Bob Birch

At an early age, Birch was inspired to pursue music by his father Chet, an upright bassist. Birch began his musical journey with the alto saxophone, mirroring the styles of Paul Desmond and Cannonball Adderley. He learned quickly and was soon recognized by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association through his 1st place finishes at music festival competitions. Around 7th grade, Birch tried out the electric bass, from his fascination for the Motown sound, as well as groups like Chicago, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and the overall mesmerizing sound of the Fender bass coming across the radio waves. One day he picked up his junior high band director Art Dries's Mosrite bass during school lunch and something about it felt totally right.

Because he also had a strong passion for the classical side of music, Birch focused his school studies on the bassoon. In high school, Birch played with many bands playing sax, bass, as well as bassoon. As a senior in high school, he won the Louis Armstrong Jazz award. Music was not the only thing Birch excelled in. His all-around academic career allowed him to receive a competitive scholarship from the state of Michigan to enroll in Wayne State University in Detroit and study Pre-Medicine. College began and Birch was playing six nights a week amidst the Detroit club scene while attending classes during the day. His love for music swayed him quickly from the Pre-Medicine major. Birch went on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performance from Wayne State. Soon after, he joined a band with his brother Dan and sister-in-law Martha, becoming one of the top bands on the Detroit circuit. While performing at lounges in local hotels, Birch met many musicians from some of the top touring bands of the time including the Doobie Brothers, George Benson, Chicago, and Barry Manilow. The conversations he had with these artists influenced him to decide to move to Los Angeles and take a stab at the big time music scene.

He arrived in L.A. in 1981, and struggled to make the contacts he needed, but meeting saxophonist Micheal Paulo at the musician's union started things off for Birch. Michael invited Birch to his house to jam, and while there he met Akio Katsuyama, a jazz pianist from Osaka, Japan. Akio needed a bassist for his trio and hired Birch on the spot. The gig was an opportunity and learning experience for Birch. While they played together, Akio turned Birch onto the Watanabe method of jazz, and Birch helped Akio with his English. With his musical drive, Birch continued to look for other avenues of performance. He auditioned for and joined every band he could. His momentum continued to build as he was able to get hired for multiple recording dates. He started to get a small toe in the door of the L.A. music scene while doing every demo he could as well as playing with his long-time friend and established musician, drummer Gregg Bissonette, on a Jazzercise multi-platinum record. Finally, in 1985 he was involved in a record deal with a band named Fortune. Birch's good friend and mentor from Detroit, drummer Jimmy Hunter, recommended him to the band and soon after they signed a record deal with Camel/MCA. Their debut record with producer Kevin Beamish included the single, "Stacey", on which Birch played bass and saxophone. "Stacey" made it on Billboard's Hot 100 singles list for six straight weeks. The record was stalled after three singles and Birch recognized that he needed to continue looking for other opportunities. He remained in the music scene by playing gigs every night and joining as many bands as possible. During this time, he was able to meet and play with L.A.'s finest musicians. A notable band he had joined at that time was with L.A. vocalist Rainey. Birch valued the friendship and camaraderie of every musician he met during this time.

Later in 1985, he met keyboardist, Guy Babylon. They made a great team together while playing with and recording for many artists. In 1988, Guy recommended Bob for Mark Ashton's band. Bob joined the band which included famed drummer Zak Starkey, and after a few showcases for record companies Ashton was signed by RCA. The debut album was recorded at A&Mstudios with the producer Paul Rothchild, who is most known for his brilliant work with The Doors. The album was initially highly acclaimed, but it unfortunately it did not enjoy the needed commercial success. At that time, Guy Babylon was asked to join Elton John's band. Because Guy was involved with the Ashton band, he came to Bob asking what he should do. Bob responded with a convincing "What are you waiting for???", and Guy proceeded to leave Ashton and join Elton. Bob continued his search for more gigs and was incredibly fortunate to be hired by percussionist Bob Conti for a spot in Jose Feliciano's band. Bob was extremely happy to join Jose, being a huge fan of his music and reminiscing on the fact that ‘"Light My Fire" was the first album he ever bought. He set off on a world tour with Jose which lasted four years. Bob had a blast – he explains Jose as a ‘monster player’ and the band as a ‘great hang’. In between touring dates, Bob would return to Los Angeles and dig up more contacts which brought more gigs. Fate would soon shine down once again.

