The London-born musician, who played in the rock band between 1970 and 1980, died « peacefully » on Wednesday evening after a short illness
He will be cremated in a private ceremony in Spain, where he lived on an isolated farm with his wife, Monica
A statement from its management said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ken Hensley, former singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of Uriah Heep passed away peacefully on November 4 as a result of a very short illness
« Hensley was one of the most important musicians of the last half century. His work with Uriah Heep in the 1970s helped make the group extremely influential
« He has also collaborated with bands such as Blackfoot, WUNESP and Cinderella, as well as building a very successful solo career
« As a writer he was responsible for classics such as Lady In Black, Easy Livin ‘, July Morning and Look At Yourself
« A very spiritual person, Hensley has become an inspiration to many and is known to encourage talented artists »
Former Hensley group member Mick Box said: « I am deeply shocked by the news that Ken Hensley has passed away, and my heartfelt condolences to his family and his wife Monica
« Ken wrote some amazing songs during his tenure with the band, and they will remain a musical legacy that will stay in people’s hearts forever RIP Ken »
I am writing this with a heavy heart to let you know that my brother Ken Hensley passed away peacefully on Wednesday…
Hensley’s brother Trevor, who is also a musician, said in a Facebook post that he was « devastated »
« I am writing this with a heavy heart to let you know that my brother Ken Hensley passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, » he wrote
« His beautiful wife Monica was by his side and comforted Ken during his last minutes with us
« We are all devastated by this tragic and incredibly unexpected loss and ask that you give us some space and time to deal with it
« Ken will be cremated in a private ceremony in Spain, so don’t ask for information about a funeral
« Ken is gone but he will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts. Stay safe there »
Hensley was born Kenneth William David Hensley on August 24, 1945 in Plumstead, South East London, but raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire
At the end of 1969, he joined guitarist Box and singer David Byron in the rock band Spice
A year later, they changed the name to Uriah Heep after the sycophantic character in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield
Hensley wrote or co-wrote the majority of his songs during the heyday of the ’70s, helping to create a sound that combined progressive and heavy rock styles, often with a dominant keyboard sound.
His compositions included the hit singles Lady In Black, Easy Livin ‘and Stealin’, although he left at the end of the decade unhappy with their new musical direction
He then performed with Blackfoot and John Lawton before forming his own band, Ken Hensley & Live Fire, releasing their first live album in 2011
Hensley has been to a number of impromptu reunions with his former Uriah Heep band mates over the years, often at the annual Uriah Heep convention
He had recently completed work on a new project, My Book Of Answers, slated for release in February 2021
He leaves behind his wife, Monica, his two brothers, Trevor and Mark, and his sister, Dawn
Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley, Mick Box, The Gods
News from around the world – UK – Ken Hensley, Uriah Heep keyboardist, dies at 75
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
