Mike Kellie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Kellie |
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Kellie, 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Alexander Kellie |
| Born | 24 March 1947 Birmingham, England |
| Died | 18 January 2017 (aged 69) |
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| Years active | 1966–1985; 1999–2017 |
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Michael Alexander Kellie (born March 24, 1947 – died January 18, 2017) was a talented English musician. He was also a composer and a record producer.
Over his 50-year career, Kellie was a key member of several rock bands. These included the V.I.P.s, Spooky Tooth, and The Only Ones. He was also a very busy session musician. This means he played drums for many other famous artists.
He worked with bands like the Who on their movie soundtrack for Tommy. He also played with Joe Cocker, Traffic, and George Harrison. In 2014, Kellie released his first solo album, Music from The Hidden. He passed away in 2017 after a short illness.
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Early Music Days
Kellie was born in Birmingham, England. His family was not musical, but he loved rhythm from a young age. He would practice drumming on a coal bucket using hearth brushes.
As a teenager, he joined a band at St. Michaels Youth Club. He later played at "The Track" in Solihull. This led to him being invited to play with Wayne and the Beachcombers. This was the start of his professional music career.
Forming Early Bands
In 1966, Kellie played in a Birmingham band called Locomotive. He played with Chris Wood, who later joined Traffic. Kellie then joined the V.I.P.'s in Carlisle. This band later changed its name to Art.
A music manager named Chris Blackwell found a singer and organist named Gary Wright. He added Wright to the band Art. This new group became Spooky Tooth. Kellie played drums alongside Greg Ridley, Jimmy Henshaw, Keith Emerson, Luther Grosvenor, and Mike Harrison.
Joining The Only Ones
After Spooky Tooth first broke up, Kellie joined Johnny Hallyday's band for a tour in France in 1974. Then, in 1976, he helped form The Only Ones. He started this band with Peter Perrett, Alan Mair, and John Perry.
The Only Ones are perhaps best known for their song "Another Girl, Another Planet". They recorded three albums with CBS. Over time, many collections of their songs have also been released.
In 1978, Kellie also played with Johnny Thunders. He was part of a group called the Living Dead. Kellie helped record Thunders’ album So Alone. This album included the famous song "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory".
After The Only Ones said goodbye in 1981, Kellie moved to Canada. He lived in the countryside north of Toronto for four years. During this time, he took a break from performing. He used this time to learn piano and write his own songs.
A Break and Return to Music
In 1985, Kellie returned to Britain. He spent several years living in North Wales and Scotland. There, he worked as a shepherd, looking after sheep in the hills.
Reunions and Solo Work
In 1999, Kellie reunited with some of his old bandmates from Spooky Tooth. These included Mike Harrison, Luther Grosvenor, and Greg Ridley. They released a new album together called Cross Purpose.
In 2004, Kellie, Mike Harrison, and Gary Wright played together again as Spooky Tooth. They performed concerts in Germany. They later released a DVD called Nomad Poets, which showed their live performances.
In 2007, The Only Ones reformed. They toured the UK, Europe, and Japan. They also performed on the BBC TV show Later... with Jools Holland.
In 2010, The Only Ones took another break. Kellie then started recording his own music. This became his first solo album, Music from The Hidden. Kellie produced the album himself. He also played drums, organ, bass, acoustic guitars, and percussion. He even sang the main vocals. Other musicians also helped on the album. These included Steve Winwood and Steve Gibbons.
Kellie was also featured on a six-CD collection called Jess Roden Anthology. He also helped with the 2011 recording sessions for The Distractions' album, The End of the Pier. This album was released in 2012.
What He Recorded
- Studio album
- Music from The Hidden
