Bobby Sansom

Bobby started out fronting a rock band in England (Bobby Sansom & The Giants). He won a television talent contest as a solo singer, resulting in becoming resident singer on several network T.V. shows, including the thrice weekly The Lunchtime Show, with actor singer Jim Dale in which Sansom also acted in comedy skits. Concurrently, he co-hosted late night Sunday program Songs I'd Wished I'd Written and a jazz program called Strictly For the Birds, which featured the Dudley Moore Trio and a celebrity guest each week. Around this time, Bob started his recording career. Sansom's records included a cover of The Beatles "There's A Place" that peaked at U.K. #4 and others still well-regarded in Northern Soul circles. Several tours of England and Europe ensued, with a month-long stop at Liverpool's Cavern Club and Hamburg's Star Club among them. Sansom then moved to Los Angeles, forming Bobby Samson & The The Maus-Marks there and collaborated with producer/arranger Ernie Freeman whose pedigree included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Petula Clark. The Maus-Marks gigged in Hollywood and L.A. spots such as the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and P.J.'s. and charted "Don't Leave" (#2 in the San Francisco market). A three month solo stint at the Aladdin Hotel with "The Funky Soul Revue" followed.