Forgotten Fretmasters #14 - Mick Green
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2021
- #mickgreen #pirates #drfeelgood #wilkojohnson #paulmccartney
Links to Mick's Playing:
“Lonesome Train” mid 70s performance:
• The Pirates "Lonesome ...
“Johnny B. Goode” on Rockpalast 1979:
• The Pirates - Johnny B...
Live with Paul McCartney & David Gilmour at the Cavern Club, 1999:
• Paul McCartney Live at...
The guitarist that we’re about to chronicle never sought the center stage, instead being content to support multiple early 60s bands in that decade’s explosion of British rock. And as a result, he ended up influencing a new generation of axemen who would take guitar playing to the next level of volume, speed and ferocity. We’re going to look at early British axeman Mick Green, next, on Forgotten Fretmasters! - เพลง
Hi Micks son again. The Elvis story occurred when he was backing Englebert Humperdink and it was his manager that didn’t tell Dad about the call from Elvis as he wanted dad to remain with Enge. Dad was born in Matlock during the war as that was where they were evacuated. After the war they returned to the family home in Wimbledon, South London. Also on the Two Greens Make a Blues - they incorrectly put Frank Farley (Pirates drummer) picture on instead of dads.
Thanks for filling in the gaps! But do you think your dad would’ve gone to play with Elvis? I mean… it was ELVIS 😂
Yes if he’d known about Elvis he would have 100% left Englebert to be with Elvis but unfortunately Englebert’s manager never passed on that info to him. He would have been brilliant in Elvis’ band.
Your Father was a MAGNIFICENT Guitarist I had the pleasure of seeing him with The Pirates at Reading Festival 1978 and Erics Club Liverpool later that year, but the Reading Festival is the greatest live performance I have ever seen...R.I.P Mr Green.
@@greenbrothersuk Huge respect to your dad. The first time I ever listened to him was on the compilation album of the front row festival at the hope and Anchor. I was a big Stranglers fan which is why I bought the album, but just ended up listening to the 2 pirates songs on it, Don'r Muncheon it and Gibson Martin Fender. Superb! x
It's interesting that Mick was in Enges band Enges music was on the ballad side. However, in Enges 70s more Disco numbers there is some fantastic guitar work going on there so Mick talents came to the fore then. Enge in the 60s had Jimi Hendrix as a tour mate. I think Mick was better off with Enge anyway. I came to him through Wilco Johnson who is a guitar hero of mine.
You don’t know how happy this makes me seeing some long overdue recognition given to this man. I’ve been a life long Pirates and Dr Feelgood fan and always felt it was criminal that Mick never got proper recognition by the British media, especially the British guitar magazines that barely ever mentioned him. So it’s good to see this. Many thanks
Great to read your comment..I was a punk in 77..and it was while at a Generation X gig I got to learn of The Pirates..I then followed them live and got their two major albums. I think they are the band I saw the most! I bet I was ar same gig as you at some point! I recently dig out the albums and I'm loving it all over again. Good to know you are a fan!!
The greatest British guitar player? Yup, I think so. He was exciting, talented, a decent bloke... oh, and hugely influential. Mick Green was nothing short of brilliant.
In 1977 The Pirates played a blistering shit-kicking set at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. I did the customary bit of ligging later and discovered the guys to be extremely nice funny and friendly souls. I told Mick I was struggling to learn guitar so he sat me down put his legendary Tele Custom in my sweaty grasp and manipulated my hands on the fretboard to show me the A chord to riff combination rhythm/lead trick. I couldn't do it right away but went home and practised it all over the fretboard of my guitar. The greatest moment of my musical life!!!! Mick taught me the essence of rock'n'roll guitar in 15 glorious minutes....grateful to him forever!!!!
There are geezers playing just like this all over London tonight. The undiscovered talent out there playing just for fun is amazing.
Always loved Mick Green’s phenomenal playing & his good humoured stage presence… the guy will always be a legend among rock fans & his fellow musicians.
Lets not forget that bands like the Pirates, Feelgood and Motorhead, were true crossover bands beloved of punks, due to the pure speed and agression of their live sets.
