Terry Hanck

Life and career

Hanck was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He took up playing the saxophone shortly before his 21st birthday. In 1967, Hanck relocated on a permanent basis to Orange County, California. He moved again in 1969 to San Francisco, before starting his own band, the Grayson Street Houserockers, the following year. The outfit briefly included the guitarist Luther Tucker. Hanck's music was inspired by the work in the 1950s of Fats Domino, Ray Charles, B. B. King, Lee Allen and King Curtis. He saw both King and Charles in concert in the early 1960s. However his band's music did not reach a large audience, although one who did see them perform was Elvin Bishop who asked Hanck to join his band. Hanck played on Bishop's album, Struttin' My Stuff (1975), which included the hit single, "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." In 1977, Hanck finally joined Bishop's band at the third time of asking. He remained until 1987 when he left to form his own outfit, although the two reunited on Bishop's 2011 live album, Raising Hell Revue. Previously Hanck had re-joined his friend on the 2010 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, and subsequent live album release.

In 1998, Terry Hanck & The Soulrockers performed at the Notodden Blues Festival. In 2001, at the age of 21, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen moved to the United States and joined Hanck's band, and became a figure on the West Coast blues scene. In 2002, Hanck released his solo album, I Keep On Holdin' On. AllMusic noted of Hanck's 2005 album, Night Train, that he "is a competent journeyman set of old school-style R&B, mixing covers with Terry Hanck originals. The covers give a good sense of where Hanck is coming from, as he selects songs from the catalogs of Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Hank Ballard, and Little Willie John. He plays good smoky saxophone in the spirit of Junior Walker".

Andersen has appeared on, and co-produced all Hanck's releases, since I Keep On Holdin' On. However, in 2004, Johnny “Cat” Soubrand replaced Andersen in Hanck's backing ensemble. In 2008, Always, showcased Hanck's humor when it included his self-penned track entitled, "Deep Fried Twinkies." In 2011, Look Out! was Hanck's first outing on the Delta Groove Productions label.

His recent album, Gotta Bring It On Home to You (2014), included contributions from guitarists Kid Andersen and Debbie Davies. It incorporated an equal mixture of Hanck's own compositions and cover versions of others' work. The covers included one of Elvin Bishop's songs, "Right Now Is the Hour." Hanck has produced (or co-produced) all of his albums.

Hanck's saxophone or arrangement work has appeared on various albums by JP Soars (Full Moon Night In Memphis), Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (One Wrong Turn), R.C. Finnigan (Heart Body and Soul), Mickey Thomas (As Long As You Love Me), Little Smokey Smothers (Chicago Blues Buddies), Jackie Payne (Partners in the Blues), Alice Stuart ( Crazy with the Blues), Steve Freund ("C" for Chicago), Amos Garrett (I Make My Home in My Shoes), Tracy Nelson (Ebony and Irony), and several Elvin Bishop recordings, amongst others.

Band