The Page About Robert

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The Page About Robert

Robert Illes brings a wealth of experiences and talents as a musician. This page gives a taste of what Robert adds to the band and their live performances...

Robert at the 1990 Freak Brothers Festival

Robert is of Hungarian-Austrian descent but was born and brought up in West London in 1971. He started playing the guitar at the age of 11 and formed his first band just a year later. His first guitar gig at age 12 involved a classical guitar recital of Yesterday by the Beatles. As he was not happy with the existing musical score he immediately rearranged it. Since then he has developed a secret loathing of most published musical scores claiming they never get it right. Robert has gathered about thirty pages of his favourite guitar licks which he intends to publish one day when he gets round to it.

Robert's first guitar amplifier was built by himself and his Dad - he continues to mess about with electronics to this day. In fact, he claims to be able to 'hot wire' any musical system and get it grooving.

He is largely self taught but had classical and jazz training in his teen years. Early influences included classics like the Beatles and the Who, Gary Moore and Larry Carlton. He rapidly discovered progressive rock in his late teens especially Jethro Tull and (that Yes album with Machine Messiah on - early 80's?? not Steve Howe I fear). His favourite guitarist is Martin Barre from Jethro Tull.

Robert has played in more bands than he can remember in virtually every conceivable musical style, from classical recitals, to original folk rock, to heavy metal, to dinner jazz and soul/funk standards. He also plays mandolin, harmonica, keyboards, drums, digeridoo, sings and produces music for film, jingles and anyone else who'll have it.

Robert live minus beard

Robert live in Birmingham

Played on the 1992 progressive psychedelic album 'No Frills' with the band 'Blim'. Has gigged and toured all over the UK, in Canada, Italy, Germany and Australia. Has played with ex-Soul to Soul, ex-Glitter Band (not the jailbird thankfully) and ex-Hot Chocolate members. More recently he played in Italy with ex-Jethro Tull members Glenn Cornick and Clive Bunker - this was how he met Gonzalo.

Robert has a certain tongue-in-cheek humour and attitude to life in general but is deadly serious about his music. Currently resides near West London with his wife Andrea, two cats, one dog, eight guitars and an assortment of amplifiers, effects and other paraphernalia. He also teaches and does academic research but that's another story . . .

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