Wonderful live back in the day when they were all at the top of their game.
wilko directly sites mick as his inspiration
the pirates out of their skulls is probably one of the best live albums ever
Met Mick several times in the 70s with The Pirates..he was a lovely bloke who although he wasnt the vocalist, the majority of the audience was gathered at his feet..not only was he a great guitarist but his energy and showmanship was immense!...and the ladies loved him!
Mick came and played with us on a recording in London 1993 with my then band Eager Beaver.. We did a cover of Roy Loney's song "Phantom Mover".. Mick said he never used any pedals or anything, just a Marshall or Fender amp and a cord.. He said he never got why use pedals at all. He had tried several times, but it just confused him.. He wanted to "just do his thing"..
He was a legend and a very nice guy..
Last time I met him was at a show with The Pirates here in Stockholm, and we had a beer and a chat afterwards. I will miss him forever since he was a big inspiration to me and also taught me a few guitar tricks.
Thanks for everything, Mick.
Saw Mick in '63 with Johnny Kidd, it was wild I had never heard anything like it, it blew me away and made every other player at the time look old fashioned and tame.
For me Mick is simply the best guitarist I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I immediately thought "this is it, I get it now". I can't play the technical stuff but I can play this, absolutely fantastic guitarist. Totally brilliant.
Great to see you recognise Mick Green. He and the Pirates were a major influence on guitarists like me in the early 60s. Mick took rock and beat guitar away from the straightforward pop genre of the time. Had the pleasure of meeting Mick on some of his gigs to Edinburgh Scotland. A true gent who was happy to discuss his iconic Tele and Fender amp rigs. A great guitarist who was greatly admired and loved by all British musicians.
Thanks again for featuring Mick. 🙋♂️🇬🇧🎸
Mick Greens two sons formed a band called The Green Brothers they played many Pirate songs the guitarist son even emulates his fathers unique staccato finger style playing there’s some excellent footage on TH-cam
I saw him with The Pirates at punk club Barbarellas in Birmingham, I think 1978. Honestly, they showed all the punks the way home and I realised that there was a legacy in British rock and roll of which I was hitherto unaware. RIP Mr Green, you really knew how to rock.
Wow thanks for this great tribute and recognition of Mick, my guitar hero bar none. I followed him from the mid 70's with Shanghai through the reformed Pirates who could give any of the punk bands in the late 70's a real run for their money, what did they say "never follow the Pirates" check out "Gibson, Martin, Fender" and "Don't Munchen it" from "Hope and Anchor Front Row Festival" album... blistering... I had the pleasure of meeting Mick being invited into the dressing room at two Blackpool gigs and at the Half Moon in Putney, such a modest delightful man. I was also at the 100 club trubute gig to him and watching and listening to Brad playing just like his dad made the hair stand up on the back of my neck! Mick, thankyou for the music, my hero!
Remember seeing him play at Dingwells Camden,around that time he was working with my good friend Nigel Dixon from Whirlwind.His playing was totally electric,RIP Mick and Nigel.
Damn that guy could play. This is the first guitar player you have profiled I’ve never heard of. Great discovery. Thanks!!
saw Mick a few times in the 70's with Shanghai and when he reformed the pirates. he was without a doubt one of the most exciting guitarists ive seen. played a solo and changed a broken string at the same time! a true legend
That tele through his Marshall stack of the late 70’s was a great tone! RIP Mr. Green!
Mick Green..the complete guitarist.
So lucky to have seen The Pirates around 1978, during the punk era.
The whole band were so tight, and relentless.
A shame no full concerts were filmed from them, around that time, to view on DVD.
The Pirates - Rockpalast (th-cam.com/video/Qxx9PLaRdW8/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUTcGlyYXRlcyByb2NrcGFsYXN0IA%3D%3D). 1 hour of The Pirates live on German TV in 1979.
Great about Mick Green, great TH-cam show! If you looking at the Cavern performance with Paul and David - you see how Paul look at Mick Green when hes playing and you can see that sign in Pauls eyes saying " Thats good, what a great guitar player"....as he was a little surprised... Yes, Mick Green was very good! I love Pink Floyd but that evening... its was Paul and Mick Green with friends... nothing else.
I remember seeing Mick with Johnny Kidd at Waltham Cross ‘Imp’. I was a young teenager and loved his chunky chords on what I remember as a Gibson. A great show and wish I could have seen more!
