The Rah Band

Richard A. Hewson, born on 17 November 1943 in Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, England, created and directed the studio project known as the RAH Band. During the late 1960s this arranger, conductor and multi-instrumentalist collaborated with James Taylor and Herbie Hancock while scoring chart successes that included the Beatles’ “The Long And Winding Road” and Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were The Days.” His reputation led to further assignments throughout the following decade with Supertramp, Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Leo Sayer, Al Stewart, Chris DeBurgh, Fleetwood Mac and Chris Rea. In 1976 Hewson began issuing his own recordings, composing, producing and performing everything under the RAH Band name. The instrumental “The Crunch,” released on Good Earth in 1977, reached the UK Top 10; three years afterward “Falcon” entered the Top 40 and inaugurated an extended run of dance successes. Vocal duties supplied by his wife Liz helped “Clouds Across The Moon” become his second Top 10 single in 1985. Across its career the project accumulated seven UK chart entries and appeared on numerous labels, among them DJM, KR, TMT, Sound, RCA, Supreme and Creole. During the 1980s Hewson also worked with Toyah and Five Star while delivering major hits for Cliff Richard and Shakin’ Stevens; he now focuses chiefly on music for British television programmes and commercials.