Misplaced Pages

The Bobs: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:18, 23 October 2017 editDaverna (talk | contribs)19 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 07:01, 11 December 2024 edit undoAltenmann (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers219,104 editsm →Videography 
(41 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American a cappella group}}
{{Fanpov|date=November 2012}} {{Fanpov|date=November 2012}}
{{about|the a cappella singing group}} {{about|the a cappella singing group}}
Line 8: Line 9:
| origin = ], United States | origin = ], United States
| genre = ], ] | genre = ], ]
| years_active = 1980–present | years_active = 1980–2017
| label = | label =
| associated_acts = | associated_acts =
| website = *
| current_members = Richard Greene<br>Matthew Stull<br>Dan Schumacher<br>Angie Doctor | current_members = Richard Greene<br>Matthew Stull<br>Dan Schumacher<br>Angie Doctor
| past_members = ]<br>Janie Scott<br>Joe Finetti<br>Lori Rivera<br>Maureen Smith<br>Amy Engelhardt | past_members = ]<br>Janie Scott<br>Joe Finetti<br>Lori Rivera<br>Maureen Smith<br>Amy Engelhardt
}} }}


'''The Bobs''' are an ] vocal group founded in ] in the early 1980s. Now based in ], they have been recording, and touring throughout the United States, Canada and Europe ever since. '''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>


==Background== ==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> 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 subjects such as lunar cattle farming, sleepy bus drivers, ]s, laundry, ]-related flooding, ], ], shopping-mall security guards, celebrity ]s, ], post office violence, heart transplants, ], ], ]s, rebellious footwear, ], nicknames for genitalia, and felines intent on ruling the world.
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".


⚫ 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.
⚫ 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.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Another story that the Bobs give is the name was shortened from "The Oral Bobs" in the first months the group performed together.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}


⚫ The Bobs gave their final performance on October 21, 2017, at ] at ]. It was broadcast live at .
⚫ The Bobs supplied inter-gender wrestling champion ] with his iconic entrance theme, entitled ''March & Fanfare''. The song was played at the beginning of the Kaufman's ], '']''.


===Soundtrack contributions===
⚫ 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 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 '']''.
⚫ 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 song "]" was used in the 1993 movie '']''.
In September 2016 the group announced on their website that they will have approximately one more year of performing together before calling it quits.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

⚫ The Bobs gave their final performance on October 21st, 2017 at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. It was broadcast live at ].
===Other appearances===

⚫ The Bobs performed "Psycho Killer" on the revival of '']'' in 1988.


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.


==Discography== ==Discography==
Line 60: Line 64:
* '']'' (2005) * '']'' (2005)
* '']'' (2007) * '']'' (2007)
* "]" (2008)
* '']'' (2013) * '']'' (2013)


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 PBB]'s Lonesome Pine Special'' - ISOBOBS (with the dance group ]) (1990) * ''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 75: Line 78:


==External links== ==External links==
*
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=c53d3a1a-8296-4f31-a86c-bdbe5ffb2f98|name=The Bobs}}
* *
* *
*
*
* radio interview at , "The World Cafe" * radio interview at , "The World Cafe"
* *
* *
*


==References== ==References==
Line 89: Line 91:


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bobs, The}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bobs, The}}
] ]
] ]
]
] ]

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)
This article is about the a cappella singing group. For other uses, see The Bobs (disambiguation).
The Bobs
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
GenresNew wave, a cappella
Years active1980–2017
MembersRichard Greene
Matthew Stull
Dan Schumacher
Angie Doctor
Past membersGunnar 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

Compilations

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

References

  1. Announcement on https://web.archive.org/web/20180324004919/http://bobs.com/, accessed 2018 Mar 24.
  2. The Bobs at "Primarily A Cappella" singers.com. Accessed 2010 January 14.
  3. Mentioned in the Review of "My I'm Large" at Signers.com , accessed 2018 June 14.
  4. 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.
Categories: