Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch, former front man vocalist, left Money amicably in early 1970 when he was offered a solo recording deal with MAM Records. MAM was the label set up by GORDON MILLS and TOM JONES. Mike was signed to the label by Geoffrey Everitt after recommendation from Ronnie Scott who had seen Mike perform with MONEY at an event at London's Kensington Palace Hotel.
Mike joined MAMs roster of artists which at that time included DAVE EDMUNDS, GILBERT OSULLIVAN, MIKE PATTO and many more. The first release was TIME TO GET IT TOGETHER. B side I'M CRYING TOO. Followed by BROTHER LOVE YOUR FELLOW MAN. B side WE'VE ALL GOT THE POWER.
Sadly these two releases didn't get the airplay they deserved and although sold to Mike's strong army of fans had no impact on the national charts.
Mike began to write material for his first album with MAM and recorded a number of tracks the work was never completed due to his growing touring schedule with BILL KENWRIGHT'S theatre company.
Mike appeared in Bills first musical production of NO TRAMS TO LIME STREET.
This continued the tradition of Mikes recording with MONEY when the first single they released was the title song to BILL KENWRIGHTS production COME LAUGHING HOME.
After touring with NO TRAMS (music incidentally by Marty Wilde and Ronnie Scott) Mike found himself working closely with Bill Kenwright in assisting in the early formation of Bill's now highly successful music and theatre empire.
He also at that time did a number of bit parts in film and along with actor/stunt co ordinator Julian Grant, did quite a lot of stunt work and fight sequences for film and TV.
Mike today holds a 6th dan black belt in Wado Ryu Karate and is the Vice President of THE WORLD MARTIAL ARTS COUNCIL and in addition to his musical pursuits has taught karate and related martial arts for the past forty years.
In 1972 Mike moved back to Manchester and married settling down to raising his two children Mike continued to gig in a number of bands throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s.
BANDIT
- John Pedro Dearden (lead guitar),
- John Groome (drums),
- Mike Lynch (vocals/harmonica) and
- Big Terry Howard (bass guitar).
Both Pedro and Terry were in the original line up of The Cymarons along with Mike.John Groome was drummer with Stackwaddy.
This line up replaced the original which included Pete Kenny (lead guitar, ex original Chapters) and the late Tony Saville (bass guitar). Tony, who owned Tony Saville Music, was sadly killed in a tragic go karting accident.
The band only played a couple of live gigs but concentrated on recording original Dearden/Lynch compositions at the original Pennine Sound Studios, which was situated in part of Paul Adsheads dad's engineering factory in Oldham.
Over a period of a couple of years, Bandit morphed into the Mike Lynch studio band.
This band continued to record Mike and Pedro's songs but also began working on Mike's solo writing projects. Mike began to bring in many additional musicians of his acquaintance during this period enabling him to expand the range of musical capabilities in the studio.
Here is a list of some of the Manchester musicians who worked with Mike during this time.
In addition to the original line up of Bandit:
DRUMMERS
Brian Cusick, Tony Heath, John Needham
GUITARS
Al Faulkner, Paul Adshead, Chris Farmer,Cal Hayman,Steve Haddock (pedal steel),
KEYBOARDS
Norman Crabtree (piano),Ian Cotterill, Tony Holt, Glynn Buckley
BASS GUITAR
Dave Tep Gleave, Paul Brierley, Stu Jackson
BACKING VOCALS
Ronnie James, Anne Carol, Penny Gold, Paul Brierley, Paul Hathaway
SAXOPHONES
Phil Chapman, Mike Kay, Dave Corriere
There were many more who sat in as guests who I cannot list here.
Many of these sessions were used by PICCADILLY RADIO as late night non-needle airplay time.
PICCADILLY RADIO also commissioned 2 sessions with the original CYMARONS who reformed to produce some great rock n roll for the late night show. A cassette recording still survives and if the quality is good enough will be transferred to CD.
Most of the Pennine studio sessions are now transferred to CD.
TRACK LIST.
