Bob Welch was the son of a movie producer, born in Los Angeles in 1945 and raised in Beverly Hills. In the early 60's he studied in Paris and hung out with local musicians before returning to California in the middle of the decade to join multiracial group THE SEVEN SOULS. After the group folded he returned to Paris and formed another group HEAD WEST, before joining FLEETWOOD MAC in 1971.He recorded 5 LP's with the band, but left before the recording of their breakthrough self titled LP in 1975
Welch had contributed a lot to FLEETWOOD MAC in terms of performance and songwriting, so it wasn't difficult to land a record deal for his next project PARIS ,a hard rock power trio in which he was joined by ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick and former Nazz drummer Thom Mooney. The band released two moderately selling LP's in 75' and 76,but split soon after. Songs from an aborted 3rd LP would appear on the 1st Bob Welch solo release, the sublime rock/disco fusion FRENCH KISS in September 77'.The first 45 that was pulled from it ''EBONY EYES'' took off and the LP reached #12 on the Billboard album chart at the start of the following year
The LP is literally crammed with gems and stands as one of the greats of the the late 70's.It's follow up THREE HEARTS in 79' replicated the format, but was less successful artistically and in terms of sales. Bob continued to record, but nothing reached the peak of FRENCH KISS. Tragically he took his own life in 2012 while suffering from serious pain following spinal surgery
FRENCH KISS - SIDE ONE,TRACK 3 - HOT LOVE IN A COLD WORLD
FRENCH KISS - SIDE ONE,TRACK 6 - OUTSKIRTS
FRENCH KISS - SIDE TWO,TRACK 3 - CAROLENE
FRENCH KISS - SIDE TWO,TRACK 4 - DANCIN' IN OUR EYES
