Hensley wrote, or co-wrote, the majority of Uriah Heep's songs during this period, including such hits as "Look at Yourself", "Lady in Black" (on both of which he also sang lead vocals), "Easy Livin'", "Stealin'" and "Free Me".
Biography
Born in London, Hensley moved with his parents, three brothers and sister to Stevenage, Hertfordshire in 1955. He started to learn how to play guitar at the age of 12, from a Bert Weedon manual. His first gig was at The Mentmore Pen Factory, in Stevenage (September 1960). After that, he played with The Blue Notes, Ken And The Cousins and Kit And The Saracens (1962). In 1963, this band evolved into The Jimmy Brown Sound, and they even recorded some now lost songs. At this time, Hensley's first "professional" opportunity almost came about: they were going to back Ben E. King on a British visit, but it never happened.[citation needed]
In Early 1965, Hensley lost his interest in soul music and formed a band called The Gods, with the young guitarist Mick Taylor, well known later for his work with The Rolling Stones. Ken wrote most of the material, sang and played the Hammond B3 organ (mainly because the band already had the talented Mick Taylor on guitar). What he didn't know then, was that he would be such an influential musician playing exactly the organ. The Gods' line-up included, at one time or another, vocalist and guitar/bass player Greg Lake (later of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), bass player Paul Newton (who would be later the first Uriah Heep bassist), drummer Lee Kerslake (later also of Heep), bassist John Glascock (later of Jethro Tull), and guitarist Joe Konas. In early 1968 they signed with Columbia Records, and recorded 2 LPs and several singles. After that, Newton left the band to join Spice, an Essex-based band.
The band eventually split but Cliff Bennett, from Rebel Rouser, decided to make a more progressive sound, and called The Gods guys to join him. So, by the name of Toe Fat, they released 2 LPs (only the first one with Ken). During this time, Ken also played on a dubious recording: Head Machine's "Orgasm" (not exactly a band, a project more likely). At this time, Ken played mainly guitar again, as in the beginning of his career.
Paul Newton asked Hensley (Christmas 1969) to join forces in Spice, since they were looking after a keyboards player to make their sound less bluesy and more progressive at the time. In January 1970, Spice changed its name into Uriah Heep. Also on the line-up were guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron. With Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley found a place to develop and show to the world his songwriting and lyrics abilities, keyboards and guitar playing. The major success came, and Heep is now acclaimed as one of UK's most legendary rock bands. The chemistry of the most classic line-up including Hensley, Byron, Box, Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain, plus the management provided by Gerry Bron (Bronze Records), were the launching points of their tremendous capability of making great music. During his time with Heep (1970 - 1980), they recorded 13 studio albums, and one of the most acclaimed live albums of all times: "Uriah Heep Live - January 1973" (not to mention lots of compilations and singles). Hensley also recorded his first 2 solo albums, "Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf" (1973) and "Eager To Please" (1975) during this time. With the departure of Thain (died in 1975) and Byron, other excellent musicians also got into the Heep family: John Wetton (Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, later of UK and Asia), Trevor Bolder (from Spiders From Mars, later of Wishbone Ash) and John Lawton (Lucifer's Friend), among others. The chemistry though, wasn't the same anymore.
In 1980 Hensley left the band, not happy with the musical directions they were choosing at the time. After trying to put a new band together first in the UK (Shotgun), he later moved to the USA and played a few gigs in North America with the suggestive name of Ken Hensley Band.
In 1982 Hensley joined Blackfoot, a hard rock Florida-based band. With them, he recorded 2 albums and achieved again some success, but he left after Bron told him about Byron's sad death in 1985. He had also released by this time his third solo LP, "Free Spirit" (1980).
Hensley had been since then almost in retirement, in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), making only a few appearances in some musical projects, with W.A.S.P., Cinderella and others. Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) has defined exactly what Hensley means to the rock'n'roll history:
"Ken Hensley wrote the rule book for heavy metal keyboards as far as I'm concerned."
This could be debated as Jon Lord of Deep Purple may have written the rule book for heavy metal keyboards in general. Ken Hensley likely wrote the rule book for heavy metal piano as heard in Paradise/The Spell from Demons and Wizards. The period also gave birth to many other amazing keyboardists/organists, not the least of which were Alan Taff Freeman of Nektar, and John Evan of Jethro Tull.
Surprisingly though, things began to change in the mid 90s after years of silence. In 1994, "From Time To Time", a collection of lost recordings, was released featuring rare songs recorded by Ken between 1971 and 1982, as well as some very good early versions of Heep's classic songs, played by Ken and his roommates at that time, namely guitarist Paul Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke (both of Free). Other musicians on the songs were bassist Boz Burrell (King Crimson and Bad Company), guitarist Mick Ralphs (Bad Company), drummers Ian Paice (Deep Purple, Whitesnake) and Kenny Jones (The Who), amongst others.
