In 1983 Mike came over to Sweden with The Cannibals on tour and on the 8:th of January they played at Kulturama in Stockholm with The Nomads supporting. I haven't been able to find any reviews or photos from that gig but if anyone who reads this have anything, please post a comment here.
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Heard just minutes ago that Mike had past away, really really sad to hear, I am in total shock.
ReplyDeleteMy friendship with Mike went back some 25 years, even though I hadn't seen him the past 10 years. Always thought I'd bump into him on the streets again sometime.
Both Mike & I lived in Eltham/woolwich Southeast London, somehow we meet by chance and became friends and started jamming in a local school. Me, Mike and a guy called darren. Mike on guitar, Darren on drums and me trying to sing.
we jammed together until Mike decided to move to Sweden. We only ever did one gig in a pub called the old tigers head.
During this time Mike had a Swedish girlfriend, so Me and Mike & his girlfriend went to see the Swedish band the Nomads play at dingwalls, during this gig I meet his girlfriend friend, and we hit it off and I ended up getting married too. So I owe meeting my wife to Mike, Iam still married to the same girl and have two children.
After Mike left London for Sweden I soon followed, we kept in touch for a long time doing various things. shorly after we both had small children we lost contact.
Mike was an original guy and will be missed.
My heart goes out to his children & Family.
Trevor Gallant
beluga@comhem.se
When I first me Mike, in about 1979, I went to his house on the Eltham Roundabout and listenend to his records. Without a doubt it was Mike who turned me on to 60's garage with his unique collection of Pebbles and Nuggets albums hot off the American press as imports. It was sort of event like Mick Jagger meeting Keith Richard on some train with Keith's collection of imported American blues records. I'd know of several garage record classics from before having played and recorded Standell's and Strangelove's covers from 1973 onwards. But Mike introduced me into the subteranium world of beautiful obscure classics I had never would have known so soon without his collection and love for.
ReplyDeleteOf course I know Mike as well as anybody, having toured and gigged with Mike countless times. The Scandinavian tour of which the Stockholm/Nomads gig was only one of several, were classic with memories enough to write a book about. The 26 hour boat trip from the UK to Gothenburg was another story. Mike was definitely the most difficult Cannibal (out of about 100!) I've ever worked with. He was a miserable character much of the time and there are people who will remember how Mike made me mad enough to pull a knife on him in Le Harve one day in Dominique's flat. I can't remember who it was, maybe Johnny or Patrice or Dominique, but someone had to pull me back from killing the miserable bastard right then and there. But it was a love - hate relationship I will always cherish. I cannot remember how many Cannibals have left or threatened to leave because of Mike. But I insisted he stay and let the others do as they pleased. Why? Not because I loved Mike so much...but because he was a damn good guitarist, he was an individualist and I was about the only one who could handle working with Mike. The songs we wrote together are some of my favourites and his unique playing made them each a classic among the 200 or so Cannibal originals. When I get to write my own memoirs and those of being a Cannibal for over 32 years I am sure there will be a huge chapter just on working with and being with Mike. Rest in Peace Mike. You deserve some peace. God only knows how much angst you had in your life.
Thanks for sharing this info guys! I am glad you both took the time to comment on my blog. Mike was a difficult man but I miss him so damn much.
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