Bob Jezewski (born May 21, 1951, passed away November 21, 1999), was an American musician and songwriter, a member of Milwaukee, Wisconsin's seminal rock band The Merrymakers (later renamed The Makers) and later co-leader of Bob & The Crowd. Jezewski was described by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel music critic Jon M. Gilbertson as "the godfather of Milwaukee rock."
His obituary reported that at age 12 he was inspired to form a rock band when he saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, after which he got a Silvertone guitar for Christmas. He formed his first band, The Messengers, in high school, then led The Merrymakers between 1965 and 1971. Jezewski moved to California by 1972, where he lived the remainder of his life, founding The Makers a year later. He briefly reformed The Merrymakers for their induction into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Hall of Fame in 1994, following which they toured.
Jezewski released an album, "Life Is Short", under the name Bob & the Crowd in 1999, shortly before his death. Jezewski, aged 48, died of a heart attack while performing with his band in Santa Rosa, California. He is survived by his long-time partner, his two children, his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Bob Jezewski's music, with its blend of pop, rock, folk and blues influences, continues to be played and loved by fans around the world.