Bob Mothersbaugh
Robert Leroy "Bob" Mothersbaugh, Jr., (; born August 11, 1952), or "Bob 1", is the lead guitarist and occasional vocalist for Devo and part of the music production company Mutato Muzika. He is the younger brother of lead vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh.
Early years
Robert Leroy Mothersbaugh Jr. was born in Akron, Ohio, to parents Mary Margaret ("Mig") and Robert Mothersbaugh, Sr. In high school, he played in the cover band Jitters with his brother Jim Mothersbaugh and Greg Brosch on guitar and Greg Kaiser on bass. He was still in high school when protesters at Kent State University were shot by police. This event had a heavy influence on the band Devo.
Devo
In the late 1960s, Kent State University art students Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis created a series of satirical art pieces in a devolution vein. They met keyboardist Mark Mothersbaugh around 1970. Their satire about de-evolution became serious after the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970.
The "Sextet Devo" lineup performed at the 1973 Kent State performing arts festival. It included Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Casale on guitar, and friends Rod Reisman and Fred Weber on drums and vocals. The band continued to perform, generally as a quartet, but with a fluid lineup including Mark's brothers Bob and Jim Mothersbaugh. The classic line-up included two sets of brothers, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Gerald and Bob Casale, along with Alan Myers. The band is best known for their No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It".
