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| '''The Bobs''' were an ] vocal group founded in ] in the early 1980s. They moved to ] and were active recording and touring throughout the United States, Canada and Europe until their farewell show at the Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, on October 21, 2017.<ref>Announcement on https://web.archive.org/web/20180324004919/http://bobs.com/, accessed 2018 Mar 24.</ref> | '''The Bobs''' were an ] vocal group founded in ], in the early 1980s. They moved to ], and were active recording and touring throughout the United States, Canada and Europe until their farewell show at the Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, on October 21, 2017.<ref>Announcement on https://web.archive.org/web/20180324004919/http://bobs.com/, accessed 2018 Mar 24.</ref> | ||
| == |
==History== | ||
| ===Formation=== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| Founding members ] and Matthew Stull decided to form an a cappella group when they left their jobs as deliverers of ]s in San Francisco.<ref>The Bobs at "Primarily A Cappella" . Accessed 2010 January 14.</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | Members of the group are always credited with "Bob" as their middle name. The name is often described as an acronym for "]", an award given out at ]s.<ref>Mentioned in the Review of "My I'm Large" at Signers.com , accessed 2018 June 14.</ref> Another story that the Bobs give is the name was shortened from "The Oral Roberts" in the first months the group performed together.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} | ||
| ⚫ | Their arrangement of "Helter Skelter" was nominated for a ] in 1984.<ref>1984 Grammy award nomination, Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, Richard Greene, Gunnar Madsen - Helter Skelter (The Bobs) ], , accessed 2010 Jan 13.</ref> | ||
| ===Approach and notable performances=== | |||
| ⚫ | Instead of singing more traditional ] songs, The Bobs started out with original arrangements of their own songs and songs like "]" and "]". Although two of their albums are dominated by songs written by others, the overwhelming majority of their repertoire is original, with songs discussing a diverse array of humorous subjects. | ||
| The Bobs have broken with a cappella tradition several times by including instruments. The majority of the 1995 album ''Plugged'' is backed by toy drums. ''Plugged'' also made heavy use of studio equipment to make the voices sound more like ]s and ]s. ''Coaster'' includes a rock rhythm section on one song. ''Rhapsody in Bob'' features their arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with pianist ] playing most of the original piano concerto as The Bobs become a vocal orchestra. But this original "band without instruments" usually uses just their mouths, hands, feet and "other body parts". | The Bobs have broken with a cappella tradition several times by including instruments. The majority of the 1995 album ''Plugged'' is backed by toy drums. ''Plugged'' also made heavy use of studio equipment to make the voices sound more like ]s and ]s. ''Coaster'' includes a rock rhythm section on one song. ''Rhapsody in Bob'' features their arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with pianist ] playing most of the original piano concerto as The Bobs become a vocal orchestra. But this original "band without instruments" usually uses just their mouths, hands, feet and "other body parts". | ||
| ⚫ | Members of the group are always credited with "Bob" as their middle name. The name is often described as an acronym for "]", an award given out at ]s.<ref>Mentioned in the Review of "My I'm Large" at Signers.com , accessed 2018 June 14.</ref> Another story that the Bobs give is the name was shortened from "The Oral |
||
| ⚫ | The Bobs supplied the opening music for the documentary "I'm from Hollywood" starring inter-gender wrestling champion ], directed by Lynne Margulies and Joe Orr. The song was played at the beginning of the Kaufman ], '']'' | ||
| Several anniversary concerts were held in Berkeley, California in January 2006 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bobs.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} These concerts featured seven of the eight singers who have ever been in the band. | Several anniversary concerts were held in Berkeley, California in January 2006 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bobs.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} These concerts featured seven of the eight singers who have ever been in the band. | ||
| ⚫ | The Bobs gave their final performance on October 21, 2017, at ] at ]. It was broadcast live at . | ||
| ⚫ | A documentary about the group, called ''Sign My Snarling Movie: 25 Years of The Bobs'' was released in summer 2007. | ||
| ===Soundtrack contributions=== | |||
| ⚫ | The Bobs gave their final performance on October 21, 2017, at The Barns at Wolf Trap |
||
| The Bobs performed "Psycho Killer" on the revival of '']'' in 1988. | |||
| ⚫ | The Bobs supplied the opening music for the documentary "I'm from Hollywood" starring inter-gender wrestling champion ], directed by Lynne Margulies and Joe Orr. The song was played at the beginning of the Kaufman ], '']'' | ||
| ⚫ | The Bobs' recording of the Jimmy Cliff/Guilly Bright song "Sittin' In Limbo" was featured in the 1991 movie '']''. | ||
| ===Other appearances=== | |||
| The Bobs |
The Bobs' recording of the song "]" was used in the 1993 movie '']''. | ||
| In the ] movie '']'', the Bobs performed most of the soundtrack, including the background music that occasionally interacted with the story. During the 1995 ] they performed a medley of television themes with Alexander. | In the 1995 ] movie '']'', the Bobs performed most of the soundtrack, including the background music that occasionally interacted with the story. During the 1995 ] they performed a medley of television themes with Alexander. | ||
| In 1996, the Bobs performed several original songs and provided the character voices for the online video game '']''. | In 1996, the Bobs performed several original songs and provided the character voices for the online video game '']''. | ||
| ===Recognition=== | |||
| The Bobs' recording of the song "]" was used in the 1993 movie '']''. | |||
| ⚫ | Their arrangement of "Helter Skelter" was nominated for a ] in 1984.<ref>1984 Grammy award nomination, Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, Richard Greene, Gunnar Madsen - Helter Skelter (The Bobs) ], , accessed 2010 Jan 13.</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | A documentary about the group, called ''Sign My Snarling Movie: 25 Years of The Bobs'' was released in summer 2007. | ||
| ⚫ | The Bobs' recording of the Jimmy Cliff/Guilly Bright song "Sittin' In Limbo" was featured in the 1991 movie '']''. | ||
| ==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
| Line 69: | Line 72: | ||
| ===Videography=== | ===Videography=== | ||
| * ''The Bobs on PBS's Lonesome Pine Special'' (1989) | * ''The Bobs on PBS's Lonesome Pine Special'' (1989) | ||
| * ''The Bobs on |
* ''The Bobs on PBS's Lonesome Pine Special'' - ISOBOBS (with the dance group ]) (1990) | ||
| * ''Live at the 20th Century'' (1998) | * ''Live at the 20th Century'' (1998) | ||
| * ''The Bobs Sing! (And other Love Songs)'' (2000) | * ''The Bobs Sing! (And other Love Songs)'' (2000) | ||
| Line 81: | Line 84: | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 07:01, 11 December 2024
American a cappella group | This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Please clean it up to conform to a higher standard of quality, and to make it neutral in tone. (November 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| The Bobs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Genres | New wave, a cappella |
| Years active | 1980–2017 |
| Members | Richard Greene Matthew Stull Dan Schumacher Angie Doctor |
| Past members | Gunnar Madsen Janie Scott Joe Finetti Lori Rivera Maureen Smith Amy Engelhardt |
The Bobs were an a cappella vocal group founded in San Francisco, California, in the early 1980s. They moved to Seattle, Washington, and were active recording and touring throughout the United States, Canada and Europe until their farewell show at the Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, on October 21, 2017.
