Getting to know Bobby is like taking a trip through musical history; the anecdotes and memories he has to share make for a truly fascinating conversation for anyone with a passion for music. Talking to Bobby it is clear that his own passion for music is all encompassing.

In Bobby’s early days, he was inspired by some of the true greats and it would be fair to say that Bobby’s successful career owes a lot to these strong early influences; Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino. Even at this early stage, there were hints of the versatility that Bobby would later master in the eclectic range of music he enjoyed from early on.

It was in 1958 that Bobby made his first big move and formed his first band, naming them Bobby Cristo and Rebles and in a short time they were recording for Joe Meek on the Decca Label. In 1963 the band, now known as Bobby Rio and the Rebles, worked with Joe Meek again, this time on the Pye Label, recording Value for Love, Everything in the Garden and Boy Meets Girl. This early success was the foundation for a long and varied career and no doubt fanned the flames of passion for music that is still so evident in Bobby’s work.

This was just the start for Bobby and there followed some amazing opportunities, culminating in the chance to take part in a number of tours with some true greats such as Jim Reeves and the Walker Brothers. Later he had the opportunity to tour with the Stones, an amazing experience.

It is not just as a lead vocalist that Bobby has had success; he has been chosen many times to provide backing vocals for such artists as Jackie Trent, Jess Conrad, Twinkle and a host of other talented musicians and vocal artists. Demos are another area in which Bobby has excelled, singing for an unforgettable range of other artists such as Sandy Shaw and Chris Andrews.

Bobby has been called upon by the BBC to join various BBC performances as a vocalist, building upon his previous successes and gaining valuable experience at the same time. Chances such as these made Bobby Rio and the Revels an obvious choice to perform for the Beatles themselves at the Sergeant Pepper’s Premiere Party at the Inn on the Park in London.

Bobby’s next big step was to join the Chasers and record for Chris Andrews on the Phillips Label. This was the band’s last recorded single as they later split, but Bobby moved quickly on and became the lead vocalist in the Jeff Alan Trio, focusing on the world of Jazz and Swing for a number of successful years.

After his time with the Jeff Alan Trio, Bobby had the opportunity to join up with the Fred Hedley Big Band at the fantastic Royalty Ballroom in Southgate, London. Singing mainly pop, jazz, standards and rock, Bobby stayed with the Fred Hedley Big Band in Southgate for 4 years before deciding to semi-retire, choosing to take a gig here and there in order to stay in touch with the music.

It was at Christmas in 2008 that a telephone call from Martin Murry teased Bobby out of his semi-retirement with the opportunity to join and front the newly formed Honey Combs. Bobby was back! He is now, as he puts it, “enjoying it all over again”.

So what about the future for Bobby? Well, if it is anything as exciting as his past, we can all agree with him that it truly is “very exciting to think where this will take us”.