The Bobs were an American a cappella vocal group founded in San Francisco, California, in 1981. Often described as a "band without instruments," The Bobs were known for their irreverent humor, complex vocal arrangements, original compositions, and inventive covers.
Over a 36-year career, they released 16 albums, received a Grammy nomination for their a cappella version of "Helter Skelter," and performed worldwide before retiring in 2017.
They are regarded as pioneers in the modern a cappella movement, noted for their extensive original material and genre-defying performances.
History
Formation and early career (1981–1986)
The Bobs were formed in San Francisco in 1981 by Gunnar Madsen and Matthew Stull, who had previously worked as singing telegram performers. After placing a classified ad seeking a bass vocalist, they recruited recording engineer Richard Greene. Soprano Janie Scott joined shortly thereafter, completing the classic quartet line-up.
Initially performing quirky a cappella covers of songs by Talking Heads and Marty Robbins, the group gained a local following for their inventive vocal arrangements and comedic stage presence. They released their debut album, The Bobs, in 1983 on Kaleidoscope Records. The album featured both original material and offbeat covers, including a reinterpretation of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter," which earned them a Grammy Award nomination in 1984 for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices.
The group's early success led to national touring and appearances on NPR and PBS. Their 1987 follow-up album, My, I'm Large, included a mix of studio and live tracks, further showcasing their signature style consisting of humor and satirical lyrics set to harmonically dense, instrument-free arrangements.
Between 1993 and 1997, The Bobs signed with Rounder Records and released five albums: Shut Up and Sing! (1993), Cover the Songs of... (1994), Plugged (1995), Too Many Santas! (1996), and i brow club (1997). These recordings further explored the boundaries of a cappella, with Plugged featuring vocal mimicry of electric guitars and drums, and Too Many Santas! offering satirical holiday-themed songs. The show concluded with their satirical anthem "Thank You for Singing."
- Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (multiple wins and nominations)