BIOGRAFIA

BIOGRAFÍA

Art La King o lo que es lo mismo: Robert Wright, comenzó en el mundo de la música a una edad muy temprana. En España todos lerecuerdan por su pertenencia al grupo musical Los Bravos que tantos éxitos cosecharon en los años 60, sustituyendo a Mike cuando este comenzó su carrera en solitario. Pero Robert tiene una carrera musical muy amplia marcada por la creación, la composición y la interpretación de sus propias canciones y ha compuesto también para otros artistas conocidos internacionalmente. Espíritu artístico y creativo cien por cien, este compositor se supera con cada nuevo trabajo.

Sus comienzos.-

Este Inglés de padre irlandés y madre escocesa vino al mundo el 26 de marzo de 1949. De 5 hermanos es el único que se dedica a la música. Dejó su casa y los estudios a los 15 años para vivir de pleno su mayor deseo.

Su primer productor fue ALBERT HAMMOND en la época que este había compuesto la canción "Little Arrows". A continuación fue TOMMY SCOTT, era irlandés y grababa con un grupo llamado THEM el grupo del que venía VAN MORRISON. Con él grabó algunas canciones pero desafortunadamente tanto él como su grupo terminaron en extrañas circunstancias. El tercer productor fue STEVE ROWLAND un gran amigo de Albert Hammond, y precisamente estando con él conoció a JIMMY PAGE . En aquel momento Jimmy Page estaba en el grupo THE YARDBIRDS e iban a cambiar el nombre por LED ZEPPELIN. En los estudios DeLane Lea en el Soho londinense fue dónde Robert Wright grabó primeramente una canción que había compuesto : "Individuality" . Jimmy Page le preguntó si podía participar tocando la guitarra y también trajo con él a un bajista llamado JOHN PAUL JONES. Hubo varios cambios y contó también con la presencia de HERBBIE FLOWERS el bajista que tocaba con LOU RED en la canción "Take a walk on the wild side". Estuvo ANDY BOWN en los teclados que entonces estaba en el grupo THE HERD y ahora con STATUS QUO. Incluso el famoso cantante P.J.PROBIE participó en los coros. El productor MICKY MOST era el productor número uno en Inglaterra en aquel momento y pensó que Individuality podía ser un gran éxito.

Su etapa con Los Bravos.-

Un día de vuelta en la oficina de su productor Steve Rowland, este le presenta a un grupo español que está buscando un cantante, el grupo en cuestión es LOS BRAVOS. Su productor le pide que les cante algunas canciones. Bob piensa que quizá les gusta que él sea compositor y además tiene su canción Individuality lista para salir. Dice : "... Recuerdo haber pensado por qué me querían ya que yo no sonaba en absoluto como su último cantante y además a Mike Kennedy era difícil reemplazarlo .... Desee que eligieran a ANDY ANDERSON al que fueron a visitar después de mí, pero por alguna extraña razón no se quedaron con él. Me contaron sus planes y me hablaron de lo bien que estaban las cosas en España. En realidad los fans en España estaban esperando otro Mike, cosa que yo no era y además yo no deseaba cantar "Black is black" porque era muy difícil mejorar la versión de Mike. Pero por otro lado, yo deseaba componer mis propias canciones y también pertenecer a un grupo auténtico. " . De cualquier manera Los Bravos volvieron a Inglaterra y cogieron a Andy.

Vuelta a Inglaterra 1970.-

Escribe una canción llamada "How it Grows" el promotor TONY HALL que en aquel momento trabajaba con The Beatles, le ofrece grabarla y producirla. También MILLS MUSIC en Nueva York que trabajaban con Elton John y finalmente opta por este último ya que además de ofrecerle mucho dinero puede cumplir su deseo de ir a Nueva York . Le produce RALPH MURPHY que es actualmente el presidente de ASCAP en Nashville y un gran compositor. Tuvo un gran éxito con la canción Weeping Widow para el grupo canadiense APRIL WINE. Vuelve a Inglaterra todavía con el contrato, pero esta vez ya con el suficiente dinero para comprar una casa algo que necesitaba ya que se ha casado y tiene una hija.

