Rob Hyman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rob Hyman | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Robert Andrew Hyman | |
| Born | April 24, 1950 (age 56) Meriden, Connecticut, USA |
|
| Genre(s) | Rock | |
| Instrument(s) | Singer Keyboards Melodica Accordion |
|
| Years active | 1978–present | |
| Associated acts |
The Hooters | |
| Website | http://www.robhyman.com | |
Robert Andrew "Rob" Hyman (born April 24, 1950 in Meriden, Connecticut, USA) is an American singer, songwriter, keyboard player, accordion player, producer, arranger and recording studio owner, best known for being a founding member of the rock band The Hooters.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Hyman started taking piano lessons at the age of four and grew up playing in local bands in Meriden, Connecticut, including The Trolls and the Pro-Teens.
He attended Francis T. Maloney High School, where he was the editor of the yearbook, was voted as Most Likely to Succeed, and was the class valedictorian.
While attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, Hyman met future bandmate and composing partner Eric Bazilian and producer Rick Chertoff. The three of them formed a band called Wax, with Hyman and Bazilian later forming a band called Baby Grand in the late 1970s. Baby Grand released two albums on Arista Records, one eponymous and the other called Ancient Medicine. While the band had some critical success, it never achieved any commercial success and eventually disbanded.
[edit] Tenure with The Hooters
After Baby Grand disbanded, Hyman and Bazilian decided to try something new by combining reggae, ska, and rock'n'roll to create The Hooters in 1980.
Nervous Night, The Hooters' 1985 debut on Columbia Records, sold in excess of 2 million copies and included Billboard Top 40 hits "Day By Day" (#18), "And We Danced" (#21) and "Where Do The Children Go" (#38).
After releasing six albums, The Hooters obtained a large global following throughout the 1980s and 1990s. As a result, they were asked to open three major musical events of the late 20th century: Live Aid in Philadelphia in 1985, Amnesty International Concert at Giants Stadium in 1986, and Roger Waters' extravaganza at the Berlin Wall in 1990. In 1995, The Hooters went on hiatus, although Hyman and Bazilian would continue to collaborate together on musical projects for other artists.
Hyman reunited with The Hooters on successful headlining European summer tours in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
2007 will see the release of their first album of new material since 1993.
[edit] Musical collaborations
In 1983, Hyman worked with singer Cyndi Lauper and together they wrote the Billboard number one hit "Time After Time," which earned Hyman a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year in 1984. The song went on to be covered by over 50 artists including Miles Davis, Willie Nelson, Matchbox 20, Everything But The Girl and Cassandra Wilson.
Hyman also composed, arranged and played on Patty Smyth's 1987 solo album Never Enough, which was produced by Hyman's college friend and producer for The Hooters, Rick Chertoff. The title track was a cover of an old Baby Grand song.
In 1995, Hyman wrote, played and arranged on Joan Osborne's debut album, Relish, which went on to be nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
In 1998, Hyman again collaborated with Chertoff to create the concept album Largo, which was based on the largo movement of Antonín Dvořák's 9th Symphony From the New World. The project featured Joan Osborne, The Chieftains, David Forman, Willie Nile, Taj Mahal, Carole King and Levon Helm.
In 1999, Hyman co-wrote and performed on Ricky Martin's single "Private Emotion," which was featured on the album Ricky Martin.
In 2000, Hyman contributed to the Ron Howard movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by co-writing, co-producing, arranging and playing on "Christmas of Love" performed by Little Isidore and The Inquisitors.
In 2002, Hyman co-produced and played on an album by Dar Williams The Beauty of the Rain, and co-wrote the single "Closer To You." He also wrote and played on her 2005 album My Better Self.
Hyman has also been involved in songwriting projects with Bette Midler and a variety of other stage and film projects, as well as development projects with several emerging new artists.
[edit] Recognitions
On November 17, 2000, Hyman was inducted into the Philadelphia Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts.
[edit] Elmstreet Studios
In 2002, construction was completed on Hyman's recording studio, Elmstreet Studios, in suburban Philadelphia. Several projects have been recorded there, including the upcoming album by The Hooters. The studio combines vintage analog gear and the latest digital recording equipment, including Pro-Tools HD and houses Hyman's extensive keyboard collection.
[edit] External links
- Rob Hyman official website
- Rob Hyman at the Internet Movie Database
- Elmstreet Studios
