Robert Holmes (musician)
Robert Holmes is an England-born[1] guitarist, best known for his work as guitarist/vocalist/writer in the American new wave band 'Til Tuesday,[2] the former band of Aimee Mann. He first moved to America with his family at the age of 7.[1]
From 'til Tuesday to Ultra Blue
In 1988 he formed a bluesy rock quartet called Ultra Blue with his wife Glenda who sang backups for Robert and occasionally sang lead. Ultra Blue won best new artist at the Boston Music Awards in 1989 and made many recordings. Several sessions were paid for by Epic records but a recording contract never materialized.
In 1993 Ultra Blue was put on the back burner when Robert joined up with Street Magic, an a cappella quintet specializing in Doo Wop. A short article written by Robert Holmes was published on the backside page of the August 1996 Musician magazine called "The Morning After 'Til Tuesday" in which Robert detailed some of the differences between working with ’Til Tuesday and doing general business work on a local level with Street Magic.
In 1996 Robert moved to Vermont and formed a function/cover band called "Love Bomb" for which he was the leader and lead guitarist. According to an interview he gave to the Valley Advocate, the band inherited its name from the Lynsey De Paul song "Love Bomb".[3] The band built up a sizable following in the Southern Vermont/ Western Massachusetts area and played numerous weddings and private parties for the next 13 years.
In 2010, Robert collaborated with Grammy-award-winning producer Bob St. John and former Beat Surender (Sony Records) front man Paul Souza to release Shakin' Not Stirred under Paul's current rock band The Velveteen Playboys, before moving to the UK.
Back to the UK
Robert Holmes is now a freelance guitar player for hire living in the UK.[4]
During late 2011 and spring 2012 Holmes played guitar on the first Wilderspin[5] album 'Something to Crow About', with songs written by Mark Wilderspin and produced/engineered by Paul Bryant.
Late 2012 sees Holmes again working with producer and bass player Paul Bryant, on the Sarana VerLin[6] and Billy Brandt[7] CD 'Going home'.
Both Wilderspin and VerLin Brandt albums recorded in Paul Bryant's Cotswold recording studio in the UK.[8]
2013 Robert played on a session with Hugh Padgham producing at British Grove studios in London. The two tracks recorded were written by Robert and singer songwriter Lydia Baylis and have not been released as of yet.[4] There are also original and cover songs recorded by Robert at home posted on his Soundcloud page.[9]
In 2017 Robert joined The Achievers, a touring original Rhythm and Blues act and winners of the 6th UK Blues challenge in 2019. The band has released two records, "Live at the SVA" in 2018 and "The Lost Arc" in 2019
Personal life
Robert lives in Gloucestershire with his wife, artist and self portraitist Sheridan Jones.
References
- ^ a b ROBERT HOLMES|MUSICIAN|COTSWOLDS Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ E. Brooks (May 1985). 'til tuesday - Voices Carry (Epic). Spin. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ "Valley Advocate: Bands on the Run". tiltuesday.net.
- ^ a b "Robert Holmes guitar player". robertholmesguitar.com.
- ^ "wilderspin.co". wilderspin.co.
- ^ "Sarana VerLin US/UK singer/songwriter...fusing folk, pop, celtic, americana music". saranaverlin.com.
- ^ "Official Billy Brandt Music Website". billybrandt.com.
- ^ "Lightquest / Paul Bryant". lightquest.co.uk.
- ^ "Robert Holmes 6". SoundCloud.