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Mr Bass Trombone · Corporal Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 405 Location: Spain

I have just picked up that another member of our family has gone to the great School of Music above, I am sad to report the loss of Les Humphries, I can't imagine that there are many forum members who would have known Les. He was a wonderful pianist, I think when he left he went to Germany and became involved in the music scene over there. My coldolences to his family and friends and all who knew him during his time as a member of the RMB. RIP Les.
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Mr bass trombone

townsergeant · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Well before my time, but I guess there are not that many who haven't heard of the Les Humphries Singers.

http://www.geocities.com/lesshumphries/

From memory, I think Les made his claim to fame in Europe, but not generally the UK?

A bit more info:

The Les Humphries Singers was a musical group formed in Hamburg, Germany by Englishman Les Humphries in the year 1970. The group consisted of a large number of singers of diverse ethnic origin, some of whom such as John Lawton also performed with other groups. Another member was Jürgen Drews who later had a 1976 solo hit in Germany, "Ein Bett im Kornfeld", a cover version of "Let your Love Flow" by the Bellamy Brothers. The Les Humphries Singers at the time brought something from the flair of the hippie movement into the hit world.

In 1976 they represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest with the Ralph Siegel title "Sing Sang Song." Les Humphries performed a mix of popular music and gospel covers and had some success in Europe with this approach. Two of their earliest and best known hits were "Mama Loo" (1973), and "Mexico" (1972) which was based on the 1957 Jimmy Driftwood country hit "The Battle of New Orleans".

Additional members included Liz Mitchell, later front woman with Boney M, and John Lawton, who also sang for the German progressive/hard rock band Lucifer's Friend and would go on to be the frontman for Uriah Heep. The Les Humphries Singers dissolved at the end of the 1970s, after Humphries had left due to tax liabilities to his English homeland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=283joYpKrwY&feature=related

RIP
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Kratos · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Billy, thanks for that insight into an extremely diverse individual. It always amazes me, with regards to some of the career paths people follow, when they leave the RMBS.
My condolences to the family and friends of Les Humphries.
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RAB · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

Couldn't agree more mate...

RIP Les..

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sticky blue · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject:

RIP Les
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lesbryan · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

R.I.P Les !!
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Mr Bass Trombone · Corporal Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 405 Location: Spain

Thanks Billy I knew he went to Germany, and I have since discovered that he did the Song contest, your info is great as someone else said it is quite amazing what happens to some when they leave the RMB.
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Mr bass trombone

Nick B · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

It is always sad to hear of a loss from the 'Family' R.I.P Les
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Still driving trains around in circles! (and a bit further now)

bootybandy · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I hate to see the orange quavers on the obituaries thread jump about. It just reminds you of how short our/your time is on this little planet of ours. Enjoy it while you can and have no regrets.............

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