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BIOGRAPHIES
Micky Moody is best known for his role in the definitive and legendary WHITESNAKE line-up, though his vast and varied career was spawned out of a sixties school band 'The Roadrunners' which also included future superstar, PAUL RODGERS, lead singer of FREE and BAD COMPANY. Micky joined the highly acclaimed JUICY LUCY which was one of the major steps towards 'Rock Stardom'! Numerous British, European and American tours accompanied a regular output of recorded works. After Juicy Lucy split Micky co-founded SNAFU which combined his Brit-rock guitar style with some down-home stateside grooves. The band recorded three albums and toured extensively before the individual members headed off to pursue different ventures. Micky subsequently became engrossed in session work as his reputation as a versatile musician spread. Before long a phone call from old friend DAVID COVERDALE assured Micky of a vital place in his future plans beginning with the guitar slot and co-writing position on his forthcoming solo albums, 'WHITESNAKE' and 'NORTHWINDS'. This then of course led to the formation of the now legendary and classic 'WHITESNAKE' line-up during which time Micky toured extensively world-wide acquiring many gold discs in the process and much wider recognition. Micky has been the guitar wizard behind such classic British singers as Graham Bonnet, Frankie Miller, Chris Farlowe, Roger Chapman, Elkie Brookes and Eric Burdon. In addition American artists such as Meat Loaf, Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, Ben E. King, and Walter Trout have all enlisted the skills of this multi talented player. As a writer he has written and co-written many songs some of which are many of the numerous Whitesnake classics. In 2000 Micky finally released his first solo album 'I Eat Them For Breakfast'. Soon after, he teamed up with former Juicy Lucy singer Paul Williams to celebrate the music of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James and Muddy Waters with 'Smokestacks, Broomdusters and Hoochie Coochie Men'. Recently Micky released an album of original acoustic instrumentals and has recorded a new solo album. His solo album 'Don't Blame Me' was released in 2006 followed by two works of instrumental music, Acoustic Journeyman and Electric Journeyman. He is also the author of the autobiographical 'Playing With Trumpets'. Micky is well respected as an acoustic artist often seen in duo or band mode displaying his virtuoso prowess on not only a glittering array of guitars but also mandolin and lap steel to name a few. Visit Micky's official website
Neil was the original bass-player in Whitesnake from 1978 until 1986, and his playing was a very important part of the sound of the band. Together with Micky Moody, he played on their classic albums Trouble, Lovehunter, Ready An' Willing, Live In The Heart Of The City, Come An' Get It and Saints An' Sinners and did extensive tours of the UK, Europe, the USA and Japan. In recent years Neil also toured and recorded with M3 Classic Whitesnake and Company Of Snakes, both of which included ex-Whitesnake guitarists Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody. Neil has also been a member of Black Sabbath, Brian May Band, Gary Moore's band and Peter Green Splinter Group, as well as sessions and tours with many other world-famous singers and musicians. Since 2002 Neil has been a mainstay of the house band for the very
Laurie Wisefield joined Wishbone Ash in 1974 and over the following 12 years with the band he toured the world and recorded many albums, with sales totaling over one million copies. In 1987 Laurie joined Tina Turner's band for her world tour lasting fourteen months, which included the opportunity to perform alongside Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Tony Joe White and Robert Cray. During the late '80s through the '90s, Laurie toured and recorded with Joe Cocker and Eros Ramazotti, and was part of the Night Of The Guitars tour. He also toured and recorded albums as a member of Roger Chapman's Shortlist. Working together with singer/songwriter/keyboardist John Miles in Tina Turner's and Joe Cocker's bands led in 1996 to Laurie becoming an integral part of the massively successful Night Of The Proms tours as part of the John Miles Electric Band, alongside Il Novocento Orchestra. Since then, Laurie has appeared on stage and on recordings with a huge number of great artists in all styles of music as part of the Night Of The Proms, Including Andrea