Cuando terminó la etapa americana firmó con D.J.M.RECORDS, DICK JAMES MUSIC productor de THE BEATLES. Hizo muchos discos para esta compañía y tomó parte, unas veces cantando y otras tocando, en grabaciones de otros artístas. "No era raro entrar en la oficina y ver a CAT STEVENS afinando su guitarra, a ELTHON JOHN tocando en la habitación de al lado, y The Trogg´s & BeeGee´s parecía que vivían allí. También Los Beatles solían aparecer. Era como un gran "Melting Pot"". Tuvo la suerte de trabajar con JOHN CAMERON el arreglista de muchos éxitos.

"Una vez después de terminar una sesión dejé a los músicos para ir a trabajar con otro artista, al día siguiente cuando regresé me tocaron lo que habían grabado mientras estuve fuera: Era BAKER STREET de JERRY RAFFITY. Pensé porqué me pasaba eso a mí. He aprendido muchas lecciones estando unas veces muy cerca y otras muy lejos de mis sueños."

Trabajó también con PETER FRAMPTON, en los primeros tiempos The Mojos. Rechazando unirme a BAD FINGERS, gran error. Tocando al lado de grupos como THE MOVE, CHRIS FARRLOW, FLEETWOOD MAC, ALEN BOWN, CLIFF BENNET, THE WHO, JETHROW TULL, YES, THE PRITTY THINGS, R.DEAN TAYLOR, TERRY READ, y muchos otros, pero mi grupo favorito era THE ACTION, un grupo Motown de los sesenta y su cantante, Reg King, era mi héroe. Marvin Gaye y muchos otros grupos de los inicios de la Motown ejercieron una gran influencia en mí, ciertamente.

He trabajado en Chicago, Hollywood, Holanda, Dinamarca pero me gustaría mucho más triunfar en España.

¿ Debe de haber algo que hacer con mi pasado ? Robert Wright

Robert Wright relata su trayectoria profesional para los fans:

<<" Solo he compuesto un éxito en 1969 para Los Bravos "Individuality". Estoy seguro que esta historia hubiera sido muy diferente si me hubiera quedado. ¿Quién sabe ?

Vuelvo a Inglaterra y trabajo duro como compositor. Me ofrecen un trabajo con el grupo de los Beatles "Badfinger" pero decido no tomarlo, en esa época todavía no tenían dinero. Me ofrecen un contrato para componer y grabar en Nueva York con Mills Music. El productor de discos Ralph Murphy me produjo y tuvimos algunos pequeños éxitos. El grupo April Wine de Canadá tuvo un éxito con una canción mía llamada "Weeping Widow" que he vuelto a grabar recientemente en mi nuevo álbum.

Otra vez de regreso en Inglaterra firmé con la discográfica DJM, los editores de Los Beatles. Elton John y otros grandes nombres más también pertenecían a la misma compañía. Hice muchos discos malos para ellos, grabando con varios nombres diferentes.

Chicago- Hollywood . La misma vieja historia, siempre retornando a mi pais Inglaterra, "El paraíso terrenal" ! Menuda broma ! Paul Nicholas el actor y antiguo teclista de "Screeming Lord-Such" puso el dinero para grabar y producir mi propio álbum. El grupo llamado The Enid tocó en muchas sesiones e hicimos las mezclas en Abbey Road Studios, fue realmente un álbum muy bueno pero nunca conseguimos lanzarlo debido a cuestiones legales.

En medio de toda esta basura que hay en la vida, decido tomarme un descanso en la Isla de Mallorca, y con quién diréis que me topé allí, sí, con Pablo y Miguel quienes me informaron con gran entusiasmo que estaban relanzando Los Bravos. Yo estuve encantado por ellos y creo que les di ánimos pero no había ninguna razón para quedarme por allí ya que Mike ya estaba presente y había sido su elección como cantante, y con pleno derecho. Todo mi respeto hacia Mike.

Y según sigue esta historia, hace unos días me reuní de nuevo con ellos. Me ha complacido ver que les va bien y ahora me han invitado a participar en la parte de composición y producción.

Acabo de terminar mi nuevo álbum que se llama "I get out of my face" que significa que estoy muy, muy borracho. En los últimos 20 años he estado grabando con el nombre de Art La King. Yo lo he compuesto, he tocado todos los instrumentos y lo he producido. Tiene fuerza y un buen número de buenas canciones. Actualmente estoy buscando una compañía para sacar “a la bestia”. En cuanto a Los Bravos, a ver si esta vez podemos hacer algo juntos y pasarlo bien.

