Flawless songwriting sensibilities and a wonderfully twisted wit are defining factors in the career of foppish English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock. After coming to prominence with Cambridge band The Soft Boys in the early '80s, Hitchcock embarked on a prolific - if occasionally misfiring - musical trajectory, releasing wonderfully perceptive and innovative albums, such as I Often Dream Of Trains.
In recent years, he has recorded and toured regularly with REM's Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and Bill Reiflin under the moniker Robyn Hitchcock And The Venus 3.
He is also a nifty guitarist and rather fond of the Fender Telecaster, as recently revealed on the Fender website. “The Telecaster chose itself for me as my favourite electric guitar, because so many of my favourite guitar riffs were played on it… It turned out all these great explosions came from Telecasters. So I bought one in 1979 and have seldom played any other electric since."
"That chunky, slightly edible look - as if a bite has been taken out of the front of the guitar - is mirrored in the sound of the instrument. Ideal for rhythm/lead, à la Mick Green of The Pirates and Wilko Johnson.”
Your votes:
"Robyn Hitchcock." (Thanks, Fretwired)
"I think Robyn Hitchcock should get in your list of unsung legends." (From Peter via email, thanks)