Reg Webb

Reginald William "Reg" Webb (17 May 1947 – 28 January 2018) was an English musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and vocalist renowned for his eclectic blend of jazz, rock, pop, soul, and blues.^[1] Blinded at age one due to retinal cancer, which necessitated the surgical removal of both eyes, Webb overcame significant challenges to build a prolific career centered on keyboards and piano, while also playing guitar and drums.^[2] He formed influential bands, released solo recordings, and toured internationally with major artists, establishing himself as a respected figure in the British music scene.^[3]^[1] Born in Chelmsford, Essex, Webb was introduced to music by his father, a semi-professional musician, and began formal training in classical piano at Worcester College for the Blind (now New College Worcester), a specialist boarding school he attended from age four.^[2]^[3] He later earned a degree in social sciences from the University of Birmingham, where he continued performing piano in local gigs to support himself.^[2] Self-taught in jazz improvisation by listening to recordings, Webb's early influences spanned genres, reflecting his determination to avoid being pigeonholed as a "blind musician."^[3] Webb's professional breakthrough came in the late 1960s with the formation of the Reg Webb Trio, which evolved into Reg Webb Fusion in 1970, a band that fused jazz standards with contemporary pop and rock elements.^[3] He signed a solo deal with EMI, releasing the album Lucy J. in 1973, though it achieved limited commercial success.^[3]^[4] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he performed at notable UK venues like the 606 Club in London and collaborated with musicians including Nik Kershaw and Kenn Elson in Fusion lineups.^[1]^[3] In the 1990s, Webb expanded internationally, briefly relocating to San Francisco for gigs before returning to the UK due to visa complications.^[3] His touring career peaked with stints as a keyboardist for high-profile acts, including Suzi Quatro, Lenny Kravitz, Vanessa Paradis, and The Outfield, contributing to albums like The Outfield's Play Deep.^[1] Later projects included the duo Short People and The Reg Webb Band, alongside contributions to compilations such as Les Barker's Cat Nav in 2009.^[1] Webb remained active in the East Anglian jazz circuit until his death from metastasized bladder cancer—a secondary condition linked to his childhood retinoblastoma—on 28 January 2018 in Colchester, Essex.^[1] His legacy endures through his versatile discography and inspirational story of resilience in the music industry.^[2]^[3]

Early life

Childhood and family background

Reginald William Webb was born on 17 May 1947 in Chelmsford, Essex, England, into a working-class family. His father worked in a factory, enduring long hours in a demanding job to support the household, while instilling an early appreciation for music through his own interests in Black American folk traditions, including recording radio broadcasts for the young Reg to experience.^[3]^[5]^[6] At 13 months old, Webb was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer primarily affecting infants and young children, which originates in the retina and can rapidly spread if untreated. The condition necessitated the surgical removal of both eyes (enucleation), resulting in total and permanent blindness from infancy. This early-onset retinoblastoma not only shaped his sensory world but also carried lifelong health implications, including an elevated risk of secondary cancers due to the genetic mutations associated with the disease—mutations that later contributed to his own battle with metastatic bladder cancer.^[7]^[2]^[8] Family life revolved around resilience amid hardship, with Webb's father serving as a profound influence through his determination and sacrifices, despite the monotony of his factory work. In 1966, when Webb was 19, his father died at age 46. At around age four, Webb transitioned to formal education by entering a boarding school for the blind, marking the beginning of structured support for his condition.^[3]^[3]

Education and early musical development

Reg Webb received his early education at Worcester College for the Blind in Worcester, England, a boarding school for visually impaired students that is now known as New College Worcester.^[3] During his time there in the late 1950s, he developed an interest in music through classical piano lessons, studying works by composers such as Brahms, Ravel, and Debussy.^[3] Influenced briefly by his father's musical inclinations from childhood, Webb also began exploring jazz informally by observing and questioning fellow students and musicians.^[3] As a student, he formed the W Brothers band alongside classmates Andy Woods and Peter White, an ensemble imaginatively named for their surnames that performed original material and aimed to rival emerging groups like the Beatles.^[9] Around the age of 14 or 15, Webb started his early gigging experiences, playing rhythm guitar in Maurice Rowley's dance band based in Chelmsford, Essex.^[3] These performances marked his initial forays into live music outside school, providing practical exposure to ensemble playing and audience interaction. From 1966 to 1969, he pursued higher education, earning a social science degree from the University of Birmingham, during which he balanced studies with occasional piano gigs and returned to Essex for performances at local venues like the Red Lion in Margaretting during vacations.^[3] Following graduation, Webb initially trained as a social worker with Essex County's Mental Health Department but found the bureaucratic aspects unappealing.^[10] By 1971, increasing demand for his musical services led him to abandon social work and commit to music as a full-time profession.^[10]

