Editing Bob Welch

{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Bob Welch
| image               = 
| caption             = 
| birth_name          = Robert Lawrence Welch Jr.
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1945|8|31}}
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|2012|6|7|1945|8|31}}
| occupation          = Musician, songwriter
| genre               = [[Rock]], [[pop rock]], [[blues rock]]
| instrument          = Guitar, vocals
| years_active        = 1964–2012
| associated_acts     = [[Fleetwood Mac]], Paris
}}

== Biography ==
'''Robert Lawrence Welch Jr.''' (August 31, 1945 – June 7, 2012) was an American musician who served as a guitarist and vocalist for '''[[Fleetwood Mac]]''' from 1971 to 1974. He is credited with helping the band survive a period of significant transition and legal turmoil, steering their sound toward a more melodic, atmospheric rock style that set the stage for their mid-70s superstardom.

== Career ==

=== Fleetwood Mac era ===
Welch was recruited in 1971 to replace founding member Jeremy Spencer. During his tenure, he appeared on five studio albums:
* '''''Future Games''''' (1971)
* '''''Bare Trees''''' (1972)
* '''''Penguin''''' (1973)
* '''''Mystery to Me''''' (1973) – Featuring his signature song, "Hypnotized."
* '''''Heroes Are Hard to Find''''' (1974)

=== Solo success ===
After leaving Fleetwood Mac in 1974, Welch briefly formed the power trio '''Paris''' before launching a solo career. His 1977 debut solo album, '''''French Kiss''''', became a massive commercial success, peaking at #15 on the Billboard 200 and eventually being certified Platinum. It featured the hit singles "Sentimental Lady" (#8) and "Ebony Eyes" (#14).

== Discography ==

=== Solo Albums ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Year !! Album !! US Chart Peak !! Certification
|-
| 1977 || ''French Kiss'' || 15 || Platinum
|-
| 1979 || ''Three Hearts'' || 20 || Gold
|-
| 1979 || ''The Other One'' || 105 || —
|-
| 1980 || ''Man Overboard'' || 162 || —
|-
| 1981 || ''Bob Welch'' || 201 || —
|-
| 1983 || ''Eye Contact'' || — || —
|}

=== Solo Singles ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Year !! Title !! US Hot 100 Peak
|-
| 1977 || "Sentimental Lady" || 8
|-
| 1978 || "Ebony Eyes" || 14
|-
| 1978 || "Hot Love, Cold World" || 31
|-
| 1979 || "Precious Love" || 19
|-
| 1979 || "Church" || 73
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Fleetwood Mac members]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]