Robert Birrell

Robert Birrell — born November 25, 1948 — joined the Barry Whitwam led Herman's Hermits on keyboards/vocals in May 2002. Birrell had been living in Oldham, Manchester for about thirty years, but was originally from Scotland. He had played keyboards ever since the 1960s and had toured with many bands in the UK and abroad over the years. He also taught keyboards for a number of years before joining the Hermits. Birrell was an excellent keyboard player and singer with the group for about four years, but had to quit touring in September 2006 after being diagnosed with cancer. Sadly after a two-year battle with the illness Rob Birrell passed away on October 18, 2008.