Music
Bobby Hackney
· singer, bassist, songwriter
Bassist and singer of Death, the Hackney brothers' east side Detroit proto-punk trio, who brought the band back to the stage in 2009.
- Also known as
- Bobby Hackney Sr.
- Detroit years
- 1950s–1977
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Bobby Hackney learned to play alongside his brothers David and Dannis after the Beatles' 1964 Ed Sullivan appearance, and the three practiced in their parents' house on Detroit's east side. He sang and played bass in Rock Fire Funk Express, which became Death in 1973, and co-wrote the seven songs the band recorded at United Sound Systems in February 1975. Loyal to his brother, he went along with David's refusal to change the band's name, even though it cost them a record deal. In 1977 he and Dannis moved to Burlington, Vermont, recorded gospel rock as the 4th Movement and later led the reggae band Lambsbread. His sons discovered the old recordings, formed the tribute band Rough Francis, and helped spark the 2009 Drag City release. Since then he has fronted a revived Death, releasing new albums and touring internationally.
Highlights
- Lead vocals and bass on Death's 1975 United Sound Systems recordings
- Co-wrote “Politicians in My Eyes” and “Keep On Knocking”
- Led the Vermont reggae band Lambsbread
- Reformed Death in 2009; albums III (2014) and N.E.W. (2015)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1975
United Sound Systems
The studio where Death recorded seven songs on February 18, 1975.