BOB PEARCE - KING OF THE BLUES

If you have read my own biography page as well as my memories of the Southampton pop group scene of the early Sixties on Call Up the Groups then you might wish to learn about Bob Pearce. He is good pal of mine whose own career was influenced by the R&B boom around 63/64 which was heavily influenced by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and other similar British bands that were playing electric blues. The Beatles had also been playing obscure American R&B covers for some years mixed with their usual output but the 'new wave' of blues influenced bands introduced us to the gritty earthy US artistes such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howling Wolf and many more.

Around the time of my own first group - the Abdo-Men, I also got to know of Bob Pearce and his own first band called The Footprints formed around 1964 and the 'Southern Roots' (SR) information shows this lineup:

I have been pals with Bob since those days and he has recently sent me some info plus some old photos including this rare faded photograph below!

This picture was taken at the Carousel Club, a well known venue near Bevois Valley Southampton and Bob gives this lineup as indicated on the photo. Prior to Terry Gilmore, the drumseat was vacated by Colin Herriot and Mick Pink according to Bob and the SR notes.

The Footprints were a terrific driving R&B sound and Bob Pearce being the perfect frontman with terrific blues harmonica skills - it was just something that we both picked up and were able to bend notes plus knocking out extended solos mixed in with the usual ad-lib improvised guitar breaks. Bob left the Footprints when being 'poached' by another well known band Quik, a splinter band of the top local MeddyEvils as documented on my other group pages. Bob rehearsed with this new band at the old Waterfront Club at the Cliff Hotel Woolston near the river Itchen and old 'floating bridges' that clanked their way across the water to Southampton centre etc. After a week, Bob wasn't too happy with the change of direction and returned to the Footprints where he was more at home with the blues based sound. SR lists one record made, but not released: - 'Pretty Thing/It Ain't Necessarily So' a driving Bo Diddley track coupled with the old standard showtune that many bands did at that time (along with Summertime etc) Bob may have regretted this, as shortly after- the Quik went on to tour Europe and release some very worthy singles although they didn't crack the record charts.

After more Footprints times, Bob moved across to manage a new band who were formed out of the old YoYos and called Brother Bung (a type of sweet pickle!) and featuring this lineup in SR:

During 1967/1968, the music scene was gradually changing from R&B into more 'progressive' sounds and Brother Bung, like many others, were being influenced by the new wave of 'supergroups' like Cream and Traffic etc. Bob groomed this new band into a three piece after sacking Mike Barfoot, but then taking over as new lead vocalist as requested by the other lads. However, there was some eventual friction as Bob was then treated as 'one of the lads' by the other musicians and his authority as manager became sidelined.

'Mister You're a Better Man Than I/She Belongs To Me' in 1968. This was a cover of a Yardbirds single, coupled with the Bob Dylan song (?)

Things came to a head, when the lads refused to listen to any advice from Bob and so the friction built up, as well as musical differences before resulting in him leaving the band. Shortly after, history was repeated when Brother Bung transformed into Fresh - a new band that had some degree of success on the university circuits. Fresh also released two acclaimed LPS on the RCA label in 1970/71 before breaking up and seeing the musicians going onto join other local bands over the next few years. It was great to have met up with Roger on last year's Brownhills Stamp Duty reunion bash and he is still drumming up a storm after all these years!

Bob's first love was and still is blues-based and his main musical output has not wavered over the last forty years and you may wish to take a look at this other fan website to learn more about his musical success over the years. He has appeared with many of the top R&B stars and in several countries so take a look at this link to find out more about this very talented musician whom I am proud to call a friend and musical colleague.

Just click on this record label below, which will give you a basic outline of what Bob has been up to in recent years as one of the most respected musicians in the business. His dedication to the blues is well known and documented - just do some internet searching and you will find quite a few references to Southampton's own King of the Blues!

By the way- doesn't he look like a young Anthony Quinn!! Also, they do say that 'behind every great man is a woman' In Bob's case, he has had the love and support of his lovely wife Brenda over the decades - it's not easy putting up with the likes of us entertainers and musicians as we are not like other people (civilians) Apart from his amazing harmonica skills, blues tinged voice he also plays superb open tuning guitar plus bottleneck slide technique as well although he has tended to wind down his appearances of late.

I will add more info and pictures in due course - Bob has promised to raid his loft and dig out some old stuff like many other musicians over the last few years of my website!

Bob Stone (bass) Bob Pearce (voc/harm) Paul Beard (leadgtr) Denny Witt (rhytgtr)

Sent by Bob Pearce:

Here's a pic of The Footprints taken on Saturday 26th April 2008 (minus drummer) - the occasion was the 60th birthday of rhythm guitarist/sax player Denny Witt. A good time was had by all and not one of us played a note all night!!! (probably WHY a good time was had by all) The sax playing came later - possibly when I left and they changed their
name to Combustion (one of the first soul bands in Southampton as far as I know!)

If you are in Southampton on Saturday 20th September 2008 then why not catch Bob's fantastic Gospel and Blues night at St Denys Church, one of the most beautiful old churches in the city. Funds are being raised towards the upkeep of this magnificent building

Here is the flyer and tickets @ only £5 are selling fast via the Southampton Guildhall telephone 023 80 632601 or at the St Denys Church Office on

Bob would be really happy to see any old pals in the audience so please spread the word! See below for the press release

On Saturday, September 20th 2008, one of Southampton’s hidden architectural gems - St Denys Church - hosts a unique evening's entertainment with one of the city’s best loved ‘hidden’ musicians and blues legend, the irrepressible Bob Pearce and his band.

During his three year ‘retirement’ from the business shortly after the 1998 release of “Why Am I Hollerin”, and with his reputation as king of the Home Cooked Blues intact, Bob Pearce reflected on his faith and his career in music. Inspired by his love for Jesus, and with the loyal support of Blues Etc, Bob returned to the studio to record 2005’s “Unchained" - his first album as a Christian artist. In 2007, Bob and his friends recorded a second album of gospel songs “Making My Way Back Home” (FPCD011) and resumed a selected programme of dates around the Solent.

During 2008, St Denys Church celebrates 140 years of service to the community. With one of the largest unaltered internal spaces in the city, this magnificent Victorian building hosts medieval artefacts, one of the largest pipe organs in Hampshire dating back to 1750, and an architectural heritage to match - it was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, creator of such landmarks as St Pancras Station in London and the Martyr's Memorial in Oxford.

God’s plan for the building at St Denys saw it rescued from nine years of closure in 2006, opened once again for services and occasional performance events. The church’s superb acoustics and vast interior make it ideal for all kinds of live music, worship and drama.

Martin Smith, churchwarden, says: “We are really honoured that a local musician with such an international pedigree as Bob Pearce should accept our invitation to witness his new faith and present his testimony in music at our church. His story and journey to Christ reflects our own recent history, and it is fitting that these two Southampton icons should at last come together. With His grace, Bob’s showcase concert will demonstrate to a mixed audience the versatility and awe-inspiring potential of this beautiful building.”

Available from Southampton Guildhall Box Office on 023 8063 2601 (booking fees apply), or in person from St Denys Church, Dundee Road.