Robert Stoddard (musician)

Robert Stoddard
Born Los Angeles, California
Genres Rock, hard rock, glam rock, power pop
Instruments Guitar
Years active 1978 - 1990s
Labels Elektra
Blitzen
Flicknife
Associated acts Robert Stoddard Band
The Dogs D'Amour
On The Wire
L.A. Guns
Website www.myspace.com/boogabug

Robert Stoddard played in the L.A. rock scene starting in the late 70's and early 80's with The Robert Stoddard Band and released two singles. The band signed to Elektra Records and released the "L.A.P.D." single in 1980 which blasted the Los Angeles Police Department for being "out of control". The second single was a cover of the Lou Reed song "Sweet Jane" and was released by Blitzen Records in 1982. The band played many L.A. clubs including The Whiskey A Go Go, The Starwood, and Madame Wongs.

After the Robert Stoddard Band dissolved, Robert moved from L.A. to London in 1982. Robert was then recruited into the original lineup of the UK rock band The Dogs D'Amour[1] as the band's lead vocalist. It was Stoddard that came up with the band's name and he cowrote many of the band's early songs with Tyla. Some of the other earliest Dogs D'Amour songs were actually songs written and recorded in 1981 and 1982 by Tyla and Rook Randles' previous band Kitsch. During his stint in the Dogs D'Amour, Robert Stoddard assumed the stage name of "Ned Christie" after the 19th Century Cherokee Indian of the same name who was falsely branded an outlaw.

With Ned as lead singer, the Dogs D'Amour played around 50 shows and recorded many songs throughout 1983. Two separate recording sessions were recorded during this era of the band. On the strength of the 2nd session, the Dogs D'Amour were contracted to Kumibeat Records out of Finland. But shortly before the band were scheduled to record their debut album, Ned quit the band in late 1983 over musical differences with guitarist Tyla. Another reason for the split was that Ned had recently started up another band with Bam called On The Wire named after a song by Kitsch. Original band titles were "Ned Christie and The Heat" and "Viva". On The Wire had prior recording commitments scheduled around the same time that the Dogs D'Amour were to record the debut album. Tyla took over on lead vocals for the departed Ned Christie and recorded the band's debut album "The State We're In" in early 1984.

Ned and Bam (who had left the Dogs D'Amour around the same time as Ned) continued with On The Wire in 1984 and enlisted Gerry Kelsey on keyboards and Swiss bass player Mark Drax. On The Wire recorded 10 songs that remain unreleased.

Robert Stoddard (using his real name) joined L.A. Guns in the fall of 1985 as a guitarist and backing vocalist. The band with Stoddard in the lineup played many Hollywood shows and recorded demos throughout 1985 - 1986. Robert wrote or co-wrote six of the songs including a new version of his own "L.A.P.D.". Robert left L.A. Guns due to musical differences in late 1986.

Robert recorded a solo album in 1987 entitled "Grapevine" that remained unreleased. He continued to write and record music privately and contributed to various projects after the album release but dropped from sight since the early 90's.

Discography

Robert Stoddard Band - "LAPD" 7" / 12" Single (Elektra Records, 1980)

Songs:

Personnel:

Robert Stoddard Band - "Sweet Jane" 7" Single (Blitzen Records, 1982) (Produced and recorded by Steve Catania)

Songs:

Personnel:

Additional ROBERT STODDARD BAND Songs:

Dogs D'Amour - "Blame It On Us" 7" EP (Empty Bottles, 1992, 250 Copies, Bootleg)

(Songs taken from the 1st ever Dogs D'Amour recording session in 1983. "Teenage" also appeared on the "Trash On Delivery" LP compilation. (Flicknife Records, 1983)

Songs:

Personnel:

Early versions of "Teenage" (original title -"Teenager Of The Week"), "Fool Like Me", and "Secret Girlfriend" (original title - "Weird Girlfriend") were written and recorded by Tyla and Rook Randles' previous band Kitsch in 1981 and 1982.

Dogs D'Amour - 2nd Dogs D'Amour Recording Session

(The actual number of songs and song titles recorded at this session are unknown at this time but recording is most likely early demos of songs that appeared on the debut album "The State We're In" 1984.)

Songs:

Personnel:

On The Wire - 10 Song Demo (1984)

Songs:

Personnel:

L.A. Guns - Black List (2005) (Official release of 1985-1987 demos)

Songs:

Personnel:

ROBERT STODDARD - "Grapevine" Album Tape (Unreleased, 1987)

Songs:

Personnel:

Live Personnel:

RIC BROWDE - "While I'm Dead...Feed the Dog" (1997) CD / Book

(appears on guitar and backing vocals on "Dick")

References

  1. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The encyclopedia of popular music: Indexes. Oxford University Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
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