History
Formation
Founding members Gunnar Madsen and Matthew Stull decided to form an a cappella group when they left their jobs as deliverers of singing telegrams in San Francisco.
Members of the group are always credited with "Bob" as their middle name. The name is often described as an acronym for "Best of Breed", an award given out at dog shows. Another story that the Bobs give is the name was shortened from "The Oral Roberts" in the first months the group performed together.
Approach and notable performances
Instead of singing more traditional doo-wop songs, The Bobs started out with original arrangements of their own songs and songs like "Helter Skelter" and "Psycho Killer". Although two of their albums are dominated by songs written by others, the overwhelming majority of their repertoire is original, with songs discussing a diverse array of humorous subjects.
The Bobs have broken with a cappella tradition several times by including instruments. The majority of the 1995 album Plugged is backed by toy drums. Plugged also made heavy use of studio equipment to make the voices sound more like guitars and bass guitars. Coaster includes a rock rhythm section on one song. Rhapsody in Bob features their arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with pianist Bob Malone playing most of the original piano concerto as The Bobs become a vocal orchestra. But this original "band without instruments" usually uses just their mouths, hands, feet and "other body parts".
Several anniversary concerts were held in Berkeley, California in January 2006 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bobs. These concerts featured seven of the eight singers who have ever been in the band.
The Bobs gave their final performance on October 21, 2017, at The Barns at Wolf Trap, Virginia. It was broadcast live at Acaville.org.
Soundtrack contributions
The Bobs performed "Psycho Killer" on the revival of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1988. The Bobs supplied the opening music for the documentary "I'm from Hollywood" starring inter-gender wrestling champion Andy Kaufman, directed by Lynne Margulies and Joe Orr. The song was played at the beginning of the Kaufman biopic, Man on the Moon
The Bobs' recording of the Jimmy Cliff/Guilly Bright song "Sittin' In Limbo" was featured in the 1991 movie Cool As Ice.
The Bobs' recording of the song "Barbara Ann" was used in the 1993 movie Surf Ninjas.
In the 1995 Jason Alexander movie For Better or Worse, the Bobs performed most of the soundtrack, including the background music that occasionally interacted with the story. During the 1995 Emmys they performed a medley of television themes with Alexander.
In 1996, the Bobs performed several original songs and provided the character voices for the online video game Castle Infinity.
Recognition
Their arrangement of "Helter Skelter" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1984.
A documentary about the group, called Sign My Snarling Movie: 25 Years of The Bobs was released in summer 2007.
Discography
- The Bobs (1983)
- My, I'm Large (1987)
- Songs for Tomorrow Morning (1988)
- Sing the Songs of... (1991)
- Shut Up and Sing! (1993)
- Cover the Songs of... (1994)
- Plugged (1995)
- Too Many Santas (1996)
- i brow club (1997)
- Coaster (2000)
- 20 Songs From 20 Years: The Best of The Bobs (2003) – includes 12 previously unreleased tracks
- Rhapsody in Bob (2005)
- Get Your Monkey off My Dog (2007)
- Biographies (2013)
Compilations
- The Best of the Bobs (1990)
- Songs at Any Speed (2008)
Videography
- The Bobs on PBS's Lonesome Pine Special (1989)
- The Bobs on PBS's Lonesome Pine Special - ISOBOBS (with the dance group ISO) (1990)
- Live at the 20th Century (1998)
- The Bobs Sing! (And other Love Songs) (2000)
- Sign My Snarling Movie: 25 Years of the Bobs (2007)
External links
- MySpace
- Gunnar Madsen
- Quality A Cappella
- radio interview at NPR.org, "The World Cafe"
- The Bobs on Facebook
- Acaville.org
- Matthew Stull
References
- Announcement on https://web.archive.org/web/20180324004919/http://bobs.com/, accessed 2018 Mar 24.
- The Bobs at "Primarily A Cappella" singers.com. Accessed 2010 January 14.
- Mentioned in the Review of "My I'm Large" at Signers.com , accessed 2018 June 14.
- 1984 Grammy award nomination, Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, Richard Greene, Gunnar Madsen - Helter Skelter (The Bobs) LA Times, "The Envelope" awards database, accessed 2010 Jan 13.
- The Bobs at allmusic.com