Mike Deasy
Mike Deasy in Pärnu, Estonia 1992
Mike Deasy in Pärnu, Estonia 1992
Background information
Birth nameMichael William Deasy
Born (1941-02-04) February 4, 1941 (age 83)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresRock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, sitar, vocals
Years active1958–present
LabelsCapitol, Sparrow, Saltmine
Websitewww.mikedeasy.com

Michael William Deasy (born February 4, 1941) is an American rock and jazz guitarist. As a session musician, he played on numerous hit singles and albums recorded in Los Angeles in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He is sometimes credited as Mike Deasy Sr.

Biography

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He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he learned to play guitar as a child.[1] While still in high school, he played in bands backing visiting musicians such as Ricky Nelson and The Everly Brothers, and also played in Ritchie Valens' touring band with Bruce Johnston, Larry Knechtel, Sandy Nelson, and Jim Horn. After graduating in 1959, he joined Eddie Cochran's band, the Kelly Four, where he played both guitar and baritone sax and made his first recordings.[2][3][4] He also played with The Coasters and Duane Eddy.[1]

Following Cochran's death in 1960, he became an active session musician in Los Angeles[5] after winning a Down Beat magazine collegiate jazz music scholarship in 1961.[6] Deasy married Jim Horn's sister Kathie in 1961, and the couple later set up their own recording studio and production company, Saltmine Recording. He worked as a member of "The Wrecking Crew", with Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn, Larry Knechtel and others, on sessions for Phil Spector, and contributed guitar parts to The Beach Boys' album Pet Sounds.[1][5] In the 1960s and later years he also worked on records by the Monkees, the Association, Scott McKenzie, Johnny Rivers, the Fifth Dimension, Rick Nelson, Randy Newman, Spanky & Our Gang, Tommy Roe, Fats Domino, The Byrds, Michael Jackson, Helen Reddy, Frank Zappa, and others.[1][2]

In 1967, he contributed to albums coordinated by record producer Curt Boettcher, including Friar Tuck and His Psychedelic Guitar, effectively a Deasy solo album with wordless vocals by Boettcher.[7] Under the pseudonym Lybuk Hyd, Deasy also played guitar and sitar on the psychedelic concept album Tanyet, credited to The Ceyleib People, which also featured Ry Cooder.[5]

Deasy played guitar (with Tommy Tedesco and Al Casey) on Elvis Presley's 1968 TV special, Elvis. He also performed live with musicians including Cannonball Adderley and Little Richard. In 1969, he was invited by record producer Terry Melcher to work with a newly discovered singer-songwriter, Charles Manson.[8] Deasy left Manson's home after three days, "in a state of drug-fueled paranoia".[5]

Deasy continued to record with leading musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Chet Baker, and Mel Tormé.[1] His guitar playing has appeared on the soundtrack of many films including The Graduate, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Duel, Bullitt, and Dirty Harry, as well as on many commercials.[1][9]

From the early 1970s onwards after becoming a born again Christian at the 1969 Billy Graham crusade in Anaheim, California, Deasy became increasingly involved with Contemporary Christian music, producing and writing songs for several successful albums, often in conjunction with his wife. In later years, he has had a parallel career as a motivational speaker, and since 1988 has run a "Yes To Life" educational and inspirational program in schools and colleges in the US, Canada and Europe.[3] The Deasys also co-pastored Rock Church Southeast in Port Arthur, Texas, until it eventually shut its doors when Hurricane Harvey flooded the building.

Discography

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  • Your Gang (Mercury, 1966)
  • Tanyet (Vault, 1967)
  • Friar Tuck and His Psychedelic Guitar (Mercury, 1967)
  • Gator Creek (Mercury, 1970)
  • Letters to My Head (Capitol, 1973)
  • Wings of an Eagle (Sparrow, 1976)
  • Wings of Praise (Saltmine, 1987)
  • God Hates Queer (Saltmine, 1988)
  • Holy Smoke (Saltmine, 1991)
  • Tru Love (Saltmine, 1994)
  • Guitar Gold (Saltmine, 1995)
  • Signs and Wonders (Saltmine, 1999)
  • Paper Airplane (Saltmine, 2000)
  • Path of Peace Vol. 1 (Saltmine, 2003)
  • Path of Peace Vol. 2 (Saltmine, 2003)
  • Endtimes Weather Band (Saltmine, 2011)
  • Driftin' (Saltmine, 2013)
  • The Road Home Vol. 1 (Saltmine)
  • The Road Home Vol. 2 (Saltmine)

Partial credits as a sideman

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Year Artist Album Title Allmusic[10]

Pro Rating

Allmusic

User Rating

1960 Eddie Cochran "12 Of His Biggest Hits"
1962 Aki Aleong and His Licorice Twisters "Twistin' The Hits"
1964 The Road Runners "The New Mustang and Other Hot Rod Hits"
1965 Gary Lewis & The Playboys "This Diamond Ring"
1965 Dennis Budimir "The Creeper"
1965 Irene Kral "Wonderful Life"
1966 Petula Clark "My Love"
1966 Pete Candoli "Moscow Mule and Many More Kicks"
1966 Tommy Roe "Sweet Pea"
1966 The Deep Six