Mike
was born and raised in Swansea: A rough and tumble town on the South Wales
coast in the UK.
His circumstances were unusual from birth, being the only son with 6 sisters,
Mike was immersed in the music tradition of Wales, where singing has always
been a proud national pastime. Swansea was, and still is a raucous
place. And even today wild horses still run free through the
streets where Mike had to learn at an early age to fend for
himself.
His first
affray into percussion was as a drummer boy for the Sea Scouts/Cadet's, as he honored
the Naval tradition of the family. As he became more skilled at his
technique a 12 year old Mike followed the common route from tin pots to
makeshift drums. His first real kit was brought for him by his father
George at
the age of 13. Now he was ready to start his first band.
"The Planets" played rock & roll instrumentals such as
"Nutcracker" by "Bee Bumble and the Stingers". They
played for free to small local crowds, in atmospheres that most 13 year old boys mothers would have nightmares
about! During the smoky nights in these rough but colorful clubs, the
diminutive drummer began to make a name for himself with his boyish good looks
and cheeky Swansea charm.
This did not go unnoticed
by local Jazz club columnist "Schmoo" who turned the Iveys on to
Mike. At the time Mike was drumming for a popular local band called
"The Misfits".
Rival band member Ron Ivey turned up at Mikes door in true rock star
style: On the back of his dad's moped.
Mike was slightly apprehensive
about the look of this Ivey. He appeared more mod than rocker but Mike
agreed to audition for the fledgling Iveys. Within one hour of the
audition, Pete ("Piggy") and
the rest of the boys offered Mike the gig. Mikes first reaction was
"I don't know about these guys!", but the grungy little rocker saw
something in the Ivey's and joined the band that would in time jet him around
the world.
Home
Mike
was born and raised in Swansea: A rough and tumble town on the South Wales
coast in the UK.
His first
affray into percussion was as a drummer boy for the Sea Scouts/Cadet's, as he honored
the Naval tradition of the family. As he became more skilled at his
technique a 12 year old Mike followed the common route from tin pots to
makeshift drums. His first real kit was brought for him by his father
George at
the age of 13. Now he was ready to start his first band.
"The Planets" played rock & roll instrumentals such as
"Nutcracker" by "Bee Bumble and the Stingers". They
played for free to small local crowds, in atmospheres that most 13 year old boys mothers would have nightmares
about! During the smoky nights in these rough but colorful clubs, the
diminutive drummer began to make a name for himself with his boyish good looks
and cheeky Swansea charm. 
This did not go unnoticed
by local Jazz club columnist "Schmoo" who turned the Iveys on to
Mike. At the time Mike was drumming for a popular local band called
"The Misfits". 
