BITCH Drummer Robby Settles Dies Following Leukaemia Battle Aged 53
May 26th, 2010
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Robby Settles, co-founder and drummer of Californian metal group Bitch, died on May 26th, 2010 at the age of 53 following a battle with leukaemia.
Robby Settles was born on May 7th, 1957 in Texas, playing with rock ’n’ roll ensemble the Ezra Brook while in the territory. The Ezra Brook Band toured Texas and Louisiana, and supported the likes of Savoy Brown, Riot, Buddy Miles, and Steppenwolf.
A move to California occurred in November 1979. A year later in September 1980, Bitch was formed with erstwhile Bad Axe guitarist David Carruth. Betsy Weiss fronted the outfit under the moniker Betsy Bitch, having responded to a newspaper advertisement. By October 1980, the line-up was completed.
Bitch ultimately issued two full-lengths as well as two EPs through Metal Blade Records, namely Damnation Alley EP (1982), Be My Slave (1983), The Bitch Is Back (1987), and A Rose By Any Other Name EP (1989).
The Bitch name was retitled to the more tame Betsy in 1988, the group releasing a more commercial full-length under the same name. Unsuccessful, the name Bitch was re-adopted once more, with the aforementioned A Rose By Any Other Name EP arriving a year later.
Robby Settles was married to Betsy’s older sister Jane, with whom he had three girls. In 2009, Settles was diagnosed with leukaemia. Prior to his passing, Settles had reportedly tracked almost two albums worth of material for an anticipated fresh Bitch opus.
A memorial service was held on May 29th, and attended by a crowd of approximately 400. A June 12th private memorial and tribute to Settles subsequently followed, which was attended by friends of the group.
