Mickey Finn (percussionist)
- Bongos
- congas
- drums
- bass
- vocals
- T. Rex
- Hapshash and the Coloured Coat
- Mickey Finn's T. Rex
- The Blow Monkeys
- The Soup Dragons
Michael Norman Finn (3 June 1947 – 11 January 2003)[1] was an English musician. He was best known as the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars) and later the 1970s glam rock group T. Rex. After Bolan's death and T. Rex's demise, he worked as a session musician for The Blow Monkeys and The Soup Dragons.
Career
Finn was born in Thornton Heath, Surrey. After he joined Tyrannosaurus Rex in late 1969, it was rumoured that Bolan had hired Finn for his good looks, and because he admired his motorcycle, rather than for his musical ability. Finn was unable to recreate the complex rhythmical patterns of his predecessor, Steve Peregrin Took, and was effectively hired as much for a visual foil for Bolan as for his drumming. The BBC news commented on this, saying "Marc Bolan was supposed to have said of Finn: 'He can't sing... but he looks superb.'"[1]
Mickey Finn stated, on a radio show in Denmark on which he and Marc Bolan were appearing as guest DJs, that his big influence in percussion was the prolific Master Henry Gibson from Curtis Mayfield's band.[citation needed] In 1969–1971, Finn's contribution to Bolan's music, as bongocero, backing vocalist and occasional bass guitarist, was essential, because T. Rex started off as Tyrannosaurus Rex, a duo and Marc needed a replacement for Took. Something of a character both on and off stage, Finn was often to be seen wearing a hat (including a green bowler), a trademark that was adopted by a significant proportion of T. Rex fans.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Finn made a handful of guest appearances with the West London rock band, Checkpoint Charlie, fronted by Mick Lexington.[citation needed]
In 1991, he joined the Croydon R&B band, WD40, which had a fluid line-up based around his old friend, drummer Stewart Childs, Colin Goody (harp, vocals), and Pete Robins (guitar, vocals). The band then added guitarists, percussionists, etc. as required, but Finn was forced to retire after about 12 months due to failing health.[citation needed] A couple of live tracks survive from this line up.[citation needed] Finn was also invited to play at the Marc Bolan 50th Anniversary gig organized by Mick Gray (ex-T. Rex tour manager and roadie), to celebrate what would have been Bolan's 50th birthday at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on 30 September 1997.
Finn returned to the mainstream music scene in 1997, fronting Mickey Finn's T. Rex with Paul Fenton and Jack Green, playing old T. Rex songs until his death.[2][3] He played on one live album by the band, Renaissance (2002).
Death
Finn died in Croydon, Surrey, on 11 January 2003, aged 55. His manager, Barry Newby commented that it was likely that Finn's illness and death were due to liver and kidney problems but it was not confirmed at the time of the interview.[1] In 2020, Finn was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of T. Rex with Bolan, Steve Currie and Bill Legend.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "T Rex band member dies". BBC News. 13 January 2003. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
- ^ "'New' T-Rex has 'old' T.Rex fans firing zip guns at Iscariots". Hackensack Daily Voice. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Bowie And Legend Sign Petition Against T-rex Tribute Band". Contactmusic.com. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Why T. Rex's Induction Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Could Cap Half Century Goal of Breaking America". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- v
- t
- e
- Marc Bolan
- Mickey Finn
- Steve Currie
- Bill Legend
- Steve Peregrin Took
- Gloria Jones
- Jack Green
- Paul Fenton
- Davy Lutton
- Dino Dines
- Miller Anderson
- Herbie Flowers
- Tony Newman
As Tyrannosaurus Rex |
|
---|---|
As T. Rex |
|
- You Scare Me to Death (as Marc Bolan)
- Billy Super Duper
- Dance in the Midnight (as Marc Bolan)
- "King of the Rumbling Spires"
- "Ride a White Swan"
- "Hot Love"
- "Get It On"
- "Jeepster"
- "Telegram Sam"
- "Metal Guru"
- "Children of the Revolution"
- "Solid Gold Easy Action"
- "20th Century Boy"
- "The Groover"
- "Truck On (Tyke)"
- "Teenage Dream"
- "Light of Love"
- "Zip Gun Boogie"
- "New York City"
- "Dreamy Lady"
- "London Boys"
- "I Love to Boogie"
- "Laser Love"
- "The Soul of My Suit"
- "Dandy in the Underworld"
- "Celebrate Summer"