Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David ('Ken') Hensley (born on 24 August, 1945, in Plumstead, South East London, England) is a keyboard (especially Hammond organ) player, guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s.
He wrote, or co-wrote, the majority of the 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".
Biography
Paul Newton asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in Spice, since they were looking after a keyboards player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive at the time. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into Uriah Heep. Also on the line-up were guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron. With Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley found a place to develop and show to the world his songwriting and lyrics abilities, keyboards and guitar playing. The major success came, and Heep is now acclaimed as one of UK's most legendary rock bands. The chemistry of the most classic line-up including Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain, plus the management provided by Gerry Bron (Bronz Records), were the launching points of their tremendous capability of making great music. During his time with Heep (1970 - 1980), they recorded 13 studio albums, and one of the most acclaimed live albums of all times: "Uriah Heep Live - January 1973" (not to mention lots of compilations and singles). Hensley also recorded his first 2 solo albums, "Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf" (1973) and "Eager To Please" (1975) during this time.
Bands & roles
- The Gods (1965–1968) – Lead vocals and keyboards, occasional guitar
- Toe Fat (1968) – keyboards, backing vocals, occasional guitar
- Head Machine (1968) – Lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
- (this was a one-album project put together by a producer to showcase his own songs)
- Uriah Heep (1969–1980) – keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals, acoustic and slide guitar, primary songwriter
- Weed (1971) – Lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
- (the other musicians playing on the album are thought to have been from a German band called Virus. A one-shot side project from Uriah Heep)
- Blackfoot (1982–1985) – keyboards, vocals, slide guitar
- W.A.S.P. (guest on 1989 album) – keyboards, producer
- Bruce Cameron {guest on album} - keyboards
- Hensley-Lawton Band (2000–2001) – keyboards, guitar, lead and backing vocals
- Ken Hensley's Free Spirit (2002) - keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals
- Ayreon (2004) - Hammond solo on "Day Sixteen: Loser" from the album The Human Equation.
- Ken Hensley & the Viking All-Stars Band (2005) - keyboards, guitars and lead vocals
Books
- When Too Many Dreams Come True - The Ken Hensley Story (2006)
Solo album discography
- 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 - Volume 1 (2004)
- Cold Autumn Sunday (2005)
- Elements - Anthology 1968 To 2005 (2006)
- Inside The Mystery (2006)
- Live Fire (DVD) (2007)
- Blood On The Highway (2007)