist David Byron's sad death in 1985.
After 1985, Hensley lived in semi-retirement in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), making a few appearances with W.A.S.P., Cinderella
Cinderella (band)
Cinderella is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation. They were famous for being a glam metal band, but then shifted over towards a more hard...
and others.
Blackie Lawless
Blackie Lawless
Blackie Lawless , is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist and actor, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band W.A.S.P..In an interview, Blackie claims to have been born in the kitchen of the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood,...
(W.A.S.P.) attempted to define what Hensley means to the rock'n'roll history:
"Ken Hensley wrote the rule book for heavy metal keyboards as far as I'm concerned."
This could be debated as Jon Lord of Deep Purple may have written the rule book for heavy metal keyboards in general. Ken Hensley likely wrote the rule book for heavy metal piano as heard in Paradise/The Spell from Demons and Wizards. The period also gave birth to many other amazing keyboardists/organists, not the least of which were Alan Taff Freeman of Nektar, and John Evan of Jethro Tull.
Surprisingly though, things began to change in the mid 90s after years of silence. In 1994, "From Time To Time", a collection of lost recordings, was released featuring rare songs recorded by Ken between 1971 and 1982, as well as some very good early versions of Heep's classic songs, played by Ken and his roommates at that time, namely guitarist Paul Kossoff
Paul Kossoff
Paul Francis Kossoff was an English rock guitarist best known as a member of the band Free.Kossoff was ranked 51st in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" -Early days:...
and drummer Simon Kirke
Simon Kirke
Simon Kirke is an English rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company.-Biography:...
(both of Free
Free (band)
Free were an English rock band, formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Simon Kirke on drums; lead guitarist Paul Kossoff died from a...
). Other musicians on the songs were bassist Boz Burrell
Boz Burrell
Raymond "Boz" Burrell was an English musician. Originally a vocalist, Burrell is best known for his bass playing and work with the rock bands King Crimson and Bad Company.-Career:...
(King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
), guitarist Mick Ralphs
Mick Ralphs
Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
(Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
), drummers Ian Paice
Ian Paice
Ian Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
(Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
) and Kenny Jones (The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
), amongst others.
In 1999 Hensley's musical activities began to increase, besides his work with St. Louis Music. He recorded an album, "A Glimpse Of Glory", together with his band Visible Faith. An eclectic collection of ballads and hard rock tunes, this album was hugely acclaimed by fans who were hungry for new material from Ken. Bud Martin engineered the Visible Faith album and was his chief engineer from 1996-1998.
During the fourth Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called "Hensley/Lawton Band". Ken was joined by former Heep singer John Lawton
John Lawton (musician)
John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
, their first public collaboration since John's departure from Heep in 1979. With them were Paul Newton
Paul Newton
Paul Newton, Australian artist who has twice won the Packing Room award at the Archibald Prize. He won in 1996 with a portrait of announcer John Laws, and again in 2001 with a portrait of characters Roy Slaven and HG Nelson, which also won the people's choice award...
(Heep's original bassist), and two members of John's band, Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a sort of old Heep classics and some of Ken's solo songs to an amazed audience, and the concert was recorded for a proper CD release, followed by a tour in Europe culminating with a concert in Hamburg, Germany, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic "Salisbury"!
This is definitely not the end of the story, since Hensley has been quite busy working on his solo career. "Running Blind", his first effort in 21 years, was released worldwide and followed by a world tour with his band called "Free Spirit", that included some incredible musicians: Dave Kilminster
Dave Kilminster
Dave Kilminster is a British guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and music teacher. He is known for touring with Keith Emerson and with Roger Waters on his The Dark Side Of The Moon 2006 - 2008 tour, performing much of the guitar and vocal duties that are originally David Gilmour's...
(guitar), Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle is an English bass guitarist. He played with The Kinks from 1976–1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig and Savoy Brown...
(bass) and Pete Riley
Pete Riley
Pete Riley is an acoustic rock singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer of the band Treehouse. You can find much more detailed and up to date information at -References:...
(drums). Kilminster and Riley later also played in the Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
Band (Kilminster is part of Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
band nowadays). He now plays regular annual shows at small venues in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, such as the "Summer Party" in Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Fredrikstad....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, where he has been playing consecutive gigs every August for nearly six years.
