Melvin Hernandez

Bass Guitar

"If you don't stop being so tall and handsome, you're out of the band"

Melvin Hernandez - Bass Guitar & Lead Vocals

George refers to Mel as "the tall handsome one!" and he fits the description well.

Mel is the showman and lead vocalist when the band opens the show. Melvin was born and brought up in New York City and he was singing for the St Francis de Sales Church choir at 8 years old. As a teenager he had considerable success in talent competitions including the prestigious Catholic Youth Organisation annual talent search. When Melvin found himself influenced by the likes of Joe Cocker, Chicago, The Temptations and Blood Sweat & Tears he decided to study guitar. After only one year of playing Melvin was snapped up by the band, Soul Intentions, as their lead vocalist and bass guitarist. Playing in world renown venues such as Carnegie Hall and New York’s Apollo Theatre, Soul Intentions performed as the opening act for bands such as Kool & the Gang, The Stylistics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Van Morrison and Jimmy Hendrix.

Mel’s musical career was interrupted by 10 years in the U.S. Army. When George and Ronnie saw him performing in a Florida bar they knew immediately that they wanted him in the band.

Melvin with "The Soul Intentions"  "He was the tall handsome one in that band too"

The Hot Rod Band