HERO was formed in 1994 by Bob Palmer with Sam Gargett, one of only a dozen or so working female rock drummers in the UK. Bob, bass player second singer Composer and Mad Muso! was the former bass player of "Witticombe Fair". Originally from Cheltenham, Bob moved to the north to pursue a "Business" career but the temptation of the guitar was so great that as member of the "Austin Brothers" trio the Mad Muso performed again, later the duo "Rhyme and Reason" and the band "Cushty" were also testament to the "musics in the blood" syndrome. As well as playing bass guitar and singing, Bob plays keyboards and composes many of the songs HERO performs. I wanted something that was me! and HERO fulfills that role. Sam, who has wide ranging musical tastes was also on the same trip having rehearsed with many a show and worked in bands and sessions was also looking for something new, as well as being Ace with the sticks Sam sings backing vocals and plays various brass instruments and has appeared on occasions with the well respected Cockerton Brass Band. Sam, from West Auckland also has staves in her blood and can give many a male drummer a run for his money. Lead guitarist, John "The Wookie" Rickaby is another of those "God I didn't see his fingers move"! types but at only 23 he's just warming up having been classically trained at 10. and with influences from the Sambora (Bon Jovi) and The Edge, John has played seriously with various bands through all styles of music but found his home with HERO expressing his improvising talent and recently composing. John has a penchant for gaudy guitars but adds a sometimes vital fourth vocal. Joanne Cain "Jo Jo" from Peterlee is the looker the voice and Lyricist of the band. We searched hard and long for a singer of Jo's talent auditioning many of the known North East girl singers but she definitely shone above them with the ability to sing songs with a style of her own that suits the melody. Jo formally sang with North East bands "Tell the Teacher" and "After Hours". Fronting HERO she adds both style and charisma