Rick Grech
b. 1 November 1945, Bordeaux, France, d. 17 March 1990. Bassist Ric (sometimes Rick) Grech embraced professional music in 1965 when he joined Leicester-based group, the Farinas, which later evolved into Family. By doubling on violin, Grech added considerable texture to an already inventive, exciting attraction but abandoned them in rancorous circumstances during an American tour. Ric then joined Blind Faith where an understanding forged with Steve Winwood continued with spells in Airforce (1970) and Traffic (1970-71). The bassist was later a member of the Crickets, alongside guitarist Albert Lee, and he also appeared on a session basis for Jim Capaldi, Graham Bond and Streetwalkers, the latter featuring former Family colleagues Roger Chapman and John Whitney. Grech then moved to America where a brief association with Gram Parsons resulted in his composing Kiss The Children and Las Vegas with the ill-fated country singer. The bassist then joined supergroup KGB with Mike Bloomfield and Ray Kennedy, but drug problems increasingly undermined his career.