![Ken Hensley by Giennadij Jerszow](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Ken_Hensley_by_Giennadij_Jerszow.jpg)
Kenneth William David Hensley (24 August 1945
– 4 November 2020) was an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, best known for his work with
Uriah Heep during the 1970s.
He wrote or co-wrote the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including the
hit
Hit means to strike someone or something.
Hit or HIT may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super''
* Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...
singles "
Lady in Black" (on which he sang lead vocals), "
Easy Livin'" and "
Stealin'", as well as "
Look at Yourself", and "Free Me".
Biography
Born in Plumstead, south-east London, Hensley moved with his parents, three brothers and sister to
Stevenage
Stevenage ( ) is a large town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, about north of London. Stevenage is east of junctions 7 and 8 of the A1(M), between Letchworth Garden City to the north and Welwyn Garden City to the south. In 1946, Stevena ...
, Hertfordshire, in 1945. He learned how to play guitar at the age of 12 from a Bert Weedon manual. His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage (September 1960). After that, he played with The Blue Notes, Ken and the Cousins and Kit and the Saracens (1962). In 1963, this band evolved into The Jimmy Brown Sound, and they recorded some now lost songs. At this time, Hensley's first "professional" opportunity almost came about: they were to back
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King (né Nelson; September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of " Stand by Me"—a US Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later ...
on a British visit, but it never happened.
In early 1965, Hensley formed a band called
The Gods,
with the young guitarist
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin Taylor (born 17 January 1949) is an English guitarist, best known as a former member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (1967–1969) and the Rolling Stones (1969–1974). As a member of the Stones, h ...
, well known later for his work with
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE (born 29 November 1933) is an English blues singer, musician and songwriter, whose musical career spans over sixty years. In the 1960s, he was the founder of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among it ...
and
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...
. Hensley wrote most of the material, sang and played the
Hammond B3 organ as the band already had Taylor on guitar.
The Gods' line-up included, at one time or another, vocalist and guitar/bass player
Greg Lake (later of
King Crimson
King Crimson are a progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London, England. The band draws inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, industrial, electronic, experime ...
and
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards), Greg Lake (vocals, bass, guitar, producer) and Carl Palmer (drums, percus ...
),
bass player
Paul Newton (later the first
Uriah Heep bassist), drummer
Lee Kerslake
Lee Gary Kerslake (16 April 1947– 19 September 2020) was an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep and for his work with Ozzy Osbourne in the early 1980s.
Biography Early life a ...
(later also of Heep), bassist
John Glascock
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Second ...
(later of
Jethro Tull), and guitarist Joe Konas. In early 1968, they signed with Columbia Records and recorded two LPs and several singles.
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''. 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
Brian Glascock (born 17 July 1948) is an English rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Carmen, Captain Beyond, Soy Cowboy, and primarily for The Motels. He also played on albums by Dolly Parton, Iggy Pop, and Joan Armatrading. He performed ...
on drums, and David Paramor on vocals, all under pseudonyms. Hensley played mostly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career. Although Paramor was credited as composer, the songs bear many of Hensley's influences. 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.
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. Under the name
Toe Fat
Toe Fat were an English rock band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep and a future member of Jethro Tull.
Career
Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Ben ...
they released two LPs, but only the first featured Hensley.
Paul Newton asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in
Spice
A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spices a ...
, as they were looking for a keyboard player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive, in keeping with the current trend. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into
Uriah Heep.
Also in the line-up were guitarist
Mick Box
Michael Frederick Box (born 9 June 1947) is an English musician who is the lead guitarist of rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron.Larkin, Colin (20 ...
and vocalist
David Byron. With Uriah Heep, Hensley found a place to develop and showcase his songwriting and lyrical abilities as well as his keyboard and guitar playing.
The band's "classic" line-up featured Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist
Gary Thain, plus the management provided by
Gerry Bron
Gerald Lincoln "Gerry" Bron (1 March 1933 – 18 June 2012) was an English record producer and band manager.
Early life and education
Bron was born in Hendon, Middlesex, into a Jewish family, the elder brother of actress Eleanor Bron. Their fat ...
(
Bronze Records
Bronze Records was an independent English record label founded in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron on Oxford Street in London, eventually relocating to Chalk Farm.
