Mikkey Dee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikkey Dee
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Dee in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou |
| Born | 31 October 1963 Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1983–present |
Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou (born October 31, 1963), known as Mikkey Dee, is a famous Swedish drummer. He is best known for playing drums for the English heavy metal band Motörhead from 1992 to 2015. Since 2016, he has been the drummer for the German heavy metal band Scorpions. Mikkey has also played with other well-known bands like King Diamond and Helloween.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Mikkey Dee was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. His father was from Greece, and his mother was Swedish. He started his music journey playing with local bands called Nadir and Geisha. Some of his biggest influences, or drummers who inspired him, include Neil Peart, Brian Downey, and especially Ian Paice.
Music Career
Playing with King Diamond (1985–1989)
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Mikkey moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to play with Geisha. In 1985, he joined the band King Diamond. He played drums on their albums like Fatal Portrait (1986) and Abigail (1987). King Diamond became very popular. Mikkey felt he was more of a backup musician than a songwriter. So, he decided to leave the band after their tour for the album Them (1988). However, he came back to play drums for their next album, Conspiracy (1989). After that, another drummer named Snowy Shaw took his place.
Joining Don Dokken (1990)
In 1990, Mikkey Dee joined Don Dokken for his solo album, Up from the Ashes. Music videos for songs like "Stay" and "Mirror Mirror" were shown on MTV. The band went on their own tour and also opened shows for Judas Priest. During this time, Mikkey also briefly played for a band called World War Three (WWIII).
With Motörhead and Other Projects (1992–2015)
While King Diamond was on tour with Motörhead, their lead singer, Lemmy, kept asking Mikkey to join his band. In 1992, Mikkey finally said yes. He took the place of their previous drummer, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.
Mikkey's first show with Motörhead was on August 30, 1992, in New York. He didn't have much to do with the album March ör Die that year. Most of the drums for that album were recorded before he joined. Mikkey's photo was on the album cover for Hellraiser, even though another drummer played most of the songs.
After some changes with record labels, Motörhead started their own label. Mikkey's first album with this new label was Bastards in 1993. Mikkey also played drums on Helloween's album Rabbit Don't Come Easy in 2003.
In 2006, Mikkey reunited with King Diamond for a special show in Sweden. King Diamond called Mikkey "one of the best [drummers] of all time."
Mikkey also played drums for Swedish artist Martin "E-Type" Eriksson. This was for the Swedish pre-qualification for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004.
In 2009, Mikkey was on a Swedish TV show called Kändisdjungeln. While he was filming, Matt Sorum filled in for him on Motörhead's tour.
After Lemmy passed away in December 2015, Mikkey announced that Motörhead would no longer continue as a band.
Joining Scorpions (2016–Present)
In January 2016, Mikkey Dee was set to play with Thin Lizzy for their anniversary shows. However, he later joined the Scorpions instead. He first filled in for their drummer, James Kottak, for several shows in North America. Mikkey later became a permanent member of the Scorpions.
In November 2024, Mikkey used social media to clear up false rumors that he had passed away.
Musical Style
Mikkey Dee is known for his long drum solos during concerts. These solos often last between five and fifteen minutes. You can hear some great examples in songs like "Sacrifice" and "In the Name of Tragedy."
Equipment
Mikkey Dee uses Sonor drums, Paiste cymbals, and Evans drumheads. He also uses Wincent Drums sticks. His main drum kit is a Sonor SQ2 Vintage Maple Custom Finish set.
Personal Life
Mikkey Dee loves ice hockey. He is a big fan of the Frölunda HC team from Gothenburg. There was a rumor that he played for a Swedish National Youth Hockey team. But Mikkey has said that this is not true. He did play for a team called Team Sweden in California in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Mikkey Dee lives in Gothenburg with his longtime girlfriend, Mia. They have two sons together.
In 2019, Mikkey opened a rock bar in Paris called Alabama. In 2022, he used his skills as a truck driver to help advertise Volvo's Electric Trucks.
Discography
King Diamond
- Fatal Portrait (1986)
- Abigail (1987)
- Them (1988)
- Conspiracy (1989)
- In Concert 1987: Abigail (1991)
Don Dokken
- Up from the Ashes (1990)
Motörhead
- March ör Die (1992) - "Hellraiser" only
- Bastards (1993)
- Sacrifice (1995)
- Overnight Sensation (1996)
- Snake Bite Love (1998)
- We Are Motörhead (2000)
- Hammered (2002)
- Inferno (2004)
- Kiss of Death (2006)
- Motörizer (2008)
- The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
- Aftershock (2013)
- Bad Magic (2015)
Helloween
- Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003) - tracks 1–6, 8–10, 12
Scorpions
- Born to Touch Your Feelings: Best of Rock Ballads (2017; 3 tracks)
- Rock Believer (2022)
Other Music Projects
- Drums on "Mange Tak" by Danish band Shu-bi-dua on the album Shu-bi-dua 12 (1987)
- "Distant Voices" on "Face the Truth" (1992)
- "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" on Metallic Assault: A Tribute to Metallica (2001)
- "Fear of the Dark" on Numbers from the Beast: An All Star Salute to Iron Maiden (2005)
- "Zombie Slam" on Psalms of Extinction (2007) by Pain
- United – Where is the Fire (This video helped raise money for victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster. It featured many famous Scandinavian musicians.)
- Nadir "Snön Faller Ner/Ett Nytt Försök" 7" (1982) and "Frusna tårar/Sommar" 7" (1983) - these singles also featured singer Gunnar Jaunupe and keyboardist Mats Olausson.
See also
In Spanish: Mikkey Dee para niños