Massive influence on Wilko Johnson, as Wilko has often said himself. I believe Mick actually gave Wilko a guitar lesson or two, a long time ago. I remember the Pirates' reunion in the '70s very fondly though I never got to see them. Wonderful player.
I can confirm that they were great live. And I'm liking your NME inspired handle. Who else remembers I wonder? Cheers!
Massive influence also on Abe Futoshi ! fantastic japanese guitarist !
One of my early heroes, first saw him with Johnny Kidd in' 64 and I was at the Pirates comeback gig at Dingwalls in London. Sensational guitarist.
I was at that Dingwalls gig. It was mentioned on TOTP2 on the TV and I went.
I remember seeing him play with McCartney on I think the Tonight Show not long before he died. I knew him basically from the handful of amazing Pirates clips on here and it made me happy to see he got that gig.
Hi. Tanks a lot for telling us about Mick Green 👍🙂
Glad to get the more or less full story on Mick Green. Definitely one of the pioneers in UK rock...
My band, "The Alley Cats", supported Johnny Kidd & the Pirates on several occasions and we always had a good chat. At that time it was the Tele and a Fender single 12" amp. He certainly liked to be simple with his gear - just a guitar and amp, no echo units or the like!
His big influence was James Burton and it certainly showed in his playing style. However, it was an influence and not copycat.
The Pirates could almost be cited as one of the first 'power trios' - they had a big sound and were the perfect foil for Mr. Kidd. A true live band!!!
Saw The Pirates twice in the late 70s..amazing gigs both...Mick Green was a great player with a fantastic and very powerful style.
Mick Green was amazing 🎶🎸
Mick, along with Hank Marvin, was my main influence as an embryonic guitar player in the early 60's, and the fact that Mick was held in such high regard by so many musical luminaries tells its own story. For me, Mick is The Guv'nor.
Thank you! Another excellent episode on a properly unsung guitar hero. I rather admire Mick’s almost deliberate avoidance of the spotlight and rock star trappings, and just got on with making a successful career out of music. Quite the role model. Cheers!
Mick did not play guitar on Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’s hit record, “Shakin’ All Over”. That was Joe Moretti.
To paraphrase James Cagney… ‘Joe Moretti did it first. Mick Green did it right.’
Beautiful homage
Excellent series, thanks!
Big Mick Green fan here he was definitely a unique guitarist. I saw the Pirates support the stray cats in 1981 they were bloody good I wished I followed them more
Excellent show,never heard of Mick Green but he certainly rocked with some fantastic musicians,thank you.
He also played Lead on The Wild Angels “Running Bear”
Mick, Legend.
The Pirates, legendary.
Love this concept of Forgotten Fret Masters. Spotlighting those guitarist that are great in their own right but just never got the recognition. I'm positive there are a plethora of guitarist that could be featured on this channel.
Enough to keep me busy for years!
I’m a native of San Jose, CA. The Doobies lived around the corner and played live in Campbell a lot. I’ve been playing guitar since 72. I’ve never know of, nor heard any other musicians even mention Mick Green. Did he not have much success or airtime in the SF bay area?!
Okay... I went back after this and watched the live performance of the Pirates (who I’ve also never heard of) and the performance of lonesome train. This blows my mind that I’ve never heard of these people. And it’s amazing that the music to me is borderline punk, if I had to make a comparison of rock styles. I’m truly stumped! Learn something new every day. 🤷🏼♂️
It’s not all about America. Mick Green was an UK guitar player. He wasn’t the massive influence this video suggests. He was an influence on some players around London, but his influence is unlikely to have reached California.
@@johnbuell8035 I've always liked his style & sound but as you say, his influence was low key.
I DJ'd in a club in 1977 when the Pirates played. After their sound check I happened to have a copy of Shakin All Over but put the B side on, Yes Sir That's My Baby. They were all sitting having a beer when Mick shouted, " You can take that shit off!". What a gig. I'd never seen such a powerful 3 piece before . Frank was hitting the drums so hard they were bouncing all over the stage. The power and energy they played with. Lonesome Train a highlight! A privilege to witness.
I saw him playing with the reformed Pirates in the late 1970s. Never forgotten it and his playing was unlike anything I'd heard or have heard since.
