Robert Marlowe
Rob showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons
at the age of seven, learning the trumpet at the age of ten, and guitar at twelve.
Initially exposed to blues guitarists (Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Roy Buchanan), and hearing the use of harmonies in pop music (Beatles, the Who) he began to appreciate the more "artsy" bands (ELP, Moody Blues, Yes and Queen).
In high school, Rob was exposed to a lot more of the contemporary rockers
(Ted Nugent, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen) but fortunately Rob's brother and his friends turned him on to jazz fusion.
He joined the high school jazz band as the guitarist, and public performances were routine. Unable to find other musicians interested in playing instrumental music, he drifted from Heavy Metal to Punk to Top-40 to Blues, over the next few years. Not entirely interested in playing in cover bands, the guitar eventually moved to the back burner.
In Baltimore the guitar obsession took hold again, and influenced by Jimmy Page and Leo Kottke among others, Rob began to write more on the acoustic guitar. After moving to North Carolina and unwilling to live in garage band obscurity, (and after a few failed attempts) Rob formed the three piece instrumental Mr. Hyde.
Rob had met Mike Logiovino during the recording of an acoustic set, through a mutual friend Mike Nash (Houndsounds); and when the original Mr. Hyde bassist left, Mike was the only bass player even considered. With the recent addition of John Sutton, Mr. Hyde's repertoire now incorporates most of Rob's past musical exposures and influences from Progressive Rock, Jazz, & Blues to Acoustic and Classical.
Rob's current favorites include Jeff Beck, Mike Stern, Danny Gatton, Keith Richards, Mark Whitfield & Jimmy Herring.
Equipment
Guitars:
Paul Reed Smith Custom 24, Charvel Strat (highly modified), Sigma/Martin Acoustic (slightly modified), Taylor Acoustic, Fender Stratocaster, Gretsch 6120, Takamine Classical
Amps:
Marshall JCM800 Head, Mesa Boogie Mark IV Combo, Mesa Boogie 4x12 "Boogie" Cabinet
