Bob Klose: The Early Guitarist of Pink Floyd
Before they became global icons of psychedelic rock, the members of Pink Floyd navigated a formative period of musical experimentation and shifting lineups. Among the key figures of this era was Bob Klose, a talented musician whose contributions helped shape the band's earliest iterations during their time as students in London.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1945 in Cambridge, Bob Klose grew up in a modest household. His father, a veteran of the Spanish Civil War and a refugee from Nazi Germany, worked on a farm where the family initially lived in a field tent before moving to a small village in Cambridgeshire. His mother served as an English Land Girl, a member of the Women's Land Army.
Klose's education took him through several village schools before he attended school in Cambridge. It was here that he first met future Pink Floyd members Syd Barrett and Roger Waters. Seeking further education, Klose moved to London to study architecture and science at the Regent Street Polytechnic. However, by the late 1960s, he abandoned his formal studies to dedicate himself fully to the arts of photography and printmaking.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Formative Years of Pink Floyd
While studying architecture, Klose began playing lead guitar in a rhythm and blues band. The early ensemble featured Roger Waters on guitar, Richard Wright on rhythm guitar, Nick Mason on drums, Clive Metcalfe on bass, and vocalists Keith Noble and Juliette Gale. Under the guidance of manager Ken Chapman, who also contributed early material, the group performed under several names, including "Sigma 6," "the Meggadeaths," "the Abdabs," and "the Screaming Abdabs."
Evolution of the Lineup
As the group evolved, Metcalfe, Noble, and Gale departed (though Gale later married Richard Wright). The lineup shifted to include Syd Barrett on rhythm guitar and vocals, alongside Bob Klose on lead guitar and vocals. Roger Waters transitioned to bass and vocals, Richard Wright moved to organ and vocals, and Nick Mason remained on drums.
During this period, the band fluctuated between the names "Tea Set" and "the Pink Floyd Sound," the latter inspired by blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Eventually, the word "Sound" was dropped, and later, the definite article "the" was removed, leaving the name we know today.
Departure from the Band
Despite his musical skill, Klose's priorities differed from those of his bandmates. He was more drawn to jazz and blues than the emerging psychedelia and pop sounds favored by Barrett. Additionally, Klose felt a stronger obligation to his academic studies. By July 1965, he left the group, leaving Syd Barrett to take over lead guitar, lead vocals, and the majority of the songwriting.
Reflecting on Klose's departure, Richard Wright later noted that Klose was a superior musician to the rest of the group but was more conscientious regarding his exams and professional future.
Key Facts
- Early Connection: Met Syd Barrett and Roger Waters while attending school in Cambridge.
- Musical Role: Served as the lead guitarist during the band's transition through names like "The Tea Set" and "The Pink Floyd Sound."
- Genre Preference: Preferred jazz and blues over the psychedelic pop direction the band eventually took.
- Academic Background: Studied architecture and science at Regent Street Polytechnic before pursuing photography.
- Recording Credit: His guitar work is featured on the early recordings "Lucy Leave" and "I'm a King Bee."
Later Career and Collaborations
Though he left the band early, Klose remained active in the arts and music. In 2001, he appeared in the BBC documentary The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story, where he discussed his time with Barrett. His early recordings, credited as "Rado Klose," were officially released in 2015 on the album Their First Recordings.
Klose's later musical contributions include guest appearances on David Gilmour's albums On an Island (2006) and Rattle That Lock (2015). He also contributed to Paul "Mudd" Murphy's Claremont 56 (2006), Chico Hamilton's Juniflip (2006)—where he is credited as a co-writer for "Kerry's Caravan"—and the electronic album Blue River (2007) by Smith & Mudd.
Beyond music, Klose contributed to the literary world in 2006 by writing an accompanying essay for Rowland Hilder's British Isles, a picture book of watercolor paintings.
| Period/Year | Activity/Project | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1960s | Sigma 6 / The Abdabs | Lead Guitarist |
| 1964–1965 | The Tea Set / Pink Floyd Sound | Lead Guitar and Vocals |
| Late 1960s | Photography & Printmaking | Professional Artist |
| 2006 | On an Island (David Gilmour) | Guest Performer (as Rado Klose) |
| 2006 | Juniflip (Chico Hamilton) | Musician and Co-writer |
| 2015 | Rattle That Lock (David Gilmour) | Guitarist |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bob Klose leave Pink Floyd?
Klose left the band around July 1965 because he was more focused on his academic studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic and preferred jazz and blues over the psychedelic pop direction the band was pursuing.
What was the band called when Bob Klose was a member?
The group used several names during Klose's tenure, including Sigma 6, the Meggadeaths, the Abdabs, the Screaming Abdabs, the Tea Set, and the Pink Floyd Sound.
Did Bob Klose ever record with the band?
Yes, his guitar can be heard on the early acetate singles "Lucy Leave" and "I'm a King Bee," which were eventually released in 2015 on Their First Recordings.
What other names has Bob Klose used professionally?
He has been credited as "Rado Klose" on certain projects, including his early recordings and David Gilmour's 2006 album On an Island.
What did Bob Klose do after leaving the music scene in the 60s?
He devoted himself to photography and printmaking, and later wrote an essay for a book featuring the watercolor paintings of Rowland Hilder.