Career

Early bands and professional beginnings

Reg Webb's professional music career commenced in the late 1960s when he founded the Reg Webb Trio, consisting of Webb on keyboards and vocals, Alan Morgan on bass, and Dave Meakin on drums; the group performed at local venues such as the Red Lion in Margaretting, Essex.^[3] By around 1970, the trio evolved into Reg Webb Fusion, incorporating a broader fusion of jazz, pop, and rock influences to secure more commercial gigs, with lineup changes including Alan Clarke on drums, Kenn Elson on bass, and the addition of young guitarist Nik Kershaw, who contributed to the band's songwriting and performances at East Anglian spots like the Traveller’s Joy in Rayleigh and the Kingfisher in Ipswich.^[3]^[7] This period marked Webb's shift toward original material, as he noted the name "Fusion" allowed the band flexibility to "play what the hell we wanted."^[3] In parallel, Webb pursued a solo deal with EMI around 1971–1972, where the label rebranded him as James Webley and released his debut album Lucy J. in 1973, featuring folk-jazz elements; however, it achieved limited commercial success due to a major upheaval in EMI's executive personnel.^[3]^[11]^[4] Webb, disliking the pseudonym, abandoned it after parting ways with the label, though it had yielded singles in 1973.^[11] The James Webley Trio, an extension of his early ensemble, briefly operated under this alias before reverting to Webb's name, emphasizing his growing focus on band-led fusion work.^[7] By the late 1970s, Fusion solidified as Webb's primary vehicle, leading to the release of their sole album Till I Hear from You in 1980 on Telephone Records, recorded between April 1979 and May 1980 with Kershaw handling additional vocals.^[12] The LP, pressed on blue vinyl, blended jazz-pop and funky new wave styles across tracks like the title song "Till I Hear from You" (a soulful ballad co-written by Webb), "Champagne Lady" (showcasing upbeat brass and rhythms), and "Big Brother" (praised for its sharp songwriting); "Look Behind You" notably prefigured Kershaw's later hit "Human Racing."^[12]^[13] Though commercially obscure at the time, the album garnered retrospective acclaim for its innovative East Anglian sound and was digitally remastered and reissued on CD in 2013 by Angel Air Records, highlighting its enduring cult appeal.^[14] Webb also formed Reg and the Readers in the early 1980s as a six-piece jazz-soul-funk outfit, performing sporadically at venues like London's 606 Club to explore more improvisational and genre-blending live sets.^[7] Fusion disbanded in 1982, capping this formative phase of Webb's career.^[15]

Session work and major collaborations

Webb's session work in the 1980s began with contributions to The Outfield's debut album Play Deep (1985), where he provided keyboards and backing vocals across multiple tracks, earning a platinum certification for his role in the record's success.^[16] He also joined the band for their inaugural U.S. tour supporting the album and appeared in the music video for the hit single "Your Love," performing as the keyboardist.^[17] Later, in 1992, Webb contributed piano to track 11, "Wake Up," on The Outfield's Rockeye, showcasing his continued association with the group.^[18] In the 1990s, Webb's touring commitments expanded to high-profile international acts, where he served primarily as a keyboardist and backing vocalist. He supported Lenny Kravitz on the 1991 tour for Mama Said, performing keyboards and vocals, and appeared in the video for "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over."^[7] This was followed by tours across America, Europe, and Japan with Kravitz and French singer Vanessa Paradis in the early 1990s, handling keyboard duties and occasional lead vocals.^[17] Webb's final major tour of the decade came in 1995 with Suzi Quatro, including her Oldie Night performance, where he played keyboards, piano, and provided backing vocals; he also contributed to her album What Goes Around... that year.^[7] A pivotal aspect of Webb's career involved mentoring emerging talent, notably Nik Kershaw, whom he recruited as guitarist for his band Fusion in the late 1970s after spotting him at a local pub gig. Over three years, Webb guided Kershaw through intensive performances—ranging from pub sets to large concerts and dinner events—covering diverse repertoire that honed his professional skills and "set [him] on [his] way."^[15] This foundation extended to recordings; during sessions for Kershaw's 1984 debut Human Racing, Webb was called in to recreate a keyboard part from an old Fusion song for the title track, nailing the performance in under five minutes.^[15] Beyond these highlights, Webb's versatility as a multi-instrumentalist—primarily on keyboards and piano, but also incorporating vocals—saw him credited on sessions for artists like Robin Trower, with keyboard and writing roles on Passion (1987) and keyboards on Take What You Need (1988).^[19] He also provided freelance studio support for David Essex and Andy Piercy, as well as recordings with Steve Harley, Shirley Bassey, and Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre, emphasizing his adaptability across rock, pop, and jazz-infused projects in the 1980s and 1990s.^[17]^[15]

