https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mick%27s+music+has+plenty+of+soul.-a0307148661According to this it could be "Blues and Beyond" in 1962!
BLUES singer Mick Whitaker is a singer who has never been prepared to take the easy option. He has a massive following, both locally and nationally, and can be counted as one of the most popular entertainers of the local blues scene. Billy Corcoran has followed his career through the many bands he has appeared with and here give an insight into the career of a local legend.
Along with guitarists Jeff Sadler and the great Mark Knopfler, Mick formed his first band in 1963.
"We were called Blues and Beyond," said Mick, who has never stood still and went on to graduate through many local bands, which was not uncommon at the time. One of these bands was Consolidated Sounds (which also featured Barry Leng on guitar, who went on to become Stephanie De Sykes MD), The Habit, Lemonade Pie, Sliced Fingers, before he formed Halfbreed along with Tom Farrier.
"We were signed to United Artists," said Mick, "cut an album, toured with Leo Sayer and then split up when the manager absconded with the band's money."
A big setback, but the irrepressible Mick got over it by immersing himself into studio work, recording over 1300 sessions.
"Most of these sessions were for myself, but they were with various companies and sometimes other artists, including top of the range artists such as Tom Jones, Alan Hull and Tina Turner."
The list of recording partners is endless and include: Simon Phillips (ToTo), Luis Jardin, Pete Winfield, Graham Jarvis and Clem Cattini, to name just a few.
Mick has released around 10 albums over the years, including recording for the Tall Ships music.
"Alas," says Mick, "I have never received payment for many of them, but then again, what's new.
"I recently cut an album with Charlie Harcourt and Mike Waller and play local residencies with them."
But Mick's work has also progressed to major films.
"I wrote the opening music for the movie The Michael Jordan Story (this time I was paid, fortunately)."
But Mick admits there are problems on the horizon which may affect his great love of appearing live on stage. "I will have to have a heart operation shortly, but I still feel there is a lot of touring left in me."
Mick, who once featured Andy Taylor, of Duran Duran fame, in one of this earlier bands is now in the process of forming an eight-piece band with Brendan Healy - "we'll get going once we have both had our operations", quips Mick.
The names which have featured in Mick's groups lineups just keep rolling off the tongue, to the earlier list you can add top guitarist Paul Rose, John Dickinson, Steve Thompson (once Elkie Brooks producer), Adrian Tillbrook (drummer for Elton John) and John Hedley.
"I suppose I am the John Mayall of the North East," commented Mick. Tim Healy opened up for me every Monday in the old days at the Burgundy Cobbler, in Whitley Bay; I also recorded with Kenny Craddock, before he was tragically killed in a car crash."
Singers and bands come and go but, it seems, Mick has
CAPTION(S):
STRIKE UP THE BAND: Above, Mick and the lads on stage. Below, Mick in the years with Halfbreed
AT HOME: Mick relaxing and still one of the most popular singers around