1. ROCK N ROLL NIGHTMARE.
2. STREETCAR.
3. GREYSTONE MOUNTAIN.
4. WHITE MUSTANG.
5. CIRCULAR DOORS.
6. FACE OF ANGELS.
7. AFTER DARK.
8. STEPS OF YOUR SHADOW.
9. DOOR MARKED EXIT.
10. I GAVE IT ALL TO YOU. (This song was recorded on ARIOLA HANSA RECORDS by the group 'CHILD'.)
11. EVERGLADE ANGEL.
12. SILLHOUETTE.
13. LETS FLY. (Recorded by Penny Gold for the first TV advert for Manchester International Airport.)
14. EVERGLADE ANGEL.
15. SILVER DOLLAR HERO. ( This song won the NEW FACES ALL WINNERS SHOW for the country rock band POACHER, and featured on their first album. The track has also covered by several American recording artistes.)
16. WINDOWS AND MIRRORS.
17. LOVE IS ALL.
18. HONKY TONK BAR.
19. ONLY DREAMING.
20. MIDNIGHT DANCER.
21. CONCRETE SKIES.
22. YOU GOT INTO ME.
23. ROCK N ROLL MAN.
24. CRAZY CHRISTINE.
25. THANKS A MILLION.
26. PHOTOGRAPH OF ANGELINE.
27. FOOL IN THE RAIN.
28. TURNING POINT.
29. WALKING TALL DON'T COME EASY. (Short film soundtrack)
30. RESTRICTIONS (Short film soundtrack)
31. BOY FROM ILLINOIS.
32. DECK CHAIR SUITE (Theme for a short film)
33. TALE OF THE TAILOR (Theme for a short film)
Some of the musicians involved with Mike at this time ventured out of the studio to work on some of the above projects in live venues.
ELECTRIC BLUES BAND
Mike fronting Electric Blues Band with John Grooms (ex Stackwaddy, Prowlers) on drums.
The Electric Blues Band came together around 1982 when Mike met ace guitarist Chris Farmer. Chris had worked in several groups in the Newcastle area ( THE INFLUENCE and for a spell LINDISFARNE.) With a mutual love of electric blues they formed ELECTRIC BLUES BAND.
Working with a number of different players the line up settled down as follows:
- CHRIS FARMER - lead guitar
- DAVE 'TEP'GLEAVE - bass guitar
- JOHN GROOME - drums
- MIKE LYNCH - vocals/harmonica
- GLYNN BUCKLEY - organ.
Originally working pubs and clubs the band became a solid rock/blues outfit. After a reletively short spell Mike and Chris began to write some original material for the band. These songs became an integral part of the bands set.
Pressure to go into the studio and record this material resulted in the band mastering 10 of these compositions. These recordings are now available on CD.
1. ROCK N ROLL AN' EVERYTHINGS ALRIGHT
2. TRANSISTOR SISTER.
3. AGONY AND ECSTACY.
4. HELP ME TO MY CAR.
5. CRAZY GAMES.
6. HEADING OUT THE WRONG WAY.
7. PHRENOLOGY. (FEELING THE BUMPS)
8. EAST OF EDEN.(LIVING ON THE WIND)(This song was written for a documentary on the life of JAMES DEAN.) 9. BLUES IN B flat.(instrumental) 10. SNAKES AND LADDERS.
Guesting on some of these sessions on 2nd lead guitar was AL FAULKNER who had previously worked with Mike in MONEY.
The band split amicably in 1984 when a suitable replacement for Chris Farmer could not be found after he re-located south with his job.
Mike continued to work with some of the above musicians on various projects untill the early 1990s when LAZY TIGER was formed.
LAZY TIGER
Mike and Terry Howard rehearsing with Lazy Tiger
LAZY TIGER formed around 1990, the line up consisted of:
- Mike Lynch vocals
- Terry Howard bass guitar
- Brian Cusick drums.
These three having been involved with Mike in the CYMERONS and some of Mikes studio projects. The fourth member was keyboard ace Chris Bentley
Working the pubs and clubs as a four piece unit initially they found that their expanding repertoire badly needed a lead guitarist of a high standard.
After auditioning a number of players it was agreed that one Steve Pratt fitted the bill.