Recuerdos a todos los fans.">>

Art La King (Abril de 2006)

El productor musical STEVE ROWLAND, que ha trabajado con él, nos cuenta:
"Bob Wright---also known as Art La King, is a great guy and very talented.
It's been a long time since I've seen Bob. We have, however remained in touch through the years. The last time that I saw him in person was about ten years ago. I am now living in the States and out of the music business.
Since it's been such a long time since Bob and I worked together my memory is somewhat dimmed. I do recall, however that in 1973 he and I worked together with my ex-wife, Sally Farmiloe. Bob wrote a song titled, "Shake Sheik, Shake." Bob and I and a couple of girls sang on the record along with Sally doing the spoken part of the song. It was a funky Stax type track that took the piss out of the Arabs who at the time were flooding into London and invading all the clubs looking to pick up girls. The record was released on the DJM label and became a small hit.
Bob is extremely enthusiastic in whatever he undertakes. Perhaps he should consider re-recording "Individuality."
Steve Rowland

English

"I only wrote one hit song in 1969 for Los Bravos "Individuality". I´m sure this story would have read different if I’d stayed? Anyway.

I returned to England and worked hard on my song writing . I was offered a job with the Beatles group "Badfinger" but I decided to pass, at that time they had no money. I was offered a writing and recording deal in New York with Mills Music, the record producer Ralph Murphy produced me and we had a few small hits. The group April Wine from Canada gave me a hit with a song called "Weeping Widow". I have recently re-recorded this song and it is on my new album.

Again returning to England I was signed by the record label DJM, the Beatles publishers, Elton John and a few other big names were also on the label. I made many bad records for them, recording under many different names.

The same old story, always returning to my land England, "The land of milk and honey", Big Joke.

Paul Nicholas the actor and old keyboard player for "Screeming Lord-Such" put up the money for me to record and produce my own album. The group called The Enid played on many sessions, and we mixed it at Abbey Road Studios, it was a real cool album but never got released due to some legal reasons.

In between the rest of the rubbish that goes on in life, I decided to take a break on the Island of Mallorca, and who should I bump into? Yes, Pablo and Miguel and they told me with much enthusiasm they were reforming Los Bravos. I was pleased for them and hopefully gave them some encouragement but there was no reason for me to stick around as Mike was on the scene and he was their choice of singer, and rightly so lots of respect for Mike.

And as far as this story goes I met up with them again some days ago. I was pleased to see they are doing well, and they have now invited me to get involved on the writing and production side.

I have just finished my own new album called "I get out of my face" meaning I get very very drunk. For the last 20 years I´ve been recording under the name Art La King. I write, play all instrument and produced it. It has lots of Edge and a wide range of good songs. At this moment in time I´m looking for a Company to release the Bitch.

As far as Bravos goes, lets hope we can kick some ass this time. Regards to all the fans."

MY MOTHER WAS SCOTISH, MY FARTHER IRISH, ONE SISTER, THREE BROTHERS. LEFT SCHOOL AT 15. LEFT HOME AT 15. WINCHESTER IS THE PLACE I LIKE MOST TO LIVE, I HAVE GOOD MEMORY'S.

MY FIRST RECORD PRODUCER, ALBERT HAMMOND. HE PLAYED ME ONE OF THE SONGS HE WROTE, CALLED.LITTLE ARROWS''

I TOLD HIM I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOAD OF CRAP, AND I STILL THINK SO ? HE SAID TO ME, I WISH I COULD WRITE SONGS LIKE YOU.

HIS SONG MADE NUMBER ONE, AND MINE DONE NOTHING? IF YOU LOOK AT HIS WEBSITE, YOU WILL SEE HE BECOME ONE OF THE

MY NEXT PRODUCER, A GUY CALLED. TOMMY SCOTT'' HE WAS IRISH,AND WAS RECORDING A GROUP CALLED, “THEM'' THE GROUP VAN MORRISON COME FROM. HE ALSO LIKED MY SONGS, AND WE RECORDED A FEW, BUT HIM AND ALL HIS CREW WOULD GET VERY DRUNK, AND ALWAY'S WANT TO FIGHT ME, SO THAT ALL ENDED IN A STRANGE WAY? BUT I DID LEARN TO DRINK,.........YES