History
Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up ...
). 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. Hensley also recorded his first two solo albums, ''Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf'' (1973) and ''Eager To Please'' (1975) during this time.
He was supported mainly by Mark Clarke and Bugs Pemberton.
After the departure of bassist Gary Thain (who died in 1975) and vocalist David Byron, other musicians were brought into the Heep family:
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. Known for his dexterous bass playing and booming baritone voice, Wetton first gained fame in the early 1970s.
Wetton was the singer and p ...
(
Family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
,
King Crimson
King Crimson are a progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London, England. The band draws inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, industrial, electronic, experime ...
,
Roxy Music
Roxy Music are an English rock music, rock band formed in 1970 by Bryan Ferry—who became the band's lead vocalist and principal songwriter—and bassist Graham Simpson (musician), Graham Simpson. The other longtime members are Phil Manzanera ...
, later of
U.K.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
and
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
),
Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder (9 June 1950 – 21 May 2013) was an English rock musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with the Spiders from Mars, the backing band for David Bowie, a ...
(from
Spiders From Mars
The Spiders from Mars were rock singer David Bowie's backing band in the early 1970s, and initially consisted of Mick Ronson on guitars, Trevor Bolder on bass guitar, and Mick Woodmansey on drums.
The group had its origins in Bowie's earlier ba ...
, later of
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular albums included ''Wishbone Ash'' (1970), ''Pilgrimage'' (1971), '' Argus'' (1972), ''Wishbone Four'' (1973), ''There's the Rub'' (1974), and '' ...
) and
John Lawton (
Lucifer's Friend
Lucifer's Friend was a German rock band, formed in Hamburg in 1970 by guitarist Peter Hesslein, singer John Lawton, bassist Dieter Horns, keyboardist Peter Hecht, and drummer Joachim Reitenbach. The group was an early practitioner of heavy met ...
), among others.
In 1980 Hensley left the band,
unhappy with the musical direction they had chosen. After trying to put a new band together in the UK (Shotgun), he later moved to the US and played a few gigs in North America as The Ken Hensley Band. Around this time he released his third solo LP, ''Free Spirit'' (1980).
In 1982, Hensley joined
Blackfoot
The Blackfoot Confederacy, ''Niitsitapi'' or ''Siksikaitsitapi'' (ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ, meaning "the people" or " Blackfoot-speaking real people"), is a historic collective name for linguistically related groups that make up the Blackfoot or Bla ...
, a hard rock Florida-based band.
With them, he recorded two albums (1983's ''
Siogo
''Siogo'' is the sixth album by the American Southern rock band Blackfoot, released in 1983. It is the first of two albums featuring former Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley.
Although the band told their record company that "Siogo" was an In ...
'' and 1984's ''
Vertical Smiles
''Vertical Smiles'' is the seventh studio album by Southern rock band Blackfoot.
It is the second and last album to feature former Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley and the first without guitarist Charlie Hargrett who left during the recordi ...
'').
Although the group achieved some success, Hensley left after Bron informed him of Heep vocalist David Byron's death in 1985.
After 1985, Hensley lived in semi-retirement in St Louis, Missouri (US), making a few appearances with
W.A.S.P.,
Cinderella
"Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
and others. W.A.S.P.'s frontman
Blackie Lawless
Steven Edward Duren (born September 4, 1956), better known by his stage name Blackie Lawless, is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist (formerly bassist) for heavy metal band W.A.S.P.B ...
stated that "Ken Hensley wrote the rule book for heavy metal keyboards as far as I'm concerned." Hensley also owned "The Attic" Recording studio in St. Louis.
In 1994, ''From Time To Time'', a collection of lost recordings, was released featuring rare songs recorded by Hensley between 1971 and 1982, as well as some early versions of Heep's classic songs, played by Hensley and his roommates at that time, namely guitarist
Paul Kossoff
Paul Francis Kossoff (14 September 1950 – 19 March 1976) was an English guitarist, mainly known as the co-founder and guitarist for the rock band Free. He was ranked number 51 in ''Rolling Stone''s list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All ...
and drummer
Simon Kirke
Simon Frederick St George Kirke (born 28 July 1949) is an English rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company. He has been the only continuous member of Bad Company since their inception.
