16 Facts About Ken Hensley

Kenneth William David Hensley was an English musician, singer, songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s.

Ken Hensley learned how to play guitar at the age of 12 from a Bert Weedon manual.

In early 1965, Ken Hensley formed a band called The Gods, with the young guitarist Mick Taylor, well known later for his work with John Mayall and The Rolling Stones.

Ken Hensley wrote most of the material, sang and played the Hammond B3 organ as the band already had Taylor on guitar.

Ken Hensley played mostly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career.

The album was released before Ken Hensley joined Toe Fat, and might almost be considered a prototype for the harder side of his future work in Uriah Heep.

Paul Newton asked Ken Hensley to join forces in Spice, as they were looking for a keyboard player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive, in keeping with the current trend.

Ken Hensley recorded his first two solo albums, Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf and Eager To Please during this time.

Ken Hensley was supported mainly by Mark Clarke and Bugs Pemberton.

In 1980 Ken Hensley left the band, unhappy with the musical direction they had chosen.

In 1982, Ken Hensley joined Blackfoot, a hard rock Florida-based band.

Ken Hensley was joined by former Uriah Heep singer John Lawton, their first public collaboration since the latter's departure from Uriah Heep in 1979.

On 7 December 2001, both John Lawton and Ken Hensley appeared on stage with Uriah Heep during the annual Magician's Birthday Party at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.

In September 2008, Ken Hensley went on stage again with former Heep bandmates Lawton, Kerslake and Newton along with ex-Focus guitarist Jan Dumee, for the "Heepvention 2008" fans meeting.

Ken Hensley died on 4 November 2020, at the age of 75 following a short illness.

Ken Hensley had finished an album titled My Book of Answers before his death, that was released on 5 March 2021.