THIRD PRODUCER, STEVE ROWLAND'' BIG WEBSITE. A CLOSE FRIEND OF ALBERT HAMMOND. I PLAY HIM A SONG ON MY GUITAR IN HIS OFFICE, AND HE LIKED VERY MUCH, HE ASKED ME TO WAIT ONE MOMENT AND DISAPPEARD INTO THE NEXT ROOM? THEN RETURNS WITH ANOTHER GUY, WHO LOOKED REAL COOL, PLAY HIM THE SONG HE SAID, AND SO I DID. YE' YE YE' HE SAID, I LIKE IT, I LIKE IT. WHO IS THIS GUY ANYWAY I ASKE MY SELF? AFTER TREATING HIM LIKE A BIT OF A FOOL. WHAT IS YOUR NAME I ASKED, HE REPLYED'' JIMMY PAGE. DONG'' AFTER SHOWING HIM HOW TO PLAY A GUITAR, HE TELLS ME THIS. HE WAS IN THE YARDBIRDS AT THE TIME, AND HE TELL ME HE WAS CHANGING THE NAME TO LED ZEPPLIN. THAT HISTORY NOW. IN DELANE LEA STUDIO'S LONDON, SOHO. WE RECORDED A SONG OF MINE CALLED. '' INDIVIDUALITY. JIMMY ASKED ME IF HE COULD HAVE A PLAY ON MY GUITAR, I SAID SURE. WHY DID I SELL THAT GUITAR. DONG'' HE BROUGHT A BASS PLAYER ALONG WITH HIM CALLED JOHN PAUL JONES''AGAIN, THE REST IS HISTORY. I DID NOT LIKE THIS GUY, GAVE ME A BAD VIBRATIONS, AND HE PLAYED ALL OVER MY SONG. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE BASS, SO WE GOT A GUY CALLED HERBBIE FLOWERS, THE GUY WHO PLAYED THE BASS RIFF ON LOU READS '' TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE'' AND MANY MORE. I HAD ANDY BOWN'' ON KEYBOARDS, AT THE TIME HE WAS WITH A GROUP CALLED, “THE HERD'' NOW WITH '' STATUSQUO'' ALSO P.J. PROBIE, SINGING BACKING VOCAL'S, A GREAT SINGER BUT NOT ON MY SONG, I HAD TO REDO ALL THE BACKING VOICES MY SELF. HE ALSO WANTED TO RECORD SOME OF MY SONGS, BUT WITH HIM NOTHING SEEM TO COME ABOUT? CRAZZY GUY. ALSO ALBERT HAMMOND PLAYING COWBELL, HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR A SESSION FEE.MONEY''

ANYWAY WE FINNISH THE SONG. INDIVIDUALITY'' I WAS NEVER HAPPY WITH IT, BUT THEY PLAY IT TO THE PRODUCER CALLED MICKY MOST. THE NUBER ONE PRODUCER IN ENGLAND AT THE TIME, HE THOUGHT THE SONG WAS A POSSIBLE HIT, ANYWAY ONE DAY BACK IN MY PRODUCERS OFFICE, STEVE ROWLAND, HE INTRODUCE ME TO A SPANISH GROUP CALLED LOS BRAVOS, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A SINGER, STEVE MY PRODUCER SAID, ROBERT SING THEM SOME SONG'S. SO I DID, I THINK THEY LIKED THE IDEAR THAT I COULD WRITE MY OWN SONGS, AND ALSO HAD THE TRACK INDIVIDUALITY READY FOR RELEASE, I REMEMBER THINKING, WHAT DO THEY WAN'T ME FOR , I SOUNDED NOTHING LIKE THERE LAST SINGER, AND SOMEONE LIKE MIKE KENNEDY IS NOT EASY TO REPLACE. FOR SURE? I TRIED TO GET THEM INTERESTED IN ANOTHER SINGER, A ND THEN WE GO AND SEE ANDY ANDERSON . BUT FOR SOME STRANGE REASON THEY STILL WANTED ME. THEY TOLD ME OF THERE PLANS, AND HOW GOOD THING WERE IN SPAIN, SO OFF I WEN'T DONG'' SPANISH FANS WERE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MIKE, AND MY MUSIC WAS LIVE AND RUFF, I THINK BRAVOS REALISE THIS, AND ALSO I WOULD NOT SING BLACK IS BLACK. I COULD NOT COME CLOSE TO MIKES VERSION BUT ALSO I WANTED TO SING MY OWN SONGS, AND BE APART OF A REAL

GROUP. ANYWAY THEY RETURNED TO ENGLAND, AND GOT ANDY''. IT WAS A SHAME REALY, BECAUSE I HAD THE BEE GEES PRODUCER LINNED UP FOR THE NEXT SONG, AND KIETH MOON. THE WHO'S DRUMMER WAS INTERESTED IN PUTTING BRAVO'S WITH PET TOWNSENDS LABLE ''TRACK RECORDS'' .