Later projects and performances

In the 1990s, Reg Webb formed the duo Short People with his second wife, Kate Pace, blending Motown-inspired soul and pop styles to create an engaging repertoire suited for parties and events across East Anglia. The duo quickly gained popularity on the Essex music scene, performing covers of classic hits and original material that highlighted Webb's skills as a pianist and vocalist alongside Pace's harmonies. This partnership lasted approximately 13 years, establishing Short People as a go-to act for lively, dance-oriented sets that drew on soulful grooves and upbeat pop arrangements.^[3] Following the end of his marriage to Pace around 2006, Webb continued the Short People project in the early 2010s by collaborating with Colchester-based singer Laura Jepp, who took over vocal duties and infused fresh energy into the duo's soul and pop performances. This transition allowed the act to persist, with Jepp and Webb delivering live renditions of standards like "Need You Now" at local venues, maintaining the Motown flair while adapting to contemporary audiences. The collaboration emphasized tight vocal interplay and keyboard-driven arrangements, preserving the duo's reputation for accessible, feel-good entertainment in regional circuits.^[3]^[20] Building on his prior tour experience with major artists, which honed his versatility, Webb increasingly focused on intimate jazz and fusion outings in Essex during the 2000s and 2010s. A notable highlight was his 2016 appearance at the Colchester Arts Centre Jazz Club Relaunch Night, where his trio performed standards and later backed guitarist John Etheridge in a set that showcased Webb's improvisational prowess on piano. These efforts extended to regular gigs at Essex spots like The Bull in Colchester, where he led his trio The Three B's—featuring bassist Lincoln Anderson and drummer Andrew Dowding—in eclectic mixes of jazz standards, blues, and fusion elements tailored for local jazz enthusiasts.^[15]^[21]^[3]

Personal life

Marriages and family

Webb's first marriage resulted in the birth of his son, Paul Webb.^[7] Little is documented about the family life during this period, though it coincided with the early stages of his professional music career. In 1993, Webb married singer Kate Pace upon his return to the UK after touring with Lenny Kravitz.^[22] Their 13-year marriage overlapped significantly with their collaborative musical project, the duo Short People, which they formed during this time and which became a notable part of the Essex music scene.^[3] The partnership blended Pace's vocals with Webb's piano and vocals, fostering a supportive creative environment amid his session work and performances. Webb's third marriage was to American Heather, with whom he relocated to San Francisco in pursuit of new musical opportunities, including connections to artists like Maria Muldaur.^[3] However, challenges in obtaining permanent US residency strained the relationship, leading to divorce and Webb's return to the UK. Throughout his career, Webb's family provided essential support, from collaborative ventures like Short People to accompanying relocations that influenced his professional network and projects.^[3]

Illness and death

In 2016, Reg Webb was diagnosed with bladder cancer, which later metastasized.^[7] This condition was a secondary cancer, a known risk for survivors of childhood retinoblastoma like Webb, whose lifelong blindness resulted from that early eye malignancy treated by surgical removal of both eyes at 13 months old.^[7] The progression of the metastatic bladder cancer complicated his health in his final years, ultimately leading to a pulmonary embolism.^[23] Webb died from the pulmonary embolism on 28 January 2018 at St Helena Hospice in Colchester, Northeast Essex, England, at the age of 70.^[24] He continued performing with artists such as Suzi Quatro until his 2016 diagnosis, after which his health deteriorated.^[7] His funeral service took place at Colchester Crematorium on 1 March 2018 at 11:00am, with donations directed to St Helena Hospice in lieu of family flowers.^[24]

