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(1945-09-02)September 2, 1945[2] Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died
January 1, 2020(2020-01-01) (aged 74)
Genres
Rock
Instrument(s)
Guitar
keyboards
saxophone
organ
piano
percussion
horn
Years active
1965–2019
Musical artist
Martin Joseph Grebb[1] (September 2, 1945 – January 1, 2020) was an American keyboardist, guitarist, and saxophonist. A member of The Buckinghams in the late 1960s, Grebb was also a record producer and an arranger, who worked with musicians including Peter Cetera, Bill Payne, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Etta James, and Leon Russell.[3]
Early life[edit]
Marty Grebb was born and raised in Chicago. He began studying music after his eighth birthday. His early interest in music can be attributed to his father, Harry, who was a saxophonist and played in the big-band era, both on the road and in the clubs of Chicago. However, Marty chose piano as his first instrument, turning to saxophone only two years later.[4]
Career[edit]
The Buckinghams in 1968. Left to right: Dennis Tufano, Marty Grebb, John Poulos, Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna.
In 1966, a local band, The Buckinghams, required the services of a keyboardist, and Marty Grebb was asked to team up with them. Around this time, the band members were introduced to James William Guercio, a former bassist and road manager for Chad & Jeremy who found them a management contract with Ebbins-Guercio Associates. The band went on to have three (Billboard) and five (Cashbox) top-ten national selling singles and three top twenty albums with Marty Grebb for Columbia Records.[4]
After the Buckinghams, Grebb toured with a number of artists,[5] including Leon Russell, Elton John, Muddy Waters, and most notably Bonnie Raitt[6] as a member of her band for 25 years. He was also a touring member of Chicago in 1980 and 1981.
Later, Grebb was a member of The Weight Band, featuring former members and collaborators of The Band. Grebb contributed to The Band's Jericho and Jubilation albums. In July 2017, PBS's Infinity Hall Live program aired a televised performance by The Weight Band, featuring new music by the band.[7]