MICK GRABHAM

Biography

Bands/Discography:

Solo albums: Great underrated guitarist (and also keyboardist), He is mostly known for being part of fantastic band Procol Harum, but before joining them, he had a very solid career, including a great solo album, as we'll see along this page. He was born in Sunderland, UK, on January 22, 1948.

PLASTIC PENNY  

Band formed around summer 1967.

After some singles, vocalist Brian Keith left them, and they became a quartet: They released their first album, Two sides of a Penny, but split around mid 1969, before the release of their second album, Currency. They also have a collection of unreleased tracks called Heads you win, tails you lose.

COCHISE  


(scans courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

This was a unusual outfit. Being British, they performed a fine country-rock, somewhat in a Creedence Clearwater Revival vein. They were formed in 1969.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They released his first album, Cochise, in 1970. Soon after, Stewart Brown leaves the band, and he's substituted with John Gilbert.

For their second album, Swallow tales, they were joined by some guests, like the superb Tim Renwick (guitar), the late Steve Marriott (piano, vocals), Caleb Quaye (piano), and Cal Batchelor.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They change slightly the lineup, John 'Willie' Wilson leaving the band to join Tim Renwick and Cal Batchelor in Quiver.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Unfortunately, after their third album, So far, they split.

There's also a compilation album, called Past loves.

HOOKFOOT  

Mick and Caleb Quaye were friends, so Mick joined as special guest of Caleb's band Hookfoot while they found a new bassist, after the original member, Dave Glover, left the band.

After a while, they got a permanent member, Fred Gandy, so Mick returns to his own career.
GUITAR ORCHESTRA  

This project was the brainchild of guitarists Ray Fenwick and Mick Grabham. They recorded a self titled album, Guitar Orchestra, but remained unreleased until 1997!


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

It also contains appearances by the great ones Tim Renwick (guitar) and Nigel Olsson (drums).

PROCOL HARUM   

In September 1972, Mick Grabham joins the band, substituting former guitarist Dave Ball.

They released three albums with this lineup. In Exotic birds & fruit we can find old Mick colleague in Cochise, B.J. Cole, on steel guitar.

They were a superb band. I have some concerts from this lineup, and Mick rocks! With or without orchestra, he gave a touch of distinction to Procol Harum.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

In 1999, it has been released a live album with this lineup, called BBC live in concert. It was recorded in 1974.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Procol's ninth is a very good album. I like it a lot!

Alan Cartwright leaves the band in June 1976, and another great musician enrichs this band, the great Pete Solley. Copping turns into bass tasks.

They only released an album, Something magic, and they finally dissolved in May 1977, although the fact wasn't announced till much later.

I have to say that Procol Harum came to life again much later, in 1991, but Mick Grabham was no more involved in the band in a regular basis, although he played with them in the 30th Anniversary of the band at Redhill in 1997.

BANDIT  

This British band was formed by Mick Grabham after the split of Procol Harum.

But unfortunately, they split after their only album, Partners in crime. But, please note there is a great confusion about this album. There are two different editions with different cover art. One of them shows Mick Grabham while the other one doesn't show him. I'm trying to get more accurate info about this fact...

NOTE: This British band musn't be confounded with another British band called Bandit, which had several famous musicians (such as Jim Diamond - later in Ph.D, Cliff Williams - later in AC/DC)

THE DUKES  

They were a band assembled by great guitarists Miller Anderson and Jimmy McCulloch. I've read rumours about the band continuing with Mick Grabham after Jimmy's death, but I can't confirm that. Can anybody help me?

Where is he now?  

I'm sad to say I haven't known anything from him till 1979. Oh, where has he been? Anyone can help, please? I've read he played a while for Emitt Rhodes, but don't know when.

SOLO ALBUMS  


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Mick recorded his solo album, Mick the lad, in 1972, after the separation of Cochise, and before joining Procol Harum. With this lineup:


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Now it has been re-released on CD, with 4 bonus tracks, some of them with the late B.J. Wilson on drums (from Procol Harum).

Sessions

Press here to read about Mick Grabham sessions

Musicians mentioned in this page that I have projected to cover in my site someday:

Related links

Family tree

Coming soon (I hope so!).

Thanks section

Thanks to:

Alex Gitlin for so many scans, as well as "Mick the lad" and Cochise albums; Graham Hulme for his comments about Mick; Jens Anders Ravnaas for corrections upon Procol recent history; Noreen Romano, for info about Kai Olsson.


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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 14/January/1998. Last modified on: 09/February/2000. 1