Roots Music report

Artist Profile

Mick Clarke

England · United Kingdom

About the Band
Discography
Reviews

British Blues Guitarist Mick Clarke continues to present new releases from his own Rockfold Studio, deep in the heart of Surrey, England.

Since the early 80s Mick and his band have toured regularly in Europe, Asia and the USA. Praised for his fiery 'straight from the wood' guitar sound, Mick is the winner of the Artist Aloud Awards 'Best International Act'. In recent years tours have included Italy, India, Bosnia and an appearance at Sweden Rock Festival. Though now 'semi-retired' from the road Mick continues to create and release a constant stream of new music.

Born in 1950, Mick began his musical career with KILLING FLOOR part of the British blues boom of the late 1960s. The band backed Texas blues guitar star Freddie King and toured with legends Howlin' Wolf, Otis Spann and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup. Two albums were released - the first, 'Killing Floor' is one of Classic Rock Magazines' '20 greatest British blues albums 1967-1970'. In 2003 Killing Floor reformed for recording and tour projects, and were featured on several European blues and rock festivals.

In the mid 70s Mick co-formed SALT with British singer Stevie Smith, a powerful blues-rock act who were a big hit in the UK playing regularly at London's Marquee Club and other top venues. The band played at the Reading Festival and also opened for Muddy Waters at his first major London concert. In 1978 the band morphed into RAMROD with ex Rory Gallagher Band members Lou Martin and Rod De'Ath, touring in Ireland and again playing extensively in London, opening for Muddy at his Rainbow Theatre concert.

THE MICK CLARKE BAND originally started working around the London area in the early 80s, but quickly received offers of work from mainland Europe and the United States. Early festival appearances such as the Belgium R&B Festival in Peer confirmed their appeal for continental audiences, while the US tours established a world wide reputation for the band.

Mick's first solo album 'Looking For Trouble' came out on the Italian label 'Appaloosa' in the early 80s and sold well. More albums quickly followed on Appaloosa and then the German company 'Taxim' and Mick's US label 'Burnside'. Recent releases have been on Mick's own 'Rockfold' label, with CD packages produced by BGO Records.

The Mick Clarke Band has appeared on numerous festivals with artists such as Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter and Joe Bonamassa. Recent shows have included festival appearances in Italy, Belgium and India - the "Simply The Blues" Festivals in Mumbai and Bangalore. In July 2017 Mick appeared at the Mostar Blues & Rock Festival in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In June 2018 Mick played at Sweden Rock Festival, one of Europe's major rock events, headlined by Iron Maiden and Ozzy Osbourne.

In the U.S.A. Mick has appeared with artists such as Johnny Winter, Canned Heat, Foghat and Elvin Bishop. The Southern California Blues Society called him "One of the finest blues players to come out of England".