Biography
Ken Hensley is a British rock musician, a composer, a vocalist, the main hemitakeker of the Uriah Heep group. After leaving the team built a successful solo career.Childhood and youth
Kenneth William David Hensley was born on August 24, 1945 in London, United Kingdom. Shortly after the birth of the musician, the family moved to Stephenge. The singer had a Dun sister, Trevor and Mark brothers.
Embed from getty imagesPlaying the guitar the composer learned in 12 years under the leadership of Bert Odon. In 1960, his first performance was held at the Mentmore Pen Factory factory.
In 1965, Ken created the team of The Gods, in which, in addition to him, the future stars of rock music participated. Guitarist Mick Taylor subsequently replaced Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones, Grag Lake vocalist became the legend of progressive rock. Li Kersleik played on the drums, familiar to the fans of Uriah Heep, and the bassist John Glasok later entered the Jethro Tull.
In early 1968, The Gods concluded a contract with Emi Records, recorded two records and several singles.
Personal life
The personal life of the composer was complicated because of his addiction to drugs. The artist was married several times. With all former spouses, he retained a good relationship.The last wife Monica singer met in the USA. By nationality she is Spanish. For some time, the spouses lived in England, and in 2001 moved to the Agost, Spain. Life there turned out to be cheaper, and the weather is much better. The musician equipped a home studio, where she worked every day for 5 hours.
At first, Ken did not speak Spanish and asked Monica to translate. But then this woman is tired, and she made the spouse on their own shopping and talk on the phone. So he had to learn the language.
Hensley had no children, but in 2007 a foster son from the Gypsy family appeared. However, the boy behaved so terrible that he had to give it back in half a year.
Music
The most important part of the keyboard player's music biography was associated with Uriah Heep. The team performed hard rock with elements of art rock. Texts were filled with symbols and fabulous motifs characteristic of medieval romances. I liked this music not to everyone. In the reviews on the debut plate of Melissa Mills from Rolling Stone wrote:
"If this group succeeds, I will have to commit suicide."After a couple of years, the guys stood up in one row with LED Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.
In the discography of the team there were such legendary albums as Look At Yourself, Demons and Wizards, The Magician's Birthday. In many ways, success became merit Hensley, who composed the most famous group hits - Lady in Black and July Morning.
By 1975, problems of both personal and musical problems began at Uriah Heep. The team was falling apart because of the abundance of drinking and drugs. Newspapers published scandalous photos where the musicians behaved like crazy. Vocalist David Byron broke the concerts and rustled producers. No less problems delivered the conflict between Hensley and the manager of Jerry Bronon, who mercilessly exploited artists and satisfied the whole success.
After the care of Byron, the band recorded several albums that were sold worse than early records. In 1980, disappointed Hensley left the team.
Since 2002, Rock musician toured in Russia with pleasure. At Sony Music, he was given to listen to the disk with the Rock Opera "Juno and Avos". Hensley appreciated the masterpiece and in 2005 included in the album Cold Autumn Sunday Ballad Romance, created under the explicit influence of the song "I will never forget you."
Death
Ken Hensley passed on November 4, 2020. The sad news was informed by the brother of the musician Trevor Hensley on his page in Facebook.The cause of death did not disclose. But it is known that it was a short sickness, the artist almost did not suffer. Sobolences to the family expressed Mick Boxing.
In recent days, Monica's wife cared for Hensley. The body of the musician was cremated at a private ceremony in Spain.
Discography
- 1973 - PROUD WORDS ON DUSTY SHELF
- 1975 - Eager to Please
- 1980 - Free Spirit
- 1990 - The Best Of Ken Hensley
- 1994 - From Time to Time
- 1999 - A GLIMPE OF GLORY
- 2000 - Ken Hensley Anthology
- 2002 - Running Blind
- 2003 - The Last Dance
- 2005 - Cold Autumn Sunday
- 2006 - Inside The Mystery
- 2007 - Blood on The Highway
- 2012 - Love & Other Mysteries
- 2013 - Live Tales
- 2017 - Rare & Timeless