In 1999 Hensley's musical activities began to increase, besides his work with St. Louis Music. He recorded an album, "A Glimpse Of Glory", together with his band Visible Faith. An eclectic collection of ballads and hard rock tunes, this album was hugely acclaimed by fans who were hungry for new material from Ken.
During the fourth Uriah Heep Annual Convention in London, May 2000, plans were made for a one-off concert by the so-called "Hensley/Lawton Band". Ken was joined by former Heep singer John Lawton, their first public collaboration since John's departure from Heep in 1979. With them were Paul Newton (Heep's original bassist), and 2 members of John's band, Reuben Kane on lead guitar and Justin Shefford on drums. They played a sort of old Heep classics and some of Ken's solo songs to an amazed audience, and the concert was recorded for a proper CD release, followed by a tour in Europe culminating with a concert in Hamburg, Germany, featuring a full orchestra and a new rendition of Heep's old classic "Salisbury"!
This is definitely not the end of the story, since Hensley has been quite busy working on his solo career. "Running Blind", his first effort in 21 years, was released worldwide and followed by a world tour with his band called "Free Spirit", that included some incredible musicians: Dave Kilminster (guitar), Andy Pyle (bass) and Pete Riley (drums). Kilminster and Riley later also played in the Keith Emerson Band (Kilminster is part of Roger Waters band nowadays). He now plays regular annual shows at small venues in Scandinavia, such as the "Summer Party" in Fredrikstad, Norway, where he has been playing consecutive gigs every August for nearly six years.
After moving to Spain, Hensley kept his schedule busy and released "The Last Dance" (with new songs), "The Wizard's Diary" (Uriah Heep classics re-recorded in 2004) and "Cold Autumn Sunday" (Ken's solo songs re-recorded in 2005).
Featuring a number of special guests, the rock opera "Blood On The Highway" was recorded at the end of 2006 and released in May 2007. The story portrays the rise and fall of a rock'n'roll star and the eventual restart. The lead vocals role was split between Ken himself, plus Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath), Jorn Lande (ex-The Snakes, Masterplan), John Lawton (ex-Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep) and Eve Gallagher.
In September 2008, Ken Hensley joined the stage again with John Lawton, Lee Kerslake and Paul Newton, all of Uriah Heep fame plus the addition of ex-Focus guitarist Jan Dumée, for the "Heepvention 2008" fans meeting. Two shows with one acoustic one day and a full set the day after set the standard for Uriah Heep's music through 2 decades.
Hensely continued to write and record a series of new albums, beginning with a collection of songs under the title of Love & Other Mysteries, recorded near his home in Spain and followed in 2011 by Faster, his first studio recording of new songs with his live band, Live Fire. A CD of one of his solo concerts was released by Cherry Red Records in 2013, shortly followed by a live CD recorded with Live Fire during a September/October tour. Trouble, an album of 10 new songs recorded with a revised Live Fire line-up was released, again by Cherry Red, in September the same year.
Lady in Black
Ken Hensley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind.
I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking,
And destruction lay around me from a fight I could not win.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers without thought of men or god.
And I begged her give me horses to trample down my enemies,
But she would not think of battle that reduces men to animals,
So easy to begin and yet impossible to end.
For she the mother of all men had counciled me so wisely that
I feared to walk alone again and asked if she would stay.
"Oh lady lend your hand," I cried, "Oh let me rest here at your side."
"Have faith and trust in me," she said and filled my heart with life.
There is no strength in numbers. I've no such misconceptions.
But when you need me be assured I won't be far away.
Thus having spoke she turned away and though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear.
My labor is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone.
I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day.
And if one day she comes to you drink deeply from her words so wise.
Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me.
In "Lady in Black," by Ken Hensley, the singer encounters a mysterious woman on a lonely Sunday morning. He was walking in darkness, surrounded by the destruction of a fight he could not win, until the woman found him. She refused to fight his battle for him and instead taught him wisdom. He had begged her for horses to trample down his enemies, but she reminded him that battle reduces men to animals. She represents the mother of all men and mentored him so wisely that he feared walking alone again.
The singer cried out to her, asking for her hand and begged her to stay. She promised to always be nearby when he needed her. The woman wears a black cloak and disappears into the wind, but the singer finds new heart knowing he is not alone. He advises the listener that if they encounter the woman, they should drink deeply from her wise words and take courage from her example.
The lyrics tell a story about finding strength and wisdom in unexpected places. The woman in black is a symbol of wisdom and guidance that speaks to the singer's deepest needs. The song is about the importance of seeking help and listening to the advice of others, even when it may frighten us. It is a reminder that we are never truly alone.
Line by Line Meaning
She came to me one morning, one lonely Sunday morning,
One Sunday morning, a woman arrived and approached the singer.
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind.
The woman had long hair that was blowing in the mid-winter winds.
I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking,
The singer was walking alone in darkness, so he doesn't know how the woman found him.