Life and career
Kirke was born in L ...
(both of
Free). Other musicians on the songs were bassist
Boz Burrell
Raymond "Boz" Burrell (1 August 1946 – 21 September 2006) was an English musician. Originally a vocalist and guitarist, Burrell is best known for his singing with King Crimson (1971–1972) and bass playing in Bad Company (1973–1982, 1998 ...
(
King Crimson
King Crimson are a progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London, England. The band draws inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, industrial, electronic, experime ...
and
Bad Company
Bad Company are an English rock supergroup that was formed in 1973 by singer Paul Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke and bassist Boz Burrell. Bad Company ''AllMusic'' Peter Grant, who managed the rock band Led Zeppelin, a ...
), guitarist
Mick Ralphs (
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were an English rock band formed in Herefordshire. Originally known as the Doc Thomas Group, the group changed their name after signing with Island Records in 1969. The band released albums throughout the early 1970s but fail ...
,
Bad Company
Bad Company are an English rock supergroup that was formed in 1973 by singer Paul Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke and bassist Boz Burrell. Bad Company ''AllMusic'' Peter Grant, who managed the rock band Led Zeppelin, a ...
), drummers
Ian Paice
Ian Anderson Paice (born 29 June 1948) is an English musician, best known as the drummer and last remaining original member of the rock band Deep Purple.
He is often cited as one of the greatest drummers of all-time. He remains the only membe ...
(
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock music, but their musical style has changed over the course of its existence. Ori ...
,
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entit ...
) and
Kenney Jones
Kenneth Thomas "Kenney" Jones (born 16 September 1948) is an English drummer best known for his work in the groups Small Faces, Faces, and the Who. Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Small Faces/Faces ...
(
The Small Faces
Small Faces were an English rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboardist in 1966. The ...
,
The Faces
Faces are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of Small Faces after lead singer and guitarist Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie. The remaining Small Faces—Ian McLagan (keyboards), Ronnie Lane (electric bass, vocals), and Kenne ...
,
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
), amongst others.
In 1999, Hensley's musical activities began to increase, besides his work with St Louis Music. He recorded an album, ''A Glimpse of Glory'', together with his band Visible Faith.
During the fourth Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called "Hensley/Lawton Band". Hensley was joined by former Uriah Heep singer
John Lawton, their first public collaboration since the latter's departure from Uriah Heep in 1979. With them were
Paul Newton (the band's original bassist) and two members of Lawton's band, Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a set of old Uriah Heep classics and some of Hensley's solo songs, and the concert was recorded for a CD release, followed by an extensive tour of Europe during Spring and Summer of 2001 culminating with a concert on 12 May in
Hamburg
(male), (female) en, Hamburger(s),
Hamburgian(s)
, timezone1 = Central (CET)
, utc_offset1 = +1
, timezone1_DST = Central (CEST)
, utc_offset1_DST = +2
, postal ...
,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic song "Salisbury". After the tour, both Ken and John returned to their respective solo careers.
On 7 December 2001, both John Lawton and Ken Hensley appeared on stage with Uriah Heep during the annual Magician's Birthday Party at the
Shepherd's Bush Empire
Shepherd's Bush Empire (currently known as O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the BBC Television Theatre) is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, West London, run by the Academy Music Group. It was originally ...
in
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
. This concert was recorded and released as a CD/DVD.
''Running Blind'', his first effort in 21 years, was released worldwide in 2002 and followed by a world tour with his band called "Free Spirit", that included
Dave Kilminster
David Kilminster (born 25 January 1962) is a British guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and music teacher, who has toured as a sideman to several prestigious musicians, including progressive rock artists Steven Wilson and Roger Waters.
...
(guitar),
Andy Pyle (bass) and
Pete Riley (drums).
After moving to Spain, Hensley released ''The Last Dance'' (with new songs), ''The Wizard's Diary'' (Uriah Heep classics re-recorded in 2004) and ''Cold Autumn Sunday'' (Hensley's solo songs re-recorded in 2005).
Featuring a number of special guests, the rock opera ''Blood on the Highway'' was released in May 2007. The story portrays the rise and fall of a rock'n'roll star. Lead vocals role were split between Hensley and
Glenn Hughes (ex-
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock music, but their musical style has changed over the course of its existence. Ori ...