This line up worked solidly for around 3/4 years playing two distinct sets, a polished cabaret performance for clubs and private functions and a pub rock/blues set including a slice of Mikes back catalogue of material.
Two of these tracks were recorded at Manchesters Twilight studios and are available on CD.
1.AGONY AND ECSTACY.
2.GUESS I'M ONLY DREAMING.
The band also recorded a number of songs written jointly by Mike and Steve Pratt which at the moment are in the process of transfer to CD.
1.SAVANNA.
2.RED OR BLUE.
3.PLASTIC SHOES.
4.THE BURDEN.
The songs Savanna and Red or Blue were co-written with Chris Bentley also - Steve Pratt. Mike left the in 1993/94 due to internal disagreement in the general direction of the band. Lazy Tiger continued for a short period afterwards and eventually split in mid 1994.
Mike teamed up with Steve Pratt once again to form the blues outfit Wolf Tickets. Mike holds the rights to LAZY TIGER and has a music outlet under this title.
WOLF TICKETS
WOLF TICKETS FORMED IN 1994 the line up consisted:
- MIKE LYNCH - vocals/harmonica
- DAVE 'TEP' GLEAVE - bass guitar
- PAUL SMITH - alto sax/flute
- PETE JOHNSON - drums
- STEVE PRATT - lead guitar
An out and out blues band WOLF TICKETS worked solidly on the pub rock circuit for around a year untill an amicable dissolvement was agreed so that Mike and Steve could concentrate on recording their now growing catalogue of joint material.
Mike and Steve were now heavily involved in putting together Mikes rock opera 'MERLIN THE LEGEND OF THE ENCHANTER'. More info on this project to follow.
REPTILE
Mike has just put together a new band to work on the soundtrack for "Merlin" the animated film based on Mike and Steve's rock opera.
Rehearsals have gone so well that they have decided to hit the road with a series of live gigs so watch this space for web site info.
The band is a 6 piece consisting, Mike Lynch (vocals, gtr, harmonica), Steve Pratt (lead gtr), Steve Wallace (bass gtr), Mark Taylor (keyboards), Jim White (drums) and Robaldo (tenor sax). More to follow.
The band will be gigging under the title. "Reptile".
Pictured in rehearsals: L to R, Steve Wallace, Mike Lynch, Mark Taylor, Adam Khomsi, Steve Pratt, Jimmy White
Latest Projects -
M new band (MIDNIGHT BLUES PROJECT) features DAVE WEBB ex CHAPTERS/ST LOUIS UNION and STEVE WALSH ex RAINY CITY BLUES BAND/JIMMY POWELL AND THE FIVE DIMENSIONS/CASUALS. Playing some superb blues R&B and original material will send in some pics asap.
Also the original CHAPTERS MIKE LYNCH. ADY EDDLESTON JOHNNY BRENNAN AND DAVE WEBB got together socially for the first time in 43 years this month and a celebratory gig may be on the cards.
MERLIN
MERLIN the rock opera. Mike is now working in partnership with JUICE FILMS in creating an animated feature film based on the opera with other related projects, see release info.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Mike via email.... mikelynch1943(at)googlemail.com
Memories
My name is Jim Laird & I have known Mike Lynch for some 30+ years.
I first met him in 1974 when he came to a rehearsal of the band I played in with a mutual friend. I then found he drank in the same pub I'd just started using (being new to the area) & I guess the rest is history.
Mike being somewhat older than me, I never got to see him play in his heyday, but have met many of the guys he was in bands with. I was there at the beginnings of the Electric Blues Band, Lazy Tiger, Wolf Tickets & his latest project Midnight Blues Project. I myself played in Blind Lemon & the Jifs, Bag of Spanners, The Laughing Spiders. I've never worked with Mike in a band but have jammed with him on many occasions at open mic nights. I have also done a couple of support spots with his bands (hence the photo which is Mike introducing me. I think with Wolf Tickets). I have also worked with Mike (us both being joiners) many times over the years.
Mike has been a great friend & in a lot of ways a mentor, he is an excellent singer & mouth organ player, & also a talented songwriter.
Jim Laird - 4/10/11
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