Billy started playing the guitar in the early sixties when they were all made of wood and mostly the same colour.
He formed a ‘beat group’ with some pals at the local youth club and played local clubs and pubs till the sad arrival of full time employment forced their demise.
He then joined with former beat group pals to form a ‘folk group’ during the great ‘folk scare’ of the late sixties and early seventies. The Callies showed the good people of Newcastle what they thought folk music should sound like. They recorded one album, went to London, didn’t like it... then came home.
After a spell in Vancouver, Canada, Billy was invited to return to England to join Jack the Lad with members of the recently split Lindisfarne. Then followed four albums and four years touring the UK and Europe, playing every venue known to man and some that weren’t…
At the end of the seventies he joined with Peter McIntyre to form the hilarious Maxie & Mitch who have spent the last twenty four years playing music in a very funny way to people all over the world who fancied a laugh…
1996 saw Billy join Newcastles’ favourite sons Lindisfarne who enjoyed critical acclaim for their live concerts in the UK and the USA, and their subsequently-released albums of new songs Here Comes the Neighbourhood and Promenade.
Since Lindisfarne's retirement in 2003, Billy has embarked on a very successful solo career with his Backtrackin' show and CD, and in 2005 he recorded The Devil's Ground album, which received critical acclaim and extensive radio play.
In 2006, he celebrated his 60th birthday by forming the first ever Billy Mitchell Band, who played an emotional ‘sell out’ concert at The Sage, Gateshead.
Billy has recently dipped back into his ‘folk roots’ by collaborating with Bob Fox on two UK tours and a highly acclaimed ‘live’ album Five-star B&B.
Always enjoyed your music and live performances from way back in the '70s. What a great selection of songs on your page; I especially like Devil's Ground, Where My Heart Lives and Born at the Right Time ... well actually, I like 'em all!
I noticed on your website you're playing at Letwell Village Hall in September. We played there a few weeks ago - they're a really fantastic audience - have a great night!
Hi Billy bach! Just been to see Show Of Hands recently at Pontardawe, the next night they played Ebbw Vale.E.V are hopeless as plugging the gigs there (as you'll already know).Get yourself back to Wales buddy, and make sure you use Radio Wales to promote your gigs.I did email them to ask them to mention the S.O.H gig, don't know if they did though.Our local paper (South Wales Evening Post) did a nice feature on S.O.H and on the night of the Pontardawe gig they did a 'Recommended Night Out' piece for them too.They sold a lot more tickets as a result.80 tickets sold last time they came here about 2 years ago, 270 this time! Hope to see you soon and that your in good health.