,
Trapeze
A trapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes or metal straps from a ceiling support. It is an aerial apparatus commonly found in circus performances. Trapeze acts may be static, spinning (rigged from a single point), swinging or flying, an ...
,
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...
),
Jørn Lande
Jørn Marumsrud Lande (born May 31, 1968) is a Norwegian hard rock and heavy metal singer and songwriter. He is known for his work with the bands Ark, Beyond Twilight, Millenium, Vagabond, The Snakes, and most notably with power metal band Ma ...
(ex-
The Snakes
The Snakes were a British-Norwegian hard rock band, formed by former Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody in 1997. The line-up consisted of guitarists Marsden and Moody with Norwegian musicians, vocalist Jørn Lande, bassist Sid ...
,
Masterplan),
John Lawton and
Eve Gallagher.
In September 2008, Hensley went on stage again with former Heep bandmates Lawton, Kerslake and Newton along with ex-
Focus
Focus, or its plural form foci may refer to:
Arts
* Focus or Focus Festival, former name of the Adelaide Fringe arts festival in South Australia Film
*''Focus'', a 1962 TV film starring James Whitmore
* ''Focus'' (2001 film), a 2001 film based ...
guitarist
Jan Dumée, for the "Heepvention 2008" fans meeting.
Hensley continued to write and record a series of new albums, beginning with a collection of songs under the title of ''Love & Other Mysteries'', recorded near his home in Spain and followed in 2011 by ''Faster'', his first studio recording of new songs with his live band, Live Fire. A CD of one of his solo concerts was released by Cherry Red Records in 2013, shortly followed by a live CD recorded with Live Fire during a September/October tour. ''Trouble'', an album of 10 new songs recorded with a revised Live Fire line-up was released, again by Cherry Red, in September the same year.
In later years, Hensley and his wife Monica lived in the village of
Agost
Agost () is a Valencian town and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain, at a distance of about from Alicante, the capital of the province. Due to its relative distance from the Mediterranean Sea, Agost was not directly affected ...
near
Alicante
Alicante ( ca-valencia, Alacant) is a city and municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is the capital of the province of Alicante and a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city was 337,482 , the second-largest in t ...
in Spain.
Hensley died on 4 November 2020, at the age of 75 following a short illness. He had finished an album titled ''My Book of Answers'' before his death, that was released on 5 March 2021.
Bands and guest appearances
![Ken Hensley&Sunrize - ROCK ON THE ROCKS TOUR 2011 - Sofia - 27](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Ken_Hensley%26Sunrize_-_ROCK_ON_THE_ROCKS_TOUR_2011_-_Sofia_-_27.jpg)
*
The Gods (1965–1969) – lead vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar
* Head Machine (1969) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars (This was a one-album project put together by a producer)
*
Toe Fat
Toe Fat were an English rock band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep and a future member of Jethro Tull.
Career
Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Ben ...
(1969) – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
*
Uriah Heep (1970–1980) – keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals, acoustic and slide guitar, primary songwriter
* Weed (1971) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars (A one-album side project for Hensley. The other musicians playing on the album are thought to have been from a German band called Virus)
* Shotgun (1981) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
* Ken Hensley Band (1981) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
*
Blackfoot
The Blackfoot Confederacy, ''Niitsitapi'' or ''Siksikaitsitapi'' (ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ, meaning "the people" or " Blackfoot-speaking real people"), is a historic collective name for linguistically related groups that make up the Blackfoot or Bla ...
(1982–1985) – keyboards, backing vocals, slide guitar
*
W.A.S.P. (''
The Headless Children
''The Headless Children'' is the fourth studio album by heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released in April 1989 through Capitol Records. '', 1989) – keyboards
*
Cinderella
"Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
(''
Heartbreak Station
''Heartbreak Station'' is the third studio album by American rock music, rock band Cinderella (band), Cinderella, released in 1990 through Mercury Records. It reached No.19 in the Billboard 200 US chart on December 21, 1990, and went platinum fo ...
'', 1990) – Hammond organ
* Ken Hensley & Visible Faith (1999) – lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
*
Bruce Cameron (''
Midnight Daydream
''Midnight Daydream'' is the only studio album by Bruce Cameron, released in 1999.
