Ken Hensley — an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer known best for his work with Uriah Heep — has died. Hensley's brother and former bandmates confirmed on social media that the artist passed Wednesday (November 4), though a cause of death was not revealed. He was 75.
"Ken wrote some amazing songs in his tenure with the band, and they will remain a musical legacy that will be in people's hearts forever," Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box wrote. "His communication through lyrics and melody have stood the test of time, and with the power and chemistry of the band bringing those songs to life, we achieved success we could only have dreamed of."
Born in 1945, Hensley formed a band dubbed the Gods in his 20s with the likes of Mick Taylor (the Rolling Stones), Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne).
Hensley would join Uriah Heep in 1969, when they were known as Spice, and remained with the group until 1980. In addition to successful singles "Lady in Black" and "Look at Yourself," his playing and songwriting appeared across the band's first 13 albums.
After leaving Uriah Heep, Hensley moved to the United States, leading his own bands and performing with Blackfoot, W.A.S.P., Cinderella and more.
KISS guitarist Paul Stanley recalled touring with Uriah Heep in the 1970s, writing that Hensley was "a huge part of their success and a true rockstar."
In a tribute of his own, Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt called Hensley "more than just a great songwriter. He had the meanest Hammond sound EVER! He made that instrument roar like a beast! There's so many songs he wrote that feels like they're part of my DNA now. It's incredible difficult to fathom how much his music has meant to me, and the rest of us in Opeth."
"Ken wrote some amazing songs in his tenure with the band, and they will remain a musical legacy that will be in people's hearts forever," Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box wrote. "His communication through lyrics and melody have stood the test of time, and with the power and chemistry of the band bringing those songs to life, we achieved success we could only have dreamed of."
Born in 1945, Hensley formed a band dubbed the Gods in his 20s with the likes of Mick Taylor (the Rolling Stones), Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne).
Hensley would join Uriah Heep in 1969, when they were known as Spice, and remained with the group until 1980. In addition to successful singles "Lady in Black" and "Look at Yourself," his playing and songwriting appeared across the band's first 13 albums.
After leaving Uriah Heep, Hensley moved to the United States, leading his own bands and performing with Blackfoot, W.A.S.P., Cinderella and more.
KISS guitarist Paul Stanley recalled touring with Uriah Heep in the 1970s, writing that Hensley was "a huge part of their success and a true rockstar."
In a tribute of his own, Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt called Hensley "more than just a great songwriter. He had the meanest Hammond sound EVER! He made that instrument roar like a beast! There's so many songs he wrote that feels like they're part of my DNA now. It's incredible difficult to fathom how much his music has meant to me, and the rest of us in Opeth."
