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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMOST, Mickie(b Michael Hayes, 20 June '38, Harrow, Middlesex; d 30 June 2003 in London, of cancer) Producer and pop svengali, changing his name in the late 1950s searching for success with Alex Murray as The Most Brothers, whose backing band incl. future Shadows Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch on guitars, bassist Jet Harris, drummer Pete Chester. He abandoned light-harmony rock when he met his South African-born wife, emigrating to S.A. where he formed Mickie Most and the Playboys and exploited the non-availability of USA music with 11 consecutive no. 1 records with covers (Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode' etc). He returned to the UK '62, did the package tour circuit and reached no. 45 '63 with 'Mister Porter', but wisely decided to retire from performing to use the studio expertise picked up abroad. He first worked with the Animals, a raw R&B band he spotted in a Newcastle club: single 'House Of The Rising Sun' exceeded three minutes, unheard of then, but was no. 1 both USA and UK; though Alan Price quit the band over rows with dictator Most, his down-to-earth approach turned a rowdy live band into studio winners. He polished Herman's Hermits, whose run of hits began with UK no. 1 '64 'I'm Into Something Good'; also produced Donovan from '66, Lulu and Jeff Beck from '67; he played a major role in shaping Donovan's career, while Beck later disowned hits like 'Hi Ho Silver Lining' and 'Love Is Blue'. Most formed his own RAK label '70 and turned to bubblegum acts like Mud, Suzi Quatro and Racey; but also signed classy, long-lived pop thoroughbreads Hot Chocolate and soft-rockers Smokie. His commercial judgement rarely failed; he even signed up his main rivals in bubblegum production, Chinn & Chapman, whose songs were published by RAK's publishing arm. He was a panelist on TV talent show New Faces; also prod. the pop show Revolver '70s; continued to run RAK profitably, though at a smaller output (Kim Wilde a major '80s star). Motto 'Find good songs, go in the studio, make good records and then go home' led to turning down 'troublesome' acts like the Who and the Rolling Stones. |