Track listing
#"Midnight Daydream" – 6:42
#"Doctor Please" – 4:52
#"Mind Gardens" – 5:24
#"Miles Away" – 3:29
#"Born to Lose" – 5:32
#"I Want to Be Lat ...
'', 1999) – keyboards
* Hensley/
Lawton Band (2000–2001) – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals
* Ken Hensley/
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. Known for his dexterous bass playing and booming baritone voice, Wetton first gained fame in the early 1970s.
Wetton was the singer and p ...
(2001) – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals
* Ken Hensley & Free Spirit (2002) – keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
*
Ayreon
Ayreon is a musical project by Dutch songwriter, singer, musician and record producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon's music is described as progressive rock, progressive metal and power metal sometimes combined with genres such as folk, electro ...
(2004) – Hammond solo on ''
Loser'' from the album ''
The Human Equation
''The Human Equation'' is the sixth album from the progressive rock project Ayreon by Dutch musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released on 25 May 2004 via Inside Out Music. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several mu ...
''
* Ken Hensley & The Viking All-Stars Band (2005) – keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
* Ken Hensley & Live Fire (2006–2020) – keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
* Maks and the Minors (2007) producer and guest Hammond keyboards on three tracks
*
Therion (2007) – Hammond solo on ''Trul'' from the album ''
Gothic Kabbalah
''Gothic Kabbalah'' is the thirteenth full-length album by Swedish symphonic metal group Therion. It was released in Europe on 12 January 2007. The album was mixed by Stefan Glaumann, who also contributed to bands such as Rammstein, Evergrey, Eur ...
''
*
B.T.R. (2008) – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals (The Bulgarian hard rock band played with Hensley on a few occasions most of which also included John Lawton)
* Toni Rowland (''Unfolding'', 2010) – keyboards, guitars, producer
* Sunrize (2011) – Touring together with the Bulgarian rock band Sunrize during their ''Rock on the Rocks tour 2011''.
* Vanexa (2016) - Hammond on 'The traveler' from the album 'Too heavy to fly'
* Blind Golem (2021) - Slide guitar and keyboards on ‘The Day Is Gone’ from the album ‘A Dream Of Fantasy’
Discography
Solo albums
*''Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf'' (1973) - AUS #57
*''Eager to Please'' (1975)
*''Free Spirit'' (1980)
*''The Best of Ken Hensley'' (compilation, 1990)
*''From Time to Time'' (1994)
*''A Glimpse of Glory'' (1999)
*''Ken Hensley Anthology'' (compilation, 2000)
*''Running Blind'' (2002)
*''The Last Dance'' (2003)
*''The Wizard's Diary Vol. 1'' (compilation, CD/DVD, 2004)
*''Cold Autumn Sunday'' (2005)
*''Elements – Anthology 1968 To 2005'' (compilation, 2006)
*''Inside the Mystery'' (compilation, 2006)
*''Blood on the Highway'' (2007)
*''Live Fire'' (DVD, 2007)
*''Blood on the Highway – Release Concert'' (live DVD, 2008)
*''Love & Other Mysteries'' (2012)
*''Live Tales'' (live, 2013)
*''Rare & Timeless'' (compilation, 2018)
*''My Book of Answers'' (2021)
With Uriah Heep
*''
...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble'' (1970)
*''
Salisbury
Salisbury ( ) is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England with a population of 41,820, at the confluence of the rivers Avon, Nadder and Bourne. The city is approximately from Southampton and from Bath.
Salisbury is in the southeast of Wil ...
'' (1971)
*''
Look at Yourself'' (1971)
*''
Demons and Wizards'' (1972)
*''
The Magician's Birthday'' (1972)
*''
Uriah Heep Live
''Uriah Heep Live'' is a double live album by British rock group Uriah Heep (band), Uriah Heep, released in April 1973 in the US by Mercury Records, and in May 1973 in the UK by Bronze Records. It was the band's first live album. The album was ...
'' (live, 1973)
*''
Sweet Freedom'' (1973)
*''
Wonderworld'' (1974)
*''
Return to Fantasy
''Return to Fantasy'' is the eighth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released on 13 June 1975 in the United Kingdom by Bronze Records. It was the first of the two albums to feature John Wetton as the new bass player, who replaced G ...
