Robert Crenshaw

Robert Crenshaw is an American drummer, recording artist, author, and robotics instructor/trainer. He is known primarily for his solo recordings and his years in his brother Marshall Crenshaw's band.

Robert Crenshaw
BornDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresRock
Occupation(s)Musician, robotics instructor, Author
InstrumentsDrums, backing vocals
Years active1981–present
Associated actsMarshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon

Biography

Early years

Crenshaw grew up outside of Detroit in Berkley, Michigan. His parents and three brothers (Marshall, Mitchell, and John) were musically inclined. He was gifted his first drums at age 9, a red Trixon set. Crenshaw’s first band Rasputin included younger brothers of members of Marshall’s band Astigafa. In his teens he was drummer for Denny and the Robots, an oldies band. In 1976, Crenshaw and his lifelong friend Stewart Simon studied recording engineering at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City.[1]

Marshall Crenshaw Band

After Marshall Crenshaw finished his involvement in Beatlemania, he recruited Robert as drummer for his new band, along with bassist Chris Donato. Marshall signed with Warner Brothers in 1981, and the trio recorded the album Marshall Crenshaw.[2]

Robert also drummed on Marshall's follow-up album Field Day in 1983, but only appeared on two tracks on Downtown.[3] He was back on drums for 1987’s Mary Jean & 9 Others, along with Graham Maby on bass.[4]

Recordings

On Crenshaw's first three albums: Full-Length Stereo Recordings, Victory Songs and Dog Days, Crenshaw recruited Dixon, Marti Jones, and Jamie Hoover, among others. For 2014's Friends, Family, and Neighbors, Crenshaw was assisted by his brother John, a sound mixer, producer Don Dixon, bassist Maby, and engineer Stewart Simon.[1]

Cinema

In 1986, Robert and Marshall Crenshaw played members of the reunion band at the beginning of the film Peggy Sue Got Married.[5]

Memoir

In June of 2019, Crenshaw published his memoir, “My Mythological Narrative A Rock Odyssey.” The book chronicles Crenshaw’s life and experiences including growing up in Berkley, Michigan, playing drums for brother, Marshall’s band, and interactions with musicians such as Tina Turner, Joe Jackson, and Hall and Oates.[6]

Personal life

Besides performing music whenever possible, Crenshaw is a curriculum writer and robotics instructor in the automation industry. He also wrote a mechatronics curriculum.[1]

Discography

Solo recordings
  • 1999: Full-Length Stereo Recordings (Gadfly)[7]
  • 2000: Victory Songs (Gadfly)[8][9]
  • 2003: Dog Dreams (Gadfly)[10]
  • 2014: Friends, Family, and Neighbors (self-released)[11]

EPs
  • 2012: Atheist Christmas (self-released)

With Marshall Crenshaw

Also appears on

References
  1. Karras, Steve (October 6, 2014). "Robert Crenshaw's Friends, Family and Neighbors: Detroit Rocker on Roots and Working With Talented Loved Ones". HuffPost. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  2. Borack, John M. (2007). Shake Some Action - The Ultimate Guide To Power Pop (1 ed.). Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  3. Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2001). All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music (1 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  4. Kot, Greg (April 21, 1991). "One Tough Critic: Crenshaw Reviews Crenshaw". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  5. Catalano, Jim (1995). "Interview: Marshall Crenshaw". steamiron.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  6. Twitter, Gary Graff ggraff@medianewsgroup com; @GraffonMusic on. "Robert Crenshaw book details truths, and myths, about his "Rock Odyssey"". The Oakland Press.
  7. "Robert Crenshaw: Full Length Stereo Recordings". gadflyrecords.com. Gadfly Records. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  8. "CD Reviews". MWE3.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  9. Heyward, Wayne (August 14, 2000). "Robert Crenshaw: Victory Songs". PopMatters. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  10. "Robert Crenshaw: "Dog Dreams" (Gadfly 285)". gadflyrecords.com. Gadfly Records. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  11. Borack, John M. (December 30, 2014). "Album Reviews". Goldmine. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
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