BOBBY GRAHAM R.I.P.
Bobby Graham, top British session drummer of the '60s who played on over 15,000 tracks for the hit-makers of that period, passed away on 14 September 2009 in Welwyn Garden City, Herts, UK after a four month battle with stomach cancer. Aged 69, he was born Robert Neate in north London and started his career playing at Butlins and with The Outlaws (in effect the house band for legendary producer Joe Meek) as well as Joe Brown and The Bruvvers, Marty Wilde's Wildcats and the John Barry Seven. His drumming prowess with these bands drew the attention of the top record producers and session fixers, and Bobby began his unique career as a leading - if unsung - musical pillar of the Swinging '60s. The artists he accompanied on record read like a roll call of '60s stardom. They include The Animals, Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, P J Proby, The Fortunes, Cilla Black, The Pretty Things and Gene Pitney among many others. Bobby was first choice for the prominent musical directors of the time such as Les Reed, Charles Blackwell and Arthur Greenslade. Bobby, who described himself and his fellow sessioneers as "musical stuntmen", went on to produce records himself in the UK and on the Continent. His last activity before illness intervened was recording and performing with his band The Jazz Experience. He is survived by his wife Belinda, son Shawn and younger brother Ian. For more information please see his website, and that of the publisher of his biography "Session Man."
http://www.bobbygraham.co.uk
http://www.broomhousepublishing.com
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