Bob Hardy

Bob Hardy was greatly influenced by the blues artists he heard on the radio as a kid growing up in Liverpool. He loved Count Basie and was blown away when a school mate, later known as Ringo Starr, gave Bob an album that contained several American blues artists including Lightnin’ Hopkins. This changed the way he heard music and increased his passion to play. Bob began playing during the skiffle craze in 1958 and after a stay in the British Navy he formed his own band - the Groundhogs. Over the years his bands played in the famous Cavern club in Liverpool, throughout London as well as at night clubs in Hamburg, Germany. In 1986 he and Gaz Gaskell formed the band Juke, which played the Montreux Music Festival for ten years during which time Bob was earning his degree in music.