Robyn Hitchcock

With a sound that mutated the influences of Syd Barrett and Bob Dylan through a post-punk filter, Robyn Hitchcock made the spirit of the '60s relevant for a new generation. Hitchcock was born in London, England, the son of novelist Raymond Hitchcock. In 1976 he became the frontman for The Soft Boys, whose blend of psychedelic flavors and punky edge had its big coming-out party on 1979's A Can of Bees. After the band's cult classic 1980 album Underwater Moonlight, Hitchcock struck out on his own, even though the rest of the band all played on his 1981 solo debut, Black Snake Diamond Role, which pretty much picked up where The Soft Boys left off. After 1982's Groovy Decay and the 1984 acoustic-based I Often Dream of Trains, Hitchcock inaugurated his official backup band The Egyptians, which included The Soft Boys' rhythm section, on 1985's Fegmania. 1988's was Hitchcock's first release for A&M Records, and his introduction to major label status brought an increased level of renown, at least on the U.S. college-rock circuit. After four albums with The Egyptians, Hitchcock shifted to a solo acoustic format for 1990's exceptional Eye, though he'd soon bring the band back into the picture. Hitchcock made a couple of albums sans Egyptians in the '90s for Warner Bros, but by that point it was clear that his quirky style would never fly in the mainstream. He remained in the indie realm thereafter, mostly recording for the Yep Roc label. On 2006's Ole! Tarantula, Hitchcock introduced his new backing band, The Venus 3, including R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, The Young Fresh Fellows' Scott McCaughey, and Ministry/R.E.M. drummer Bill Rieflin, with whom he would cut a trio of records. In 2017, the year he turned 64, Hitchcock released his first self-titled album, a rocked-up return to the psychedelic sound of the Soft Boys.