'' (1975)
*''
The Best of Uriah Heep'' (compilation, 1975)
*''
High and Mighty'' (1976)
*''
Firefly
The Lampyridae are a family of elateroid beetles with more than 2,000 described species, many of which are light-emitting. They are soft-bodied beetles commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glowworms for their conspicuous production ...
'' (1977)
*''
Innocent Victim
''Innocent Victim'' is the 11th studio album by British hard rock band Uriah Heep, released in November 1977 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US.
Although it did not chart in the US or UK, ''Innocent Victim'' went on ...
'' (1977)
*''
Fallen Angel
In the Abrahamic religions, fallen angels are angels who were expelled from heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" never appears in any Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven"Mehdi Azaiez, Gabriel Said R ...
'' (1978)
*''
Conquest
Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms.
Military history provides many examples of conquest: the Roman conquest of Britain, the Mauryan conquest of Afghanistan and of vast areas of the Indian subcontinent, t ...
'' (1980)
*''
Live at Shepperton '74'' (live, 1986)
*''Live in Europe 1979'' (live, 1986)
*''Still 'Eavy Still Proud'' (compilation, 1990)
*''Rarities From The Bronze Age'' (compilation, 1991)
*''
The Lansdowne Tapes
''The Lansdowne Tapes'' is a compilation album by the British rock band Uriah Heep and released in 1993. The recordings featured on the album date from the time before the change of name to Uriah Heep and during the early sessions that culminat ...
'' (1993)
*''A Time of Revelation'' (1996)
*''Live in San Diego 1974'' (live, 1997)
*The Magician's Birthday Party (live, recorded 2001, released 2002)
*''Chapter & Verse – The Uriah Heep Story'' (compilation, 2005)
With The Gods
* Genesis (1968)
* To Samuel A Son (1969)
* The Gods Featuring Ken Hensley (1976)
With Head Machine
* Orgasm (1969)
With
Toe Fat
Toe Fat were an English rock band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep and a future member of Jethro Tull.
Career
Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Ben ...
* Toe Fat (1970)
With Weed
* Weed...! (1971)
With Blackfoot
*
Siogo
''Siogo'' is the sixth album by the American Southern rock band Blackfoot, released in 1983. It is the first of two albums featuring former Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley.
Although the band told their record company that "Siogo" was an In ...
(1983)
*
Vertical Smiles
''Vertical Smiles'' is the seventh studio album by Southern rock band Blackfoot.
It is the second and last album to feature former Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley and the first without guitarist Charlie Hargrett who left during the recordi ...
(1984)
* KBFH Presents Blackfoot Live 1983 (live, 1998)
With John Lawton
* The Return (live, 2001)
* Salisbury Live (live, 2001)
With John Wetton
* More Than Conquerors (live, 2002)
* One Way Or Another (live, 2002)
With Ken Hensley & Live Fire
* Faster (2011)
* Live Fire LIVE (live, 2013)
* Trouble (2013)
* Live in Russia (live, 2019)
Books
*''Uriah Heep – 10 Jahre Rockmusik'', Markus Ott and Ken Hensley (1980)
*''When Too Many Dreams Come True – The Ken Hensley Story'' (2006)
*''Easy Livin' Ken Hensleyn vuodet 1970-1980'', Mika Järvinen (2013)
References
External links
Ken Hensley official websiteOfficial website for pre-1986 Uriah Heep Uriah Heep official websiteUriah Heep FranceOfficial US Uriah Heep fan website "England's Own Uriah Heep" fan website*
Toni Rowland Official Website*
Entry at 45cat.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hensley, Ken
1945 births
2020 deaths
English rock singers
English heavy metal singers
English rock keyboardists
English heavy metal keyboardists
English rock guitarists
English heavy metal guitarists
English male singers
English songwriters
Slide guitarists
Uriah Heep (band) members
English Christians
English expatriates in Spain
English expatriates in the United States
Blackfoot (band) members
The Gods (band) members
English male guitarists
Toe Fat members
Musicians from London
20th-century English musicians
21st-century English musicians
Sanctuary Records artists
Bronze Records artists