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Rick Roberts (musician)

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Rick Roberts
Roberts in 1970
Roberts in 1970
Background information
Birth nameRichard James Roberts
Born (1949-08-31) August 31, 1949 (age 75)
Clearwater, Florida, U.S.
GenresCountry rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1969–1992, 2010–present
Formerly of
Websiterickrobertsmusic.com

Richard James Roberts (born August 31, 1949) is an American country rock and soft rock singer-songwriter who recorded with many influential artists over several genres. He is best known as a founding member and lead singer of Firefall from 1974 to 1981, as well as his work with The Flying Burrito Brothers on their 1971 self-titled album.[1] He also recorded two solo albums, Windmills in 1972 and She Is a Song in 1973.

Career

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Flying Burrito Brothers (Amsterdam, 1970). From left to right: Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Rick Roberts, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke, Bernie Leadon

In the fall of 1981, Roberts played dates in tandem with fellow former Burrito Brother Chris Hillman.

In 1985, he was a member of "A 20th Anniversary Tribute to The Byrds", a band co-founded by ex-Byrds Gene Clark and Michael Clarke. The group also originally included former members of The Band, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, as well as Blondie Chaplin and John York (who was Chris Hillman's replacement in The Byrds in 1968).[2] The band generated controversy through public confusion in relation to the original Byrds, at times being billed at some venues as "The Byrds".[3]

In 1987, he teamed up with ex-Eagle Randy Meisner in the short lived Roberts-Meisner Band and then rejoined his bandmates in Firefall from 1989 to 1992. But he was sidelined due to health issues for a number of years before eventually returning to the road as a solo act. In 2010 he returned to music and released three 4-song-EPs on iTunes - 'Phases'; 'Same Mirror, Different Images' and 'Full Bloom' (the latter having two different track listings) - and launched his website and in the summer and fall of 2019, he toured together with fellow Firefaller Larry Burnett.[4]

Discography

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Solo albums

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Singles

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  • 1972: "Deliver Me (Mono)" / "Deliver Me (Stereo)" (A&M)

Compilations

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  • 1979: The Best of Rick Roberts (A&M)
  • 2009: Windmills / She Is a Song (BGO) – UK release

As a member of The Flying Burrito Brothers

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As a member of Firefall

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As composer

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1971: Stephen Stills, Chris Hillman, It Doesn't Matter, Manassas, Track 12

Also appears on

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  • 1970: Bob GibsonBob Gibson (Capitol) – vocals
  • 1975: Stephen StillsStills (Columbia) – vocals
  • 1976: Robbin ThompsonRobbin Thompson (Nemperor) – backing vocals
  • 1976: Chris Hillman – Slippin' Away (Asylum) – vocals
  • 1977: Wild Oats – Wild Oats (Clouds) – vocals
  • 1980: Robbin Thompson – (Two "b's" Please) (Ovation) – backing vocals

Bibliography

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  • Roberts, Rick (2014). Song Stories and Other Left-Handed Recollections. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1500622046.
  • Roberts, Rick (2015). Lame Brain: My Journey Back to Real Life. Mount James Publishing. ISBN 978-0996414425.

References

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  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Flying Burrito Brothers Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  2. ^ Sullivan, Mary Lou (May 1985). "The Notorious Byrds Brothers: Backstage at a not-so magical reunion". Fairfield County Advocate.
  3. ^ "Byrds v. Byrds: The 20th Anniversary Tribute To The Byrds 1984 – 1988". ByrdWatcher: A Field Guide to the Byrds of Los Angeles. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Childers, Oakland L. (August 14, 2014). "Seven Years After a Devastating Brain Injury, Legendary Songwriter Rick Roberts is Back". Westword.
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