After moving to Spain, Hensley kept his schedule busy and released "The Last Dance" (with new songs), "The Wizard's Diary" (Uriah Heep classics re-recorded in 2004) and "Cold Autumn Sunday" (Ken's solo songs re-recorded in 2005).
Featuring a number of special guests, the rock opera "Blood On The Highway" was recorded at the end of 2006 and released in May 2007. The story portrays the rise and fall of a rock'n'roll star and the eventual restart. The lead vocals role was split between Ken himself, plus Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Trapeze
Trapeze (band)
Trapeze were an English rock band formed in March 1969, by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley , with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
), Jorn Lande (ex-The Snakes
The Snakes
The Snakes were a British-Norwegian hard rock band, formed by former Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody in 1997. The line-up consisted of guitarists Marsden and Moody with Norwegian musicians, vocalist Jørn Lande, bassist Sid Ringsby, who later joined the Norwegian band TNT, and...
, Masterplan), John Lawton
John Lawton (musician)
John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
(ex-Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a 1970s German Rock band. Allmusic author, Eduardo Rivadavia, noted the group as, "early practitioners of heavy metal and progressive rock." They also incorporated elements of jazz into their music. The band have also been cited as one of the pioneers of doom metal.-History:The...
, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
) and Eve Gallagher
Eve Gallagher
Eve Gallagher is an English singer from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear associated with the house music scene.-Career:Eve Gallagher first came to prominence in 1990 with the release of her debut single "Love Come Down"...
.
In September 2008, Ken Hensley joined the stage again with John Lawton
John Lawton (musician)
John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
, Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
and Paul Newton, all of Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
fame plus the addition of ex-Focus
Focus (band)
Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
guitarist Jan Dumée
Jan Dumée
Jan Dumée is a Dutch rock/jazz guitar player, composer and record producer.-With Focus:*Focus 8 *Live in the USA *Live in South America -External links:* * * * *...
, for the "Heepvention 2008" fans meeting. Two shows with one acoustic one day and a full set the day after set the standard for Uriah Heep's music through two decades.
Bands & guest appearances
- The GodsThe Gods (band)The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor , Brian Glascock, and his brother John .-Career:...
(1965–1969) – lead vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar - Head Machine (1969) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars (This was a one-album project put together by a producer.)
- Toe FatToe FatToe Fat was an English rock music band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep.-Career:Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two year, two album career, featured lead guitarist and...
(1969) – keyboards, backing vocals, occasional guitar - Weed (1971) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars (A one-album side project for Hensley. The other musicians playing on the album are thought to have been from a GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
band called Virus.) - Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
(1970–1980) – keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals, acoustic and slide guitar, primary songwriter - Shotgun (1981) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
- Ken Hensley Band (1981) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
- BlackfootBlackfoot (band)Blackfoot is a Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they are primarily a Southern rock band, they were known also as a hard rock act....
(1982–1985) – keyboards, backing vocals, slide guitar - W.A.S.P. (The Headless ChildrenThe Headless ChildrenThe Headless Children is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released by Capitol Records in 1989. It is now the highest selling W.A.S.P. album to date , producing 3 UK Top 40 hit singles, with 'Mean Man' missing the top 20 by one spot...
, 1989) – keyboards - CinderellaCinderella (band)Cinderella is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation. They were famous for being a glam metal band, but then shifted over towards a more hard...
(Heartbreak StationHeartbreak StationHeartbreak Station is Cinderella's third studio album, released in 1990 through Mercury Records. It hit #19 in the US and went platinum for shipping a million albums there the same year...
, 1990) - hammond organ - Ken Hensley & Visible Faith (1999) - lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
- Bruce CameronBruce Cameron (guitarist)Bruce Cameron was a guitarist who managed to attract a number of famous rock-and-roll musicians to record his 1999 debut and only album, Midnight Daydream, released by Brain Cell Records...
(Midnight DaydreamMidnight DaydreamMidnight Daydream is an album by Bruce Cameron, released in 1999.-Track listing:#"Midnight Daydream" – 6:42#"Doctor Please" – 4:52#"Mind Gardens" – 5:24#"Miles Away" – 3:29#"Born to Lose" – 5:32#"I Want to Be Late" – 4:19...