I WRITE A SONG CALLED, “HOW IT GROWS''. EVERY RECORD COMPANY I PLAY THIS SONG TO WANTED TO SIGNE ME, I MEET A RECORD PREMOTER CALLED TONY HALL. HE WAS A BIG FISH IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS AND OFFERD ME THE CHANCE TO RECORD MY SONG AND ALSO PRODUCE IT. HE WAS INVOLVED WITH THE BEATLES'' AND ALL THE TOP GROUPS .

I HAD ALSO SENT THIS SONG TO MILLS MUSIC, IN NEW YORK, ELTON JOHN, WAS SIGNED TO THE ENGLISH MILLS MUSIC.

THEY SHOWED MUCH INTEREST IN ME, AND OFFERD ME A RECORDING AND PUBLISHING DEAL, I TOOK THIS ONE AS I WANTED TO GO TO NEW YORK AND THERE WAS MONEY TOO.

RALPH MURPHY, PRODUCED ME, AND ALSO RECORDED SOME OF MY SONG HIMSELF, HE IS NOW THE PRESiDENT OF ASCAP IN NASHVILLE AND LIKE ALBERT HAMMON, A BIG NAME IN SONG WRITTING. HE GOT ME A HIT RECORD WITH A SONG I WROTE CALLED, WEEPING WIDOW WITH A GROUP FROM CANADA. APRIL WINE.

AGAIN I RETURN TO ENGLAND STILL UNDER CONTRACT, BUT THIS TIME WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A HOUSE, IT WAS GOOD BECAUSE I HAD A WIFE AND A LITTLE GIRL, AND WE LIVED IN BOURNEMOUTH.

AFTER THE AMERICAN THING FINNISHED, I SIGNED TO D.J.M.RECORDS. DICK JAMES MUSIC. THE BEATLES

PUBLISHER. I MAKE MANY BAD RECORDS WITH THIS COMPANY, BUT MADE GOOD MONEY THROUGH GETTING INVOLVED WITH SESSION SINGING., AND HELPING OUT ON OTHER ARTISTS RECORDS.

IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO COME INTO THE OFFICE AND SEE CAT STEVENS STRUMMING HIS GUITAR IN ONE ROOM, AND ELTON JOHN PLAYING IN THE NEXT ROOM, AND THE TROGG'S & BEEGEE'S. SEEM TO LIVE THERE ALSO THE BEATLES WOULD POP IN NOW AND THEN, IT WAS LIKE A BIG MELTING POT. I HAD THE LUCK TO WORK WITH JOHN CAMERON THE MUSIC ARRANGER FOR SO MANY HITS, BUT WHEN WORKING WITH ME, HE ALWAYS GOT DRUNK, I DONT KNOW WHY I HAVE THIS EFFECT ON PEOPLE AFTER ONE SESSION I DONE, I LEAVE THE MUSICIANS TO WORK WITH ANOTHER ARTIST, NEXT DAY THEY PLAY ME THE SONG THEY RECORDED, IT WAS BAKER STREET, BY JERRY RAFFITY, I THOUGHT WHY IS,ENT THIS HAPPENING TO ME, IVE LEARNED MANY LESSONS OF BEING SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR FROM MY DREAMS IVE WORKED WITH PET FRAMTON. IN THE EARLY DAYS,THE MOJO'S. TURNED DOWN AN OFFER TO JOIN BAD FINGER

BIG MISTAKE, PLAYED ALONG SIDE OF GROUPS LIKE, THE MOVE, CHRIS FARRLOW, FLEETWOOD MAC, ALEN BOWN, CLIFF BENNET, THE WHO, JETHROW TULL, YES, THE PRITTY THINGS, R.DEAN TAYLOR, TERRY READ, AND MANY OTHERS, BUT MY ALL TIME FAVOUITE GROUP WAS THE ACTION, A 60s MOTOWN GROUP,AND THE SINGER, REG KING WAS MY HERO. MARVIN GAY AND A LOT OF EARLY MOTOWN MUSIC

HAD A BIG INFLUENCE ON ME, FOR SURE. IVE TRIED CHICAGO, HOLLY WOOD, HOLLAND, DENMARK , BUT I WOULD

SO MUCH LIKE TO CRACK SPAIN. IT MUST HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY PASSED?" Robert Wright