Brian Kehew's Backstage Blog

More about Bobby Pridden

Yesterday, we’d put up some history and photos with Bob Pridden, possibly the longest career with any band, and certainly with The Who. I’d been trolling to find some great photos of Bob (there are more out there) but we’d been offered an amazing set of largely-unseen photos of Bob on tour.

Bob Pridden

These photos come from another longtime suffering compatriot; William Snyder. A familiar face on many Who tours, William shoots various Who shows around the world, and nearly all our modern photos (posters, publicity, tour programmes) come from his lenses. William has plans for his extensive (thousands!) of Who photos in the coming years, watch for them.

Onstage Sound Engineer Bob Pridden chats with The Who's Pete Townshend during a sound check at Wells Fargo Center, Des Moines, IA.

Bob Pridden in discussion with Pete Townshend during sound check at Wells Fargo Center, Des Moines, IA.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden and singer Roger Daltrey chat on their private jet on the way to Florida during the 2006 tour.

Bob and Roger Daltrey chat on their private jet on the way to Florida during the 2006 tour.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden works his magic during a sound check at the Hollywood Bowl on July 15, 2000.

Bob works his magic during a sound check at the Hollywood Bowl on July 15, 2000.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden and drummer Zak Starkey head to their cars after exiting their plane in Denver, CO.

Bob Pridden and Zak Starkey head to their cars after exiting their plane in Denver, CO.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden works his magic at the mixing board during a sound check at the Hollywood Bowl on November 5, 2006.

Bobby works his magic at the mixing board during a sound check at the Hollywood Bowl on November 5, 2006.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden adjusts Roger Daltrey's inner ear monitors during The Who's performance at Indian Wells Tennis Stadium, Palm Springs, CA, on November 11, 2006.

Bob adjusts Roger’s inner ear monitors during The Who’s performance at Indian Wells Tennis Stadium, Palm Springs, CA, on November 11, 2006.

Onstage Sound Engineer Bob Pridden adjusts the sound during The Who's performance at the Toyota Center, Houston, TX, US

Bob adjusts the sound during The Who’s performance at the Toyota Center, Houston, TX, US

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden enjoys some time alone following The Who's second show at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 20, 2006.

Bobby Pridden enjoys some time alone following The Who’s second show at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 20, 2006.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden talks with (l-r) Rachel Fuller, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey while waiting for their plane during the 2006 tour.

Bob with Rachel Fuller, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey while waiting for their plane during the 2006 tour.

He has an eye for capturing the unusual, especially these “behind the scenes” moments that show personality and the life situations the audience rarely gets to see. You’ll note Bob’s great smile and perseverance here; he’s been through a lot, seen it all, and still loves to laugh about it.

The Who's lighting director Tom Kenney (left) and onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden share a laugh while waiting for the ride to the airport in West Palm Beach, Fl during the 2006 tour.

The Who’s lighting director Tom Kenney (left) and Bob Pridden share a laugh while waiting for the ride to the airport in West Palm Beach, Fl during the 2006 tour.

Pete Townshend guitar tech Alan Rogan chats with onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden prior to The Who and Elvis Costello and the Imposters performing at Madison Square Garden Theatre for Teen Cancer America.

Guitar tech Alan Rogan chats with Bob prior to The Who and Elvis Costello and the Imposters performing at Madison Square Garden Theatre for Teen Cancer America.

Onstage Sound Engineer Bob Pridden chats with Genesis drummer Phil Collins (middle) and another friend in the hallway backstage at Madison Square Garden following The Who's show.

Bob with Genesis drummer Phil Collins (middle) in the hallway backstage at Madison Square Garden following The Who’s show.

The Who's Zak Starkey (left) and onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden on the private jet on the way to Dallas, TX during the 2006 tour.

Zak Starkey and Bob on the private jet on the way to Dallas, TX during the 2006 tour.

Bob Pridden goes over the set list with Jimmy Fallon at Joe's Pub prior to the start of an In The Attic session.

Bob goes over the set list with Jimmy Fallon at Joe’s Pub prior to the start of an In The Attic session.

Bob Pridden (rt) and Miami Steve Van Zandt chat in the hallway backstage of Madison Square Garden following The Who's performance.

Bob and Miami Steve Van Zandt chat in the hallway backstage of Madison Square Garden following The Who’s performance.

So here’s to Bobby once again, we look forward to him joining us at some future date closer to home.

Onstage Sound Engineer Bob Pridden relaxes a little during The Who's performance in Woodlands Pavilion, Woodlands, TX.

Bob relaxes during The Who’s performance in Woodlands Pavilion, Woodlands, TX.

The Who's onstage sound engineer Bob Pridden listens to the onstage sound during a sound check at the Wells Fargo Center, Des Moines, IA, on Sept. 26, 2006.

Bob listens to the onstage sound during a sound check at the Wells Fargo Center, Des Moines, IA, on Sept. 26, 2006.

All photos © William Snyder/Trinifold

Onward . . .

2 thoughts on “More about Bobby Pridden”

  1. Chris Gilbert says:

    Hi Bob
    If you get to see this it would be great.
    Its Chris Gilbert here from those old days at Shure when we used to service and repair your mics.
    I remember we had many a happy time particularly in the pub over the road at Blackfriars Road.
    I’ve not seen you over 30 years as I left Shure and handed over to Denis Harburn.
    It looks like we are the same age and now both retired. I hope you are well

    With good wishes
    Chris

  2. Mark Dupré says:

    Mr.Pridden, Having never seen The Who live, but very much a follower of John Entwhistle’s “Bass in Your Face” style (I’ve been a Bassist for 45 years), what was it like to see (& hear) Thunderfingers from the live desk?

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