And destruction lay around me from a fight I could not win.
There was destruction around the artist from a fight that he couldn't win.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of men or god.
The woman asked the artist who his enemy was, and he replied that it was the tendency within some men to fight and kill their own kind without any consideration for morality or religion.
And I begged her give me horses to trample down my enemies, So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life.
The singer asked the woman to give him horses so that he could destroy and defeat his enemies because he was overwhelmed with a desire to dominate over the waste of life.
But she would not think of battle that reduces men to animals, So easy to begin and yet impossible to end.
The woman didn't believe in fighting that reduces humans to the level of animals, and which can be easily started but impossible to end.
For she the mother of all men had counciled me so wisely that I feared to walk alone again and asked if she would stay.
The woman parented all men and gave the artist insightful advice that was so excellent he feared being alone again and asked her to stay.
"Oh lady lend your hand," I cried, "Oh let me rest here at your side."
The artist cried and asked the woman to help him and let him stay with her.
"Have faith and trust in me," she said and filled my heart with life.
The woman told the artist to trust her and imbued him with courage and hope.
There is no strength in numbers. I've no such misconceptions.
The singer understood intuitively that there is no real power in numbers, and he didn't hold any false beliefs to the contrary.
But when you need me be assured I won't be far away.
However, she explained to the artist that should he ever require her help, she wouldn't be far away.
Thus having spoke she turned away and though I found no words to say, I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear.
Having said this, the woman departed, and the singer watched until he could no longer see her because she wore a black cloak that blended into the surroundings.
My labor is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone.
The singer's work is still difficult, but he is now aware that he is not alone in his struggles.
I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day.
Upon recollection of that windy day, the singer feels revitalized.
And if one day she comes to you drink deeply from her words so wise.
If the listener meets this woman, the artist advises that they should listen carefully to her insightful words.
Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me.
The artist urges the listener to derive courage from the woman's advice and to say hello to her on his behalf.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEN HENSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alecs Barus
She came to me one morning
One lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind
I know not how she found me
For in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me
From a fight I could not win
Ah, ah, ah
She asked me name my foe then
I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers without thought of men or God
And I begged her give me horses
To trample down my enemies
So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life
Ah, ah, ah
But she would not think of battle that
Reduces men to animals
So easy to begin and yet impossible to end
For she the mother of all men
Had counciled me so wisely that
I feared to walk alone again
And asked if she would stay
Ah, ah, ah
Oh, lady, lend your hand, I cried
Oh, let me rest here at your side
Have faith and trust in me, she said and filled my heart with life
There is no strength in numbers
I've no such misconceptions
But when you need me be assured I won't be far away
Ah, ah, ah
Thus having spoke she turned away
And though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear
My labor is no easier
But now I know I'm not alone
I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day
And if one day she comes to you
Drink deeply from her words so wise
Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
She said it Hmmm
She came to me one morning
One lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind
I know not how she found me
For in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me from a fight I could not win
She asked me name my foe then
I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers
Without thought of love or God
And I begged her give me horses
To trample down my enemies
So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life
But she would not think of battle
That reduces men to animals
So easy to begin and yet impossible to end
For she the mother of all men
Had councelled me so wisely that
I feared to walk alone again
And asked if she would stay
"Oh lady, lend your hand," I cried
"Oh let me rest here at your side"
"Have faith and trust in me," she said
And filled my heart with life
"There is no strength in numbers
I've no such misconceptions
But when you need me be assured I won't be far away"
Thus having spoke she turned away
And though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear
My labor is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone
I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day
And if one day she comes to you
Drink deeply from her words so wise
Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me, hey
Olga Veleva
Спасибо тебе,Кен Хенсли,за то,что был и остаёшься с нами.Покойся с миром.🙏
Андрей Андрушкевич
Талановита людина... Царство небесне..." Lady in Black" - одна з кращих религійних пісень...
Евгений Петров
Бзсмертная песня как и его душа!Вечная память великому музыканту!
Александр Шушпанов
Julian morning , Sunrise... 🎼👍
Игорь Варакин
@Александр Шушпанов West vlsi me Almaty, sorrl👍
Игорь Варакин
Sergej Kablanov Это ДА! ХРЕН ЗАТРЕШЬ НАШУ ПАМЯТЬ СССР.....
АЛМААТА
YURII CHECHELNYTSKYI
это пипец . В хороше смысле. Почему совдепы Нам не разрешали слушать музыку реального уровня.
Aleks Zyb
Светлая память Великому Кену. Ты в наших сердцах навечно. Уходит эпоха великих людей
YURII CHECHELNYTSKYI
YURII CHECHELNYTSKYI
0 секунд назад
Музыку запада я слушал в суботу убегая с уроков на валне из Кельна при этом верча диапазонами и слушая урчание шумение глушителей
Alexey Zubko
Именно так, согласен полностью!!!