Bob Markley
| Bob Markley | |
|---|---|
1967 publicity photo
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert H. Markley |
| Born |
August 29, 1935 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Died | September 9, 2003 (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, bongos, tambourine |
| Years active | 1960–1970 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band |
Robert H. "Bob" Markley (August 29, 1935 – September 9, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who co-founded the psychedelic rock band, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, in the late 1960s. Markley, the adopted son of an oil tycoon, was first a law graduate, and then a local television persona for the Oklahoma programming, Oklahoma Bandstand in 1958. By 1960, he started a decade-long music career, and became one of the most controversial figures that emerged from the era.
In 1960, Markley moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career, having already performed in several college bands. He was signed by Warner Bros. Records to release his first single, "Will We Meet Again", paired with "Tia Juana Ball", which was distributed in late 1960. Markley would perform vocals, and utilize the bongos as his standard equipment. By late 1961, another single emerged under the same label titled, "Summers Comin' On", backed by "It Should Have Been Me". All of the songs were either written or co-written by Markley, with composer Baker Knight, who later wrote "Shifting Sands" for The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band on their second album, Part One, in 1967. Markley's solo career, however, stalled after the singles were met with very little success. These rare compositions, which lounged in obscurity for decades, were re-distributed on the 2011 compilation album, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Companion.
Before the end of 1965, Markley encountered a band, thanks to his friend Kim Fowley, known as Laughing Wind who he met during a performance that included The Yardbirds. The concert was actually located in Markley's mansion in Los Angeles after The Yardbirds could not book any other performance. Multitudes of directors and musicians like Jeff Beck and Jim McGuinn of The Byrds were also present as guests in the sizable gathering. The Laughing Wind was composed of future bandmates Michael Lloyd, Danny Harris, and Shaun Harris. Markley was less concerned about the band's actual performance than he was with the crowd a rock band brought, particularly young women. His obsession with young girls would be a strange part of Markley's personality that would directly affect his later music. Markley proposed the band and he align as a new group. The group reluctantly accepted Markley's offer, as they were persuaded by Markley's wealth, and The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band was formed.
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