Micki Free facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Micki Free
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Free performing at the Kitchener Bluesfest in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 20, 1955 |
| Genres | Rock, blues, electric blues, blues rock |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, Singing, Native American flute, Harmonica, |
| Labels | Native Music Rocks Records |
| Associated acts | Micki Free American Horse, Shalamar |
Micki Free (born May 20, 1955) is a talented guitarist and singer. He is of Native American background. Micki Free won a special Grammy Award for his music in the Beverly Hills Cop (1984) movie. He has also won five Native American Music Awards. Today, he helps with promotions for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. They own Hard Rock International.
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Micki Free's Early Life and Music Journey
Micki Free was born in West Texas. He moved to Germany when he was very young. His family had Irish, Comanche, and Cherokee roots. His stepfather was in the U.S. Army. Micki discovered rock 'n' roll music in Germany. One of his sisters took him to a Jimi Hendrix concert. He said it "blew his mind."
Starting His Music Career
Later, his family moved to Illinois. There, Micki joined a rock band called Smokehouse. When he was 17, a famous musician noticed him. This was Gene Simmons from the band KISS. Smokehouse was opening for KISS and other bands. Gene Simmons encouraged Micki to keep playing music.
Joining Shalamar and Winning a Grammy
In 1984, Micki Free joined the popular band Shalamar. This was a big time for the band. They had a hit song called "Dancing In The Sheets". It was from the Footloose movie soundtrack. In 1985, Micki won a Grammy for "Don't Get Stopped In Beverly Hills." This song was from the Beverly Hills Cop movie soundtrack. He was nominated for a Grammy three times with Shalamar.
After Shalamar and New Bands
After leaving Shalamar, Micki Free started new bands. He formed Crown of Thorns with Jean Beauvoir. Later, he created The Micki Free Electric Blues Experience. This band included Jon Brant from Cheap Trick and Curly Smith from Boston. Micki Free has won many awards for his music. He won the Native American Music Award for Male Artist in 2002. He also won Pop Rock artist in 2004. In 2022, he was added to The Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame.
Collaborations and Special Projects
Micki Free has played with many famous musicians. He recorded music with Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. He also performed with Bill Wyman, who used to be in The Rolling Stones. In 2002, Micki was chosen to play Tonto in a new movie about The Lone Ranger.
Micki Free also created a program called Native Music Rocks. This program helps Native American musicians. It gives them a chance to tour with Micki's band, American Horse Trio. He also started the first Native American record company. It was called Native Music Rocks Records. This project was supported by Hard Rock International.
In 2009, Micki Free performed at a special event. It was for president Barack Obama's inauguration. He played with other Native American musicians called Native Rocks.
His recent albums include "Micki Free Turquoise Blue." It features members of Santana and other special guests. His 2012 album, "Tattoo Burn," is a blues-rock album. Micki wrote, produced, and performed all the songs on it.
Micki Free in Pop Culture
Micki Free's style in the 1980s was part of a funny TV sketch. It was on Chappelle's Show in 2004. The sketch was called "Prince - Uncensored." It showed a story told by Charlie Murphy. He talked about playing basketball with Prince. In the sketch, Prince and his band wore flashy clothes. They played basketball very well and then served pancakes. Micki Free later said that the story was "totally accurate." He also said Prince played "like Michael Jordan."
