mike-sanchez-rockabilly,rocknroll,blues

Out Soon
Mike Sanchez; The next chapter:
‘It started with a few borrowed 45s, then came the quiff and some knockout threads.’*

Born in London to Spanish parents in 1964 Mike Sanchez moved to Bewdley aged 11, his parents having left the racially tense capital of that era. He attended Bewdley High School, where he bucked the 70′s pop trend and was drawn to the rock & roll of the late 50′s and early 60′s, along with school pals Ian Jennings and Mark Davies. In woodwork teacher Richard Rogers, they found their mentor; Richard Rogers, also known as Ricky Cool, a well known Midlands harmonica, sax player and band leader. Mike along with Ian and Mark formed the Rockets, the George Hotel in Bewdley served as their base, where a chance visitor, Robert Plant heard them, starting a life long friendship with Mike. Plant introduced them to guitarist Andy Silvester (ex Chicken Shack), who new Ricky well. The result was the forming of Ricky Cool And The Big Town Playboys, they were later to join Robert Plant on stage at the NEC. Ricky left the band in ’86 for family and career reasons, leaving Mike to take over as front man.
Mike’s path also crossed with that of Mick Fleetwood leading to a US tour, returning later for the opening of Mick Fleetwood’s LA Blues Club. Friend Peter Richardson (of ‘Comic strip’ fame) introduced Mike to Jeff Beck, an association with the band, Big Town Playboys resulting in the album ‘Crazy Legs’, a tribute to Gene Vincent, in particular his, guitarist Cliff Gallup.
‘When the music is pumping, the keys are jumping, the sweat is pouring and the rhythm really does satisfy your soul: that is Mike Sanchezhttp://www.rhythm-and-booze.co.uk/?p=9419