Legacy

Mentorship and influence

Reg Webb played a pivotal role in launching the career of singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw, serving as a mentor during the late 1970s and into the 1980s. As the leader of the band Fusion, Webb recruited the young Kershaw as a guitarist, providing him with nearly four years of intensive on-the-job training that Kershaw described as a "muso university." This included practical lessons in musical techniques, such as flattening a fifth or augmenting a third, alongside broader guidance on appreciating diverse genres, which equipped Kershaw with the skills to record his debut album Human Racing in 1984. Webb also offered tangible support by securing gigs for Kershaw, from local pub performances to larger concerts and dinner dances, and contributed to early recordings, including nailing a version of the title track "Human Racing" in under five minutes.^[15]^[6] Webb's influence extended to the jazz and fusion scenes in Essex, where he shaped emerging talent through collaborative performances and band leadership rather than formal instruction. Founding Reg Webb Fusion around 1970, he blended jazz standards with pop and progressive rock, performing at key local venues like the Red Lion in Margaretting and Colne Lodge in Colchester, which exposed local musicians to innovative fusion styles. His collaborations with figures such as Alan Clarke and later international artists like John McLaughlin fostered a vibrant East Anglian music community, inspiring players to experiment across genres. In the 1970s, Webb also taught at Colchester Institute, where he composed a rock opera and mentored students in practical music production.^[3]^[7] As a blind musician who lost his sight to retinal cancer at age one, Webb began performing professionally at age 14, demonstrating the viability of a music career despite visual impairment. In interviews, he discussed overcoming personal self-doubt related to his blindness.^[3]^[6] Webb's prowess as a multi-instrumentalist—proficient on piano, guitar, drums, and vocals—set a high standard for session musicians, inspiring a generation to embrace versatility in professional work. His recordings and tours with acts like The Outfield exemplified this adaptable style, influencing peers to prioritize eclectic skills over specialization in the competitive session scene.^[3]^[15]

Tributes and posthumous recognition

Following Reg Webb's death from cancer in January 2018, a tribute concert was held on May 5, 2019, at Colchester Arts Centre to honor his musical legacy and raise funds for cancer charities. Organized by Steve Wright of the Colchester Arts Centre Jazz Club, the event featured performances by Essex jazz musicians, including the Fusion Legacy band, Reg's Readers, the Crissy Lee Quartet, and the Frank Weatherley Trio, with special appearances by Nik Kershaw and Alan Clarke. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m., with the first band starting at 7:00 p.m., and tickets were priced at £14.^[15] In the lead-up to the concert, Nik Kershaw publicly remembered Webb as the pianist who kickstarted his career in the 1970s by inviting him to join the band Fusion, exposing him to diverse musical styles and providing opportunities to record tracks like the title song of Kershaw's album Human Racing. Kershaw highlighted Webb's collaborations with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Suzi Quatro, and Shirley Bassey, noting Webb's pride in his former bandmate's success. This remembrance appeared in a Gazette & Herald article promoting the event.^[15] Archival efforts to preserve Webb's contributions include a 2013 oral history interview conducted by Mark ‘Snowboy’ Cotgrove for the National Jazz Archive, capturing Webb's reflections on his early influences, jazz education at Worcester College for the Blind, and career milestones such as forming the Reg Webb Trio in the late 1960s and Fusion in the 1970s. Transcribed and made publicly accessible, the interview documents Webb's experiences in Essex jazz scenes and collaborations with figures like Nik Kershaw, serving as a key posthumous resource for researchers and fans.^[3] As part of ongoing recognition, the 1980 album Till I Hear From You by Webb's band Fusion was reissued on CD by Angel Air Records in 2013, featuring remastering by Webb himself and bonus tracks with vocals by Kershaw; this edition, highlighted during the 2019 tributes, underscores the enduring appeal of Webb's jazz-funk work.^[15]^[14]