Skip to content

Blind Faith Kicks Off Legendary Career with Massive Hyde Park Gig

Blind Faith's first gig was a resounding success, introducing the world to Ric Grech's exceptional bass skills. Despite his tragic early death, Grech's impact on rock music endures.

This picture describes about group of people they are all playing guitar in front of microphone, in...
This picture describes about group of people they are all playing guitar in front of microphone, in the background we can find speaker, baggage and curtains.

Blind Faith Kicks Off Legendary Career with Massive Hyde Park Gig

Blind Faith, a British rock supergroup, kicked off their career with a massive free concert in London's Hyde Park on June 7, 1969. The event, attended by 100,000 people, marked the debut of 22-year-old bass player Ric Grech, who joined the band just in time for the gig. Grech, a prodigious talent, would later become renowned as one of the finest bass players of the late-60s rock era.

Ric Grech's journey to Blind Faith began at the age of seven when he started playing the violin. However, after being captivated by The Beatles, he switched to the guitar and eventually found his calling on the bass. Before joining Blind Faith, Grech played with several bands, including The Xciters and The Farinas, which later evolved into Family. It was from Family that Grech was poached to join Blind Faith for their inaugural performance.

The concert in Hyde Park took place two months before the release of Blind Faith's debut album. Despite the album's delay, the band's first gig was a resounding success, with Grech's exceptional skills earning him praise. Tragically, Grech's life was cut short at the age of 43 in 1989 due to kidney and liver failure, a result of his long-standing struggles with drug and alcohol abuse. Grech's legacy, however, lives on through his influential work with Blind Faith and his unparalleled contributions to the late-60s rock scene.

Ric Grech's brief but impactful career began and ended with Blind Faith. His talent, though cut short by personal struggles, left an indelible mark on the rock music landscape. The Hyde Park concert, a testament to his skill and the band's potential, remains a memorable milestone in rock history.

Read also:

Latest