That was really good. I didnt know anything about Mick, though I'd seen his name before. Will check him out. Thanks for the introduction to him.
Mick Green is probably the most under-appreciated guitarist in British rock history. Legend has it that Jimmy Page said "one day I will form a band similar to Mick Green and the Pirates" !! R.I.P. Mick and thx for the good vibes down the line ❤❤❤❤
I have a copy of Two Greens Make a Blues somewhere. It’s a weird, experimental record…not really what you’d expect. It also features another of my heroes, Wilko’s successor in Dr Feelgood, Gypie Mayo. Now THERE’s an underrated player worthy of your attention!
"Each and every one of them looked for that superstardom that inspired them to pick up a guitar in the first place." Honestly, I don't think this statement could be further from the truth for most of the people you've featured to date. Great musicians are, I think, inspired by a desire to make music rather than to be superstars.
Fair point! But I also think the desire to get girls was strong 😂
I think Bobito, ,and the Guitar historian are both right .I trod the guitar path in the 60 's and we liked playing the music first,but one of our group couldn't wait to get his hands on the women...... so both right !! The priapic member was the singer!
I've only recently discovered Mick Green and it blows my mind to learn he was a big influence on Pete Townsend. Makes so much sense.
I've never heard Pete Townsend state Mick was a direct influence...there were so many others around
Holy. Living. Shit.
Thank you for this. Mick Green forever. Now I'm busting out my Pirates albums. Doc Feelgood next.
The '72 Telecaster was heavy as a boat anchor and he never used the neck pickup. Live he'd use a black Les Paul Custom for slide. All through a Marshall stack - no effects. I was there - I saw it.
Another great episode! Loved Mick's raucous style. 🤘
His mates called him "The Clanger" do to his sound which for the longest time barked out of a 4x10 cab. "Nothing but 4x10s will do Paul will it?" We got to talk when I was touring the UK in the '90's. And yes I was rocking a 4x10 Marshall cab! My band still opens our first set with his "Please Don't Touch".
Brilliant. I had heard of Mick Green but knew very little about him.
Great production, Fantastic research thank you very much for this history.
Mick's lead/rhythm choppy style was a big influence on me, even though I landed up playing covers in the London Mecca dance halls. I wish I'd had a chance to see him live. A really good tribute - thanks
Wonderful
Cool, Mick was a great guitarist! Have you considered featuring Zal Cleminson guitarist for the British 60's/70's Sensational Alex Harvey Band? Killer blues/rock guitarist!
I thought I knew them all.....Thank You for introducing me to this slinger!
Wow! Did I learn a lot!! Mick is new to me. Excellent guitarist and another fantastic video!!!😀
Great documentary. Thank you.
My screen name should tell you, just how much I loved this man's playing ability.
Very well done documentary, full of info and interesting pics. Mick seems underrated in some ways and despite being an early rock guitarist, certainly on this side of the pond, he seems appreciated by more now than back in the day possibly.
Great video and RIP Mick.
Great post, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I must admit I'd never heard of him before
Really great content. Thanks
What a GREAT documentary! Your knowledge is incredible.
guy was a legend. Lead and rhythm at the same time!!!
Outstanding doc, kudos.
This was Great !!!
Mick is one of those guys i read about years ago but never heard and yes, forgot about.
Thanks for the 'nudge' ! I'm on my way ;)
Hi GH. I just want to say again, thank you for making these vids. I was well into my 30s when i finally invested in my love of rock music and bought my first guitar. These videos help me dive down into the histoy of guitars and guitarists, help me feel connected with the culture of what we love
Very well put together mate, thanks. Your style of delivery too, is great.
Thank you!
A force of nature. RIP, big fella.
Great video, as usual . Well done.
Wow. Just caught up with this. Met Mick in Tokyo in the 90s. Lovely, sweet guy and a monster on stage. One of the good ones.
Another great and educating episode. I had the good fortune of seeing Mick with the Pirates at Reading Rock festival back in the late 70s, and they were a great rocking band. Although I knew nothing of Mick Green back then, it was his cutting guitar sound that attracted me to go watch them after a friend had played me a Pirates track called "milk cow blues". No wonder he inspired Wilko, you can hear the roots of PG plain as day.
