Thus began the Great San Francisco Singing Telegram Depression of 1981. Gunar Madsen and Matthew Stull, two of the newly unemployed, placed a free 25-words-or-less ad in the classifieds for a bass singer. They got one call - - from bass singer, songwriter and recording engineer Richard Greene.
After six months of rehearsal, the trio debuted at an open mike in a Cuban restaurant. The audience loved them. “The Bobs” were born.
At first, “The Bobs’” material consisted of uniquely arranged cover tunes. As they began writing their own songs, the need for another voice became apparent. Auditions found Janie ‘Bob’ Scott.
A contract with local record company Kaleidoscope Records produced a first album, The Bobs. A Grammy nomination for their arrangement of The Beatles’ “Helter Shelter” and a national concert tour resulted in radio airplay and televisions appearances, followed by concerts and festivals in Europe.
Their special blend of music, theatre, comedy and performance art moved the Los Angeles Daily news to comment, “The Bobs prove that the best instrument in creating music is the human brain. They are nothing less than sensational.”
Over 20 years later, “The Bobs,” a band without instruments, say that they are still bob-bob-bobbin’ along with surprisingly few personnel changes.
In 1990, Gunnar retired, replaced by Joe Bob Finetti, whose vocal percussion and sound effects added a new layer of vocal pyrotechnics to the sound.
Highlights of the group’s career include performing with Jason Alexander on the Emmy Awards telecast, and providing musical commentary for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.
Citations have included Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) too numerous to mention since the Awards were established in 1992.
“The Bobs” continue to add to their musical palette of possibilities, honing a catalogue of twelve albums of witty original material and outrageous covers of classic songs.
They are among the elite handful of totally original creators, who use just their voices and body percussion to fill a room with an orchestra of harmonious sound.
“The Bobs” have left an indelible mark on vocal music as they expertly skewer standards and establish their own hilarious norms.
Please join Scott Valley Bank and event sponsors Hanon’s Floors; Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park; and Angelini’s Italian Restaurant this Friday, June 30th, 6:30 n 8:30 p.m. in Yreka’s Miner Street Park n to welcom back, and enjoy, “The Bobs.” Lawn seating.
Reprinted with permission from the Siskiyou Daily News: http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/articles/2006/06/29/news/arts_and_entertainment/doc44a464a6a3f6e844302281.txt
Click on the wrench in the upper left-hand corner to see what else you can do.