Mike Deasy has played guitar with the following artists:
Aki Aleong
Andrae Crouch & the Diciples
Andy Williams
The Association
Barbra Striesand
Barry McGuire
The Beach Boys
Bill Cosby
Billy Joel
Bo Diddley
Bobbie Gentry
Bobby Darin
Bobby Sherman
Brian Wilson
Bruce Johnston
The Byrds
Cannonball Adderley
Carol Kaye
Ceyleib People
Cher
Chris Hillman
Clarence White
The Coasters
Country Joe McDonald
Curt Boettcher
Crow
Dale Evans & Roy Rogers
David Clayton-Thomas
Dean Martin
Diana Ross
Dick Dale & The Del-Tones
Duane Eddy
Eddie Cochran
Ella Fitzgerald
Elvis Presley
The Everly Brothers
Fats Domino
The First Edition
The 5th Dimension
Flower Pot
Flying Burrito Bros.
Frank Sinatra
Frank Zappa
Frankie Valli
Friar Tuck
Gary Lewis
Gary S. Paxton
Gator Creek
Gentle Soul
George Harrison
Glen Campbell
The Grass Roots
Hal Blaine
Harry Nilsson
Henske & Yester
Herb Alpert
Hoyt Axton
Jackie De Shannon
Jackie Gleason
The Jackson 5
James Burton
Jan & Dean
Janny Grein
Jerry Scheff
Jerry Yester
Jim Gordon
Jim Horn
Joe Cocker
Joe Osborn
John Stewart
Johnny Cash
Johnny Rivers
Keith Green
The Kelly Four
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rankin
Kim Carnes
Larry Knetchel
Larry Norman
Laura Nyro
The Lennon Sisters
Leon Russell
Lincoln Mayorga
Little Richard
Mama Cass Elliot
The Mamas and The Papas
Mark Spoelstra
Mason Williams
Mel Torme
Michael Jackson
Michael Omartian
The Monkees
Nancy Sinatra
Neil Diamond
Otis Redding
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Peggy Lipton
Petula Clark
Phil Driscoll
Phil Spector
Randy Newman
Ray Charles
Richard Harris
Richie Valens
Ricky Nelson
Roger McGuinn
Roger Williams
Ron Tutt
Ry Cooder
Sabicus
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sandy Nelson
Scott McKenzie
Second Chapter of Acts
Simon & Garfunkel
Skip Battin
Smokestack Lightin'
The Smothers Brothers
Sonny & Cher
Spanky & Our Gang
Stan Kenton
Terry Melcher
Tijuana Brass
Tim Hardin
Tiny Tim
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Tommy Roe
Tommy Tedesco
Townes Van Zandt
The Turtles
Van Dyke Parks
The Ventures
Your Gang
Mike Deasy was born in the Los Angeles area just at the right time. He grew up as the southern California area started it's boom and was in his teens when he got called upon to use his extreme talent on guitar for the rising stars of the day who were creating a new genre of music: rock and roll.
He was there in the beginning, backing up notables such as Ricky Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy, Eddie Cochran and Richie Valens. As the 50s melted into the 60s, Mike was drafted into the exploding music studio scene, where he became a first call guitarist to the stars. These musical legends included Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Simon and Garfunkel, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, The Turtles, The Association, The Mamas & The Papas, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and hundreds more.
But as was the case with too many, fame brought fortune, and money lead to excesses, including drug abuse. Deasy came close to death several times and in his search for help and an answer, found himself going forward when the invitation was given at the 1969 Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles. Though the road was not easy the next few years, he found himself yet again at the forefront of another musical revolution.
During this "Jesus Movement" that was setting the Christian world on fire, those converted now desired music to listen to that reflected their newly discovered spirituality. Most of these new Christians were young and accustomed to listening to the pop and rock artists of the day. So almost overnight, a new genre of music was birthed, with Deasy once again right at it's inception. Originally referred to as Jesus Music, and later industrialized as Contemporary Christian Music, this style of Gospel music took off immediately among the righteous youth and the search for singers and players was on, resulting in such early CCM pioneers as 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McGuire, Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, Keith Green, Larry Norman, Janny Grein, Scott Wesley Brown and Phil Driscoll, all of whom Mike recorded with and sometimes toured.
Since then, Mike Deasy has played guitar and sang on, written songs for and produced many Christian albums. He's toured around the world many times with his message of hope, and today, is a pastor of The Rock Church S.E., in Port Arthur, Texas, where he's still using music to touch the hearts and minds of people like he always has, one at a time.
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Mike Deasy backed up Elvis on the 68 Comeback Special
Mike Deasy played guitar on "A - B - C" for The Jackson 5
Mike Deasy played one of the guitars on "Mary Mary"
Mike Deasy played on "Hungry"
Mike Deasy played on the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations
Hope your doing well. We are trying to get the word out about the cross movie which will be in theaters March 27, 2009. Please watch the trailer, if you like what you see, add Arthur as a friend, visit the official website (below) for embed / promotional codes.
mike, here is my best pose with the sitar before sending it to MHOF. i tried to get the goovy feeling like your pic in Hal's book...i'm just not groovy enough though. hope you and kathy are well. duncan is turning one in a couple of days and loves his monkees cd and the road home cd. garren
Hey Pastor Mike, did Pastor Lance from Church on the Rock in Bridge City, Texas, ever speak with you about my "Jamie Inman's" song "Almighty Warrior" that is on CD? Please let me know as soon as possible. God bless you!