, 1999) - keyboards - Hensley/LawtonJohn LawtonJohn Lawton may refer to:* John Lawton , thrice Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme* John Lawton Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme* John Lawton * John Lawton...
Band (2000–2001) – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals - Ken Hensley/John WettonJohn WettonJohn Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
(2001) – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals - Ken Hensley & Free Spirit (2002) - keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
- AyreonAyreonAyreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
(2004) - hammond solo on "LoserLoser (Ayreon song)"Loser" is the fifth single by Ayreon, released on July 26, 2004, from their album The Human Equation. Although it is released under Ayreon's name, the version of the song was made by Star One. This version of “Day Sixteen: Loser” is very different from the album version. On this version, Peter...
" from the album The Human EquationThe Human EquationThe Human Equation is the sixth album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released under the name Ayreon. It was released on May 25, 2004. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several musicians previously unrelated to the project, including James LaBrie of Dream Theater, Mikael... - Ken Hensley & The Viking All-Stars Band (2005) - keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
- Ken Hensley & Live Fire (2006–present) - keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
- TherionTherion (band)Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
(2007) - hammond solo on "Trul" from the album Gothic KabbalahGothic Kabbalah-External links:* * at Nuclear Blast USA* at Nuclear Blast Europe* Gothic Kabbalah at MusicBrainz: ,... - Toni Rowland (Unfolding, 2008) - keyboards, guitars, producer
- B.T.R.B.T.R.B.T.R. is a Bulgarian modern rock band, founded in 1984.- Formation & Early Years :The band was formed in the NGDEK, the National High School For Ancient Languages and Cultures, in 1984 by Valentin Guevski , Milen Marchev , and Yasen Petrov . During the early years up to 1991 there are nearly...
(2008) - keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals (The BulgariaBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n hard rock band played with Hensley on a few occasions most of which also included John Lawton.) - Sunrize (2011) - Touring together with the Bulgarian rock band Sunrize during their "Rock on the Rocks tour 2011".
Solo albums
- Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf (1973)
- Eager To Please (1975)
- Free Spirit (1980)
- The Best Of Ken Hensley (1990)
- From Time To Time (1994)
- A Glimpse Of Glory (1999)
- Ken Hensley Anthology (2000)
- Running Blind (2002)
- The Last Dance (2003)
- The Wizard's Diary (CD/DVD, 2004)
- Cold Autumn Sunday (2005)
- Elements - Anthology 1968 To 2005 (2006)
- Inside The Mystery (2006)
- Blood On The Highway (2007)
- Live Fire (DVD, 2007)
- Blood On The Highway - Release Concert (DVD, 2008)
- Love... And Other Mysteries (planned release in 2011)
With Uriah Heep
- Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble (1970)
- Salisbury (1971)
- Look At Yourself (1971)
- Demons And Wizards (1972)
- The Magician's Birthday (1972)
- Uriah Heep Live (1973)
- Sweet Freedom (1973)
- Wonderworld (1974)
- Return To Fantasy (1975)
- The Best Of Uriah Heep (1975)
- High And Mighty (1976)
- Firefly (1977)
- Innocent Victim (1977)
- Fallen Angel (1978)
- Conquest (1980)
- Live At Shepperton '74 (1986)
- Live In Europe 1979 (1986)
- Still 'Eavy Still Proud (1990)
- Rarities From The Bronze Age (1991)
- The Lansdowne Tapes (1993)
- A Time Of Revelation (1996)
- Live In San Diego 1974 (1997)
- Chapter & Verse - The Uriah Heep Story (2005)
With The Gods
- Genesis (1968)
- To Samuel A Son (1969)
- The Gods Featuring Ken Hensley (1976)
With Blackfoot
- Siogo (1983)
- Vertical Smiles (1984)
- KBFH Presents Blackfoot Live 1983 (1998)
Books
- Uriah Heep - 10 Jahre Rockmusik (Markus Ott & Ken Hensley, 1980)
- When Too Many Dreams Come True - The Ken Hensley Story (2006)
External links
- Ken Hensley official website
- Official website for pre-1986 Uriah Heep
- Uriah Heep official website
- Uriah Heep France
- Official US Uriah Heep fan website
- "England's Own Uriah Heep" fan website
- Netherlands Uriah Heep fan website
- A biography
- Interview with Ken Hensley October 2011
- Toni Rowland Official Website