![]() ![]() During his time with Heep (1970–1980), they recorded 13 studio albums, and the live album Uriah Heep Live – January 1973 along with many compilations and singles. The band's "classic" line-up featured Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain, plus the management provided by Gerry Bron ( Bronze Records). With Uriah Heep, Hensley found a place to develop and showcase his songwriting and lyrical abilities as well as his keyboard and guitar playing. Also in the line-up were guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into Uriah Heep. Paul Newton asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in Spice, as they were looking for a keyboard player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive, in keeping with the current trend. Under the name Toe Fat they released two LPs, but only the first featured Hensley. The band eventually split but Cliff Bennett, from the Rebel Rousers, decided to move in a more "progressive" direction and asked The Gods to join him. 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. Although Paramor was credited as composer, the songs bear many of Hensley's influences. Hensley played mostly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career. The album was produced by David Paramor (producer of "The Gods") and both Hensley and Kerslake featured, along with John Glascock on bass, Brian Glascock on drums, and David Paramor on vocals, all under pseudonyms. Hensley also then played on a one-album side project of The Gods initially planned to become their third album, but was recorded and eventually released in 1969/1970 under the moniker Head Machine's Orgasm. In early 1968, they signed with Columbia Records and recorded two LPs and several singles. 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. ![]() Hensley wrote most of the material, sang and played the Hammond B3 organ as the band already had Taylor on guitar. In early 1965, Hensley formed a band called The Gods, with the young guitarist Mick Taylor, well known later for his work with John Mayall and The Rolling Stones. King on a British visit, but it never happened. At this time, Hensley's first "professional" opportunity almost came about: they were to back Ben E. ![]() In 1963, this band evolved into The Jimmy Brown Sound, and they recorded some now lost songs. After that, he played with The Blue Notes, Ken and the Cousins and Kit and the Saracens (1962). His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage (September 1960). He learned how to play guitar at the age of 12 from a Bert Weedon manual. He wrote or co-wrote the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including the singles " Lady in Black" (on which he sang lead vocals), " Easy Livin'" and " Stealin'", as well as " Look at Yourself", and "Free Me".īorn in Plumstead, south-east London, Hensley moved with his parents, three brothers and sister to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1945. Kenneth William David Hensley (24 August 1945 – 4 November 2020) was an English musician, singer, songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s. Ken Hensley bronze portrait by sculptor Giennadij Jerszow 2014
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