Mick Green is a badass and inspired me to get a Tele Deluxe (Even though he played a custom same style). Thanks Mick,Cheers mate jamming in the Great Studio in the Sky!
Thank you. So good to hear about a guitarist who, though well respected by the more famous axe slingers never really hit the lime light. It seems that was just fine with him. Glad you did this, I'd heard a few tracks by Him, sadly I wish I'd heard more. Thanks again.
I had never heard of Mick Green but he's got a great name and is playing my favorite guitar the Tele Deluxe
He does have a great name just wanted to point out its Telecaster Custom, one humbucker and one single coil. The Deluxe (I have a Squier Deluxe) is 2 humbuckers.
@@TheGuitarHistorian You are absolutely correct. They both share that iconic pickguard that gives it its signature interesting and intimidating look!
^ ^ I must admit there is so much detail in in this video...... my memories . I saw The Pirates playTiffanys in Edinburgh in 1979. Absolutely blew my mind! Foxy love fae Scotland
VVxx
Mick Green 🎸🔥!
Mick Green is THE most underated and unknown to the masses guitarist who is on the list of other highly rated axe men.
the Pirate Gimmick did not help the cause...
I think Paul McCartney had Mick play on his Choppa B CCP rock and roll album in 1988 long before the Run Devil Run album. Great video about my favourite guitarist.
Respect. Thankyou. Always
Not forgotten by me! One of the greatest!
First watched him with The Pirates in the late 70s. They would play the same clubs as the punk bands. The Pirates had more fire, guts and energy than any of the young punks. I know, because I was there.
Me too 👍
I was really pleased to see Sports on the records behind you. I'd like to suggest you do an episode on Chris Hayes of Huey Lewis and the News if you can find out enough about him. I wouldn't say he's a top-notch guitarist, but he was really good (I say "was" not because he died but because he can't really play any more) and very melodic. His guitar solos sounded quite distinct from each other which is no easy feat. He was my first guitar inspiration but I've never heard him mentioned in other people's lists of favorite guitarists. I think he deserves a salute and a bit of recognition.
Great video. All I can say is that Mick is certainly not forgotten in these parts - many gigs in and around London and much admired. He, Frank and Johnny really knew how to work up a storm.
He started at the same time as a number of other talented players, British & American. It was all happening in that creative period and it wouldn't have been easy to stand out. I also think the Pirate gimmick should have been dropped...when the 3 of them reformed in the 70s..not to everyone's taste
@@vincentl.9469 You kind of forgot the gimmick once they got going...and at least they didn't do piratey songs! 😄
@@brianparker663 No, but before they went on stage at times you would hear this soundtrack which must have come from a film..dead man's chest or something..and then they would blast into the first song..
@@vincentl.9469 That's true! TBH I'd forgotten about that - getting old you know. 😄 Enjoy your day.
I've been to Matlock, and I'm fond of 'I'll Never Get Over You', but I never heard of Mick Green. Now I do.
never heard his name - though unknowingly heard him play. thnx for (not only) this one, you do a great job here
Had the great good fortune to see him live with the Pirates.
Towards the end of his career he spent time in Japan playing with a band called The Michelle Gun Elephant their guitarist Futoshi Abe an exceptional player of that staccato finger style playing who sadly died very young. There is some good footage of Mick with these guys on TH-cam
Mick Green was a name I definitely heard of but never sought out his music. I remember seeing photos of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and thinking they can't be a serious band if they have to use a gimmick. Thanks for a nice overview of his career. I'll have to give his stuff a listen.
Wow I learned something, Mick burns on the guitar, Something for everybody really solid
My favourite UK guitarist of all time
Cool I’ll have to check out more,
I still have a picture of Mick with a Gibson Les Paul Junior. I've always wanted one but now the real deal is way too expensive. Along with it is a photo of The Jaybirds ( from Nottingham UK ) featuring a certain Alvin Lee. What a player he was.
Thank you, for turning me on to this cat. Man, power and balls. I’m really digging micks licks. Good stuff. Totally getting the influence in townshends playing. Dare I say Richards my have felt the same.👍✌️
I NEVER heard of this dude. VERY interested and WILL check his music out.
Wow great show man. Learned alot about Greens history. The dude couldn't definitely rock out with his guitar.
Saw the Pirates at the Greyhoud Fulham Palace Rd in the 70s