Robb Huxley

Robert William Huxley, known as Robb Huxley (born December 4, 1945) is a vocalist, guitarist and musician.

Huxley was born in Gloucester, England and educated at Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School. After leaving school in 1962, he joined a local band, the Vendettas, as vocalist in 1963.

After the Vendettas, Huxley moved on to join the Whirlwinds as lead singer under the name "Robb Gayle".

After a recording audition with Joe Meek, the Whirlwinds changed their name to the Saxons and dyed their hair blond. While still semi-pro they released a single through Joe Meek in 1965; It was an instrumental written by Pete Holder and Robb Huxley titled "Saxon Warcry".

In December 1965, Joe Meek summoned the Saxons to London to work professionally as his house band, renamed The Tornados. They were also known as the New Tornados. During their short association with Joe Meek, they put out two singles. “Pop-Art Goes Mozart” / “Too Much in Love to Hear” and “Is that a Ship I Hear” / “Do You Come Here Often”. Both singles were released in 1966. Nowadays “Do you Come Here Often” is recognized as being the first ever openly “Gay” song to be released on record.

Almost a year after Joe Meek’s death in a shooting incident at his Holloway Road studio, with only Robb Huxley and Dave Watts remaining from the original line up, the Tornados left for a tour of Israel.

Early in February 1968 in Tel-Aviv the Tornados disbanded, which ended to Joe Meek’s succession of Tornados.

Huxley remained in Israel and played with a three piece group called Purple Ass Baboon for a short time. The group was probably the first ever “punk” style band to play in Israel.

Huxley met up with Stan Solomon, Canadian singer with the Israeli band the Churchills and was invited to join the band when two members were subscripted into the Israeli army.

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Wikipedia