Born in Chiswick, a suburb of London, Robert Lane-Smith started piano lessons at age five and studied classical music throughout school and college. Childhood exposure to the records of Nat King Cole, Hoagy, Fats and Sinatra and the theatre in London resulted in a life-long liking for jazz and musical theatre.

Creation of the Cockney character "London Bobby" in his bright pearly suit was a marketing success that resulted in plum bookings, a TV series, a Gold Record and the opportunity to entertain Prince Charles at Expo '86. Interpretations of British music hall songs and comedy produced a unique, bright and humorous act. The Cockney alter ego of Robert Lane-Smith has a ball being London Bobby.

After a season at Butlin's Holiday Resort in England, Robert Lane-Smith coined the name "The Barmaid's Arms" for a neighbourhood pub in Toronto, Canada and, as London Bobby, headlined there for two years. Canada welcomed London Bobby with open arms. There followed a sixteen episode TV series, At The Pub, for CITY-TV and appearances on CTV and CBC-TV and concerts at pubs and clubs across Canada.

The first record album Booze, Birds and Ballads was recorded live at the Barmaid's Arms and 1000 copies were made. It sold out and is now a collector's item. It was augmented and reissued under the title At The Pub and sold 20,000 copies in Canada. The third album Pub Party with a full band and additional singers sold 30,000 in Canada. In Australia it was marketed on TV and sold 100,000 copies, earning a Gold Record.

In Edmonton, Alberta, Churchill's was looking for an entertainer for Klondike Days. London Bobby was the choice every July for 15 years. When Churchill's opened in Waikiki, London Bobby was the headline act there for three years.

The success of the London Bobby character put everything else on the back burner for a while. However Robert's predilection for jazz and Broadway ensured that he continued to build that repertoire and currently Robert Lane-Smith is seen on cruise ships with this laid-back act, seated at the piano, singing songs and telling stories from Broadway. Between cruise contracts London Bobby still pops up at conventions in Victoria and Toronto.

As London Bobby, Robert Lane-Smith has headlined:

• Churchill's Inn, Waikiki,
• the British Pavilion at Expo '86, Vancouver
• the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club, Hong Kong
• the Pig & Whistle Dinner Show, Victoria, B.C.
• the Tropic Bar on the ss Rotterdam, flagship of the Holland America line

London Bobby on TV:

• No Dishes Tonight, CBC
• Pig & Whistle, CTV
• At The Pub, CITY-TV

Record Albums:

• Booze, Birds and Ballads
• At The Pub
• Pub Party (Gold Record)
• Streets of London
• Hawaii Live, Oh
• Laughter in Paradise
• Last Night at the Pubs
• Live at Expo'86
• Wine and Roses (piano solos)