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GRECH, Rick

(b 1 Nov. '45, Bordeaux, France) UK bassist/violinist. Family moved to Leicester early '50s; played violin in city's youth symphony orchestra. Joined the Farinas, R&B-based band who evolved into the Roaring Sixties, then Family, after singles for Fontana incl. acclaimed version of Chris Kenner's "I Like It Like That' '65. After LPs Music In A Doll's House and Family Entertainment with Family '68-9 he left on the eve of their USA tour to become the least famous quarter of "supergroup' Blind Faith, with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Stevie Winwood, name of group suggesting a certain self-doubt, justified when they split after one album. With Baker in Air Force for two unsuccessful LPs; then Winwood re-formed Traffic with Jim Capaldi, drums and Chris Wood, sax, who'd left Airforce with him after first LP to cut folky John Barleycorn Must Die '70 as a trio, with Winwood doubling on bass; they enticed Grech to join (with USA drummer Jim Gordon, freeing Capaldi to sing lead); now a touring proposition, the new band was captured on Welcome To The Canteen '71; Grech left after playing on Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys late '71, their move towards funky rock away from his folkish roots displeasing him. He was now an in-demand session player. Joined Crickets, shifting activities to USA; co-prod. Gram Parsons' solo debut GP '73, the connection being Glen D. Hardin, ex-Cricket keyboardist who led session musicians; played on following year's Grievious Angel; also with all-star band for Clapton's comeback Rainbow Concert '73 (live LP issued). The Last Five Years '73 was a collection of Grech's songs by previous groups. Remained in USA, in another supergroup with Mike Bloomfield, Carmine Appice, vocalist Ray Kennedy, Barry Goldberg on keyboards; bailed out with Bloomfield after '76 LP KGB (sold 500,000) to concentrate on "pure country in the Gram Parsons style'; this venture called SDM (Square Dance Machine), but there was no contract forthcoming as punk took hold. A subtly understated player, he racked up credits from Rod Stewart to Viv Stanshall, Muddy Waters to the Bee Gees, always highly regarded by musicians.