[Heeplist] Ken Hensley: My Book Of Answers released in March 2021

[Tapio Minkkinen]

The first of two posthumous albums of Ken Hensley will be released 5th 
March. This is a very unusual album. More information at Cherry Red 
Records website:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/ken-hensley-find-out-more-about-my-book-of-answers-the-brand-new-album-from-ken-hensley/

It is available for preordering, released on CD & Vinyl:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/ken-hensley-my-book-of-answers-cd-edition/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/ken-hensley-my-book-of-answers-limited-edition-vinyl-lp/


News
KEN HENSLEY| Find out more about ‘My Book Of Answers’, the brand new 
album from Ken Hensley!
Posted by Jack Clough	/ 92

On 5th November 2020 it was with great sadness that Ken Hensley, former 
Uriah Heep keyboard player and songwriter passed away peacefully 
following a very short illness.

Hensley was one of the most important musicians of the past 
half-a-century. His work with Uriah Heep in the 1970s helped to make the 
band hugely influential. He also collaborated with bands such as 
Blackfoot, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella, as well as building a very 
successful solo career. As a writer he was responsible for such classics 
as ‘Lady In Black’, ‘Easy Livin”, “July Morning” and ‘Look At Yourself’. 
Few artists can claim to have had a musical career and pedigree as long, 
varied and impressive.

After forming The Gods in mid-1960s London with future Stones and Mayall 
guitarist Mick Taylor, Ken made brief appearances with Toe Fat and Head 
Machine before joining Uriah Heep in time for the band’s debut album, 
“Very ‘Eavy… Very ‘Umble”.

His solo career kicked off in 1973 with “Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf”, 
and Ken remained as busy and prolific as ever, with sales in excess of 
45 million albums.

“My Book Of Answers” started with a chance encounter at Alicante airport 
on a flight bound for Moscow in 2018, when Russian businessman Vladimir 
Emelin (whose hobby is writing poetry) approached Ken. Vladimir didn’t 
have a background in the music industry, and had never made a record but 
had been a big rock fan all his life, with a special appreciation of 
Ken.

Ken Hensley said: “As someone who does not believe in coincidence, I 
would like to say that it all happened by “divine chance”! A chance 
meeting at Alicante Airport, scribbled notes exchanged on board the 
flight to Moscow, a few emails, a private concert and then a meeting at 
the Soho Bar in Alicante Harbour.”

 From translations of Vladimir’s Russian words into English, Ken 
fashioned choruses and verses until he had the basis for nine original 
new songs. The main stumbling block to starting this record was finding 
the time to create it. And then the pandemic happened. Thankfully 
advances in modern technology meant that this album could be created and 
completed remotely. The album sees Ken also returning to play slide and 
lead guitars as well as his classic Hammond playing and of course lead 
vocals.

“My Book Of Answers” was finished and scheduled for release before his 
death. Cherry Red are extremely proud to represent this very special 
record. Ken had more collaborations planned, including a combined book 
of their poetry. We’ll leave the last word to Ken: “Vladimir and I hope 
that you will get some real pleasure from something that really defined 
itself as we went along…”



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TapioM.
Email tapio at heepfiles.net
The HeepFiles website www.heepfiles.net