Session drummer born Robert Grego in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who played on a string of seminal albums and songs, including Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde and Highway 61 Revisited. His riff at the beginning of “Like a Rolling Stone” is considered to be his most recognizable contribution to the musical fabric of the ’60s.
When producer Tom Wilson decided to tart up Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sounds of Silence “, he chose Bobby as his drummer, and the newly revamped song went to #1. Bobby recorded with a number of other artists and groups, as well, including Eric Andersen, Chubby Checker, Cyrkle, Janis Ian, Tommy James & The Shondells, Keith, Peter, Paul & Mary, and The Yardbirds.
He released one solo album, Let’s Stomp and Wild Weekend, featuring Roy Buchanan on guitar. Their recording of “The Jam” went to #29 in 1962.
In 1971, John Cale & Terry Riley handpicked Bobby to play on their album, Church of Anthrax. He was also one of the original members of the soul outfit, Steve Gibson & The Red Caps.
He died in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May 2014 when he was 78 years old.
Simon & Garfunkel recordings
The Sounds of Silence (Paul Simon )
Here’s his “Potato Peeler” with Roy Buchanan on guitar…
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Gregg
- http://theband.hiof.no/band_members/bobby_gregg.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blonde_on_Blonde
- http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/Bobby+Gregg/a/Bobby+Gregg.htm
- http://sabinal.blogspot.com/2005/06/bobby-gregg-friends-1962.html
- http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/gtindley.htm
- http://www.classicbands.com/whosangthatj.html
- http://www.oldies.com/product-view/05539G.html
- http://www.geosound.org/keith-interview.htm
- http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=jctr-coa
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/264362-Bobby-Gregg?filter_anv=0&type=Credits
- http://cd.ciao.co.uk/Society_s_Child_Janis_Ian__5851029