Rick Grech

Richard Roman Grech, Born November 1, 1946, Bordeaux, France. Passed March 17, 1990, Leicester, England. A fine, multi-talented musician, Rick played bass guitar as well as other stringed instruments during his career. Most noted for his involvement with Blind Faith, he also was a key player in the British folk/rock group called the 'Family'. Upon contacts within the Island Records organisation, Rick became acquainted with Steve Winwood, which led to partying and jamming with Winwood and Clapton. Grech moved beyond Blind Faith, collaborating with Winwood and others in Ginger Baker's Airforce in early 1970, then with Winwood into the reincarnation of Traffic in late 1970, and participated in numerous sessions. Standouts are the Muddy Waters London Sessions, Gram Parsons' efforts following the Flying Burrito Brothers, a short stint with The Crickets (reformed in 1973, 14 years following Buddy Holly's passing), and an interesting experimental effort with Michael Bloomfield & Aynsley Dunbar. Eventually Grech grew tired of the rock scene and retired in 1977, returning to Leicester to sell carpet. He eventually developed a drinking problem, and on March 17, 1990 he died of liver and kidney failure at the age of 43.