When Elton John ended his tour in 1989, Guy Babylon introduced Bob to Elton John’s longtime guitar slinger, Davey Johnstone. At that time, Davey, Guy, and longtime Elton John drummer Nigel Olsson were about to make a record together and asked Bob to join them. They named their band Warpipes, and their album debuted in 1990. Everyone who heard the album loved it, but it was met with the usual management and record company obstacles. The project stalled, and Guy and Davey were called to begin Elton John's The One album in Paris. A bit discouraged but never losing his drive, Bob proceeded to once again hit the streets to find more playing opportunities.

As ‘The One’ tour was about to begin, Elton asked legendary bassistPino Palladino to join him. Pino was forced to decline because his wife was scheduled to give birth. Elton asked Davey Johnstone if he knew any bassists who could fill the spot and Davey replied by saying, "We’ve been playing with this cat Bob Birch in LA. How about we give him a try?" On February 14, 1992, Elton agreed and asked Davey to call Bob, which began what the Detroit born bassist calls ‘sideman heaven’. When asked about his new spot in Elton’s group he always responded that he ‘couldn't ask for a better gig’. Birch continued to respond after being asked about his feelings on joining Elton’s band by stating, “Not only is the music fantastic, but the bass lines are classic and Elton is a gem. He is like family; I love him dearly and truly value our personal and musical relationship with all of my heart". Being Elton's touring and primary recording bassist obviously opened up more avenues for Birch in his musical career. Once again, in between gigs with Elton, Bob was back in L.A. looking for even more playing opportunities.

In 1993, he met super-musician and composer Marc Bonilla and was asked to join his band, ‘The Dragonchoir’ for the time he had between tours with Elton. Bob accepted, and with Marc he performed live and recorded with Keith Emerson, Steve Porcaro, Glenn Hughes, and Ronnie Montrose. ‘That band SMOKED!’ says Bob. He found it a real honor to play on Keith Emerson's solo album, featuring Marc Bonilla, alongside his Detroit brother Gregg Bissonette on drums. Birch teamed up with Marc Bonilla on a few other works he is very proud of. Together they worked on a unique comedy album, Fuzzatonic Scream by Bobby Gaylor, which Bonilla produced. Also with Marc, along with studio pro Mike Mason, Bob played on the soundtracks of the movies The Replacements and The Scorpion King for Los Angeles film composer John Debney. Bonilla also gave Birch the chance to play with one of his favorite vocalists, David Coverdale, at Mark & Brian's Christmas show. Touring with Elton opened up continuous opportunities for Bob to expand his musical creativity.

Since Elton teamed up with Billy Joel for multiple tours which Birch was a part of, it give him the chance to hook up with Billy’s saxophone ace and human gem Mark Rivera. Mark and Bob quickly became good friends, and Bob is especially thankful for Mark asking him to be the primary bassist at one of the first Rock & Roll Fantasy Camps. The Camp allowed Birch the opportunity to perform with Leslie West, Rick Derringer, Nils Lofgren, Mike Love, Lou Gramm, and as a real special treat he got the chance to be the third member of the ‘Detroit Royalty’Grand Funk Railroad with Mark Farner and Don Brewer. Another memorable moment for Bob was when Rick Latham, drummer and friend of Bob’s, gave him the chance to play with Edgar Winter and the White Trash featuring Rick Derringer reunion at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1999.

Another extra special moment came while recording Made In England with Elton John at Air Studios in London. Bob will never forget one day sitting in the studio lobby reading a magazine during a break and he noticed a shadow blocking his light. As he looked up, he instantly recognized the immortal Beatles producer George Martin. George asked Bob if he “would be up for playing on a couple of tracks he was doing with chromatic harp ace Larry Adler's album The Glory of Gershwin. After Bob “picked his jaw off of the floor”, he answered yes. Yet another highlight of his career was building a musical relationship with producer and song writer David Harris. Harris asked Bob to play on Brian Doerksen’s Juno Award winning album, which was put together with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and Toto singer Joseph Williams. That led to the opportunity to co-write as well as play on a song for Joseph Williams’ solo album, This Fall. Bob said that "having being a huge Toto fan, it was an honor to be involved with Joseph. "Seeing my name on an album alongside my all-time heroes David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and Bobby Kimball was obviously an added rush”.

On August 15, 2012, Birch was found dead in an apparent gunshot suicide. His body was found close to his home. He left a wife, Michele, and a son, Jonathan.