Garth Hudson, Chico Marx, Doctor John -
I can't think of any other influences, but here's my FANTASY BAND - the line-up I'd most like to play piano with...................................
TERRY REID (vocals)
PAUL KOSSOFF (guitar)
GARTH HUDSON (organ/keyboards/saxes)
ANDY FRASER (bass)
LEVON HELM (drums)
..........................................
And here (in no particular order) are some of the other singers, writers, musicians and composers that hit the spot for me..........
Hiromi Uehara, Terry Adams, Joni Mitchell, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, Sandy Denny, Jacqueline Du Pre, Erroll Garner, Arthur Lee, Robin Trower, Johnny Hodges, The Beatles, Dmitri Shostakovich, David Crosby, Ry Cooder, Hector Berlioz, Charles Mingus, Donald Fagen, Neil Young, The Neville Brothers, Franz Liszt, Jeff Buckley, Steve Cropper, Brian Wilson, Jean Sibelius, Benny Goodman, Otis Redding, Ludwig van Beethoven, Helen O'Hara, Bill Evans, Michel Petrucciano, Gustav Mahler, Jack Bruce, Esbjorn Svensson, Keith Moon, Richard Strauss, Benny Goodman, Pete Townsend, Kathleen Ferrier, Scott Walker, Gustavo Dudamel, James Taylor, The James Taylor Quartet, , Pekka Kuusisto, Jimi Hendrix, Mickey Jones, Sammy Davis Jnr, Joe Walsh, John Lee Hooker, Frederic Chopin, Miles Davis, Todd Rundgren, Duke Ellington, Ian Hunter, Kevin Rowland, Paul Brady
I joined my first band in 1969 and after playing hundreds of gigs in the north of England I joined MOTT THE HOOPLE in 1973 playing Hammond organ on two headlining US tours. We played many of the major concert venues and our support acts included Aerosmith, Iggy Pop, Joe Walsh, ZZ Top, The New York Dolls and Blue Oyster Cult. On our UK tour we were supported by Queen.
I joined DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS on piano in 1984 to record tracks that appeared on the Don't Stand Me Down album and I toured with them in 1985 and 1986 playing Hammond organ.
Between 1986 and 1991 I played Hammond organ and keyboards with Irish singer/songwriter PAUL BRADY, recording and touring in Europe, the USA, Ireland and the UK.
I also worked for a while with Paul McCartney's wife LINDA McCARTNEY, giving her some keyboard tuition and writing and recording tracks that appeared on her posthumous album Wide Prairie.
I also worked with a band called BALLOON, playing on their excellent 1992 album Gravity......................VISIT MY WEBSITE (www.mickbolton.com) FOR MORE INFO, STORIES, GIG LISTS AND RARE PHOTOS OF THE BANDS I'VE PLAYED WITH......................Since the early 1990s I have worked extensively as a solo pianist/singer around Europe, Scandinavia and the UK and these days I play solo gigs performing blues, boogie and my own songs.
I was a finalist in the 2008 UK SONGWRITING CONTEST - with 'ME AND MY OLD PIANO' - featured on this page. There's a live performance of another of my songs 'ROCK AND ROLL WIDOW' on my Videos page.
It's been a while Mick. And an apology for losing track in the past and a sincere thanks.
Mich it's great to hear all the news about - Mott The Hoople. Great news. Your one heck of a great key player and not only that your talented and write interesting songs. Your pick interesting titles for your songs.
The new one #1. Under the glitter ball .. I listened and liked that song. It remidns me of Elton John crossing Bill Joel. Fantastic piano of course. I think it reminds me more of a Billy Joel number. Nice lyrics. Cool song..
And congrats on your fine success in the past with the "Me and my old piano song". Ive had one too "Old Ones". I like that song. Nice chorus and melody. Great piano and the vocals sound cool too.
Slow Train Shuffle - This song is a favorite of mine. Reminds me of Elvis, Scottie Moore, Perhaps even Stray Cat Strut (That Songs) Johnny Cash and did you know Randy Bachman has a song about a train on his site here. A cool one too. Somehow I also think of Natalie Cole and the brilliant Colin James when I hear this song. Excellent emotions in the vocals. I hear some sax in the backing I did not hear the first time. Excellent. Rip it Mich. Excellent song.
May music continue to light up your life. And hey Mich! Great impressive Bio as well.
'allo Mick! You have quite a busy 'dance card' this month! Wish I could be at one of those gigs. Have some photos to send to you and Carol, Have a lovely weekend, xx Constance
Hey man, just checked out your website, Cool! Like the new tune's too. Hope things are well?, sorry I missed ya at Poorboy's last week (hope it was a goodon!). I've a new/old song mastered with Harvey (Don't Let It Slip Away), I managed to work with The Paul Weaver String Quartet, I'm really chuffed with it, hope you like it too?. Big LOVE, bro. And regards to the Mrs. See ya soon. Jon.
Hi Mick! Good to meet you and thanks for the kind words in your comment! You're looking groovy in the dinosaur photo! :o) Take it easy and I'll look forward to seeing you again soon...
Hi Mick, thanks for accepting my friend request & THANKS for including me in your top friends, I thought your music was great! I really enjoyed listening, its never too late to promote your music, music never dies!! please stay in touch and I will certainly be revisiting your page, please feel free to revisit mine, have a great week!
Mick, I picked up on that Aragon Ballroom reference right away! :D We called it 'The Scare-agon', because parking one's car in that neighborhood was always 'iffy'. Once inside though, it was one of my FAVE places to be! I always loved the sound of the P.A. system booming through the big hall as one walked in, it got the blood racing!
Thank you for my Hott Mott honorary membership! That means a lott!
Yes, I really enjoy that song and the tale it tells, lol. I'm from Chicago, not from New York, but I will still be following the 'Motts' to three shows in the UK! That's gotta count towards honorary membership, yes? :D Have a great week!
