Bob Rafkin has come into his
own as a premier singer, songwriter and guitar finger stylist. He has won awards
for his work, writing timeless music, instrumentally and lyrically, as evidenced
on his nine Lake Ridge Records recordings.
"Down This Road", released in 1994, was lauded by DIRTY LINEN,
"He's an exceptional guitarist, has a smooth, pleasing voice, and his years
spent in the studio show in the simple, yet effective arrangements." Since
then, Rafkin has released eight other CDs, "Out Of Jericho", "The
Circus Is In Town", “One Man Band”, Songs Of Bob Rafkin and three
guitar instrumental CD’s, “Velvet Hand”, “Six String Christmas” and
“Eclectic Treehouse”. Two of Bob’s instrumental albums have been featured
on The Weather Channel. His Latest CD is ”This And That”.
Bob's career in music has had many twists and turns which have brought him full
circle.
Born in New York City, Bob grew up in Washington D.C., Cleveland and
Philadelphia. Rafkin's musical journey actually began when he headed for
Greenwich Village in the mid-sixties where he joined forces with David Blue to
form the campy folk-rock group, The American Patrol.
In the Village, Bob met folksingers Phil Ochs and Eric Andersen, and Eric
Jacobsen, producer for the Lovin' Spoonful, Tim Hardin and Sopwith Camel. He
played guitar on and contributed musical arrangements to Eric Andersen's 1966
album, "More Hits From Tin Can Alley," on Vanguard Records.
In 1967, Eric Jacobsen moved to San Francisco to start Sweet Reliable
Productions. Bob also relocated there to work as a producer, musical arranger
and session guitarist. Old friends David Blue and Phil Ochs moved to Los
Angeles, where Bob eventually settled after breaking with Jacobsen in 1968. He
played on and produced David Blue's 1972 Asylum LP, "Stories," and
played on two LP's by Phil Ochs, including the legendary live album,
"Gunfight At Carnegie Hall." Jobs were plentiful as Bob worked along
side producers Henry Lewy, Larry Marks and Lenny Waronker.
He played on sessions for Gene Vincent, The Everly Brothers, Randy Newman and
Arlo Guthrie, and was hired to rework Joni Mitchell's1972 song, "Blonde In
The Bleachers," for a single release.
Bob's songwriting career took flight in the early seventies with his song
"Lazy Waters," covered by the Byrd's on their LP, "Farther
Along." He wrote the score for a PBS documentary, furnished the off-camera
recording for actor Greg Evigan (B.J. McKay on the NBC TV program "B.J. and
the Bear") and his song, "Ain't Gonna Rain No More" was featured
on the soundtrack to the feature film "Spree".
Bob's first-rate guitar playing was in demand for Tim Buckley's "Sefronia"
album and Augie Meyer's 1973 Polydor LP "Western Head Music Company."
He collaborated on a country song with rock and roll legend, Johnny Tillotson.
After the untimely passing of David Blue, Phil Ochs and Tim Buckley in the
mid-seventies, Rafkin took time off from the studio scene to redirect his life
and establish his own woodworking business, allowing his creative desires an
outlet without the immense pressures of the recording industry.
In 1991, Bob relocated to central Florida where he currently lives with his wife
and daughter. So began the current phase in his rich musical life. All eight of
his CDs were composed and recorded since his 1991 move. In 1994, Bob was a
winner in the Florida Guitar Finger Picking Championship and the South Florida
Festival Songwriters Competition. Besides his private guitar teaching and
clinics, Bob has performed all over Florida, in Nashville at the Bluebird Cafe
and at the Bethlehem Musikfest in Pennsylvania. He opened for Willie Nelson in
1997 and 1999. In 2002 and 2003, Bob toured the United Kingdom with country
music artist, Annie Sims. Since then, Bob has returned to the UK each year, as a
solo performer.