Bocelli, Joe Cocker, Meat Loaf, Jim Kerr (Simple Minds), Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders), Lisa Stansfield, En Vogue, INXS, Zucchero, Deborah Harry (Blondie), Mark King (Level 42), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Youssou N'Dour, Seal, Karl Jenkins, Patricia Kaas, Donna Summer, Shaggy, Coolio, Oleta Adams, Howard Jones, Rodger Hodgson (Supertramp), Michael McDonald (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers), James Brown, Ike Turner, Pointer Sisters, Tears For Fears, Sharlene Spiteri (Texas), Ali Campbell (UB40) and many more. Laurie has been a permanent member of the band in the hugely successful Queen musical We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London, playing to audiences totaling over 2.5 million. He also performed with Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, together with the cast of We Will Rock You and Phil Collins at Queen Elizabeth's Royal Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2002, and was part of the band for Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds live tour in 2005. Visit Laurie's official website
Best known for his work with Thunder, Harry James is one of the best-loved drummers on the rock circuit. Influenced by the likes of Ian Paice, John Bonham and Cozy Powell, and backed by Pearl, Paiste and Pro-Mark, Harry has over 30 years experience of performing live and is renowned for his distinctive and powerful playing style and rapport with the audience. Harry proudly occupies the drum stool for Magnum, who maintain a busy recording and touring schedule. He is also currently a member of South London’s Bad Influence. In addition to his extensive Thunder back catalogue, Harry has contributed to work by Don Airey, Russ Ballard, Shadowman (featuring FM's vocalist Steve Overland and Heartland's Steve Morris), Carl Sentence, Bucket & Co and Hellfire Corner. Harry has had the pleasure of performing live on stage alongside Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Glenn Hughes, Steve Harley, Roger Daltrey and Lulu, and has toured with Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Mick Ralphs and Paul Young. Visit Harry's official website
Chris Ousey's singing career started with Manchester based group Monroe. He then went on to join Virginia Wolf whose first record was produced by Queen drummer Roger Taylor, and featured Jason Bonham on the kit. Virginia Wolf's second outing was entitled Push and was produced by Kevin Elson, and both records were released on Atlantic. Both albums sold well and saw the band touring the USA in support of Paul Rodgers' and Jimmy Page's band The Firm. A video which was made to promote the single Waiting For Your Love gained The band went their different ways after Push, and Chris went on to form Heartland in 1990 with original Monroe guitarist Gary Sharpe. The pair soon went on to land a major recording contract with A&M records. Their self titled debut was released in 1991 and was produced by James "Jimbo" Barton. Heartland released a video in support of a single release, Real World, and toured with Mr Big amongst others. A second album Wide Open followed on the Escape record label. Chris then began collaborating with guitarist Steve Morris who had recorded two albums with Export, and had worked with Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. Chris also co-wrote and recorded two albums in Vancouver, Canada, with Poker Face guitar player Kenny 'Kaos' Loney, the first of which scored in the 90's in Japan's 'Burn' magazine chart. Chris has continued to release Heartland recordings to date, and has an ever-growing reputation as a quality rock vocalist and song writer.
Michael Bramwell studied piano at the London College of Music. He has toured and recorded extensively working with guitar hero Uli Jon Roth, Barclay James Harvest, The Mick Clarke Band, Suzi Quatro, Enrique Iglesias, Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins, Rob Reynolds, Bic Runga, Dom Brown (Duran Duran) and many others. Michael is also currently Associate Musical Director for the German production of Queen’s Will We Rock You. He has worked in the London production in the Dominion Theatre with Laurie and Neil as well as in Zurich, Cologne and Stuttgart productions. He is also Musical Director for Italian singer Patrizio Buanne.
© Copyright Monsters of British Rock 2010 |
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Micky Moody - guitar, slide guitar, vocals
Neil Murray
Laurie Wisefield
Chris Ousey
Michael Bramwell