Ken Hensley

Ken Hensley

Kenneth William David Hensley was an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s. He wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs during this period, including the hit singles ‘Lady in Black’ and ‘Easy Livin’

About Ken Hensley in brief

Summary Ken HensleyKenneth William David Hensley was an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s. He wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs during this period, including the hit singles ‘Lady in Black’ and ‘Easy Livin’ He also sang lead vocals on ‘Look at Yourself’, ‘Free Me’, and ‘Stealin’ He played with The Blue Notes, Ken and the Cousins, Kit and the Saracens and The Gods. He later played with Blackfoot, a hard-based rock band in Florida, U.S. He died in St Louis, Missouri, in 1985, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was the father of musician David Byron, who played in the band David Byron and the Blackfoots, until his death in 1985.

He also had a son, David, who is now a professional footballer. He has also been involved in the production of The Beatles’ ‘Thriller’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘All You Need Is Love’ albums, as well as many other projects. He had a long career in the music industry, including stints as a producer, arranger and songwriter. He started playing guitar at the age of 12, learning how to play from a Bert Weedon manual. His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1945. He moved to Plumstead, south-east London, with his parents, three brothers and sister to Stevenage in 1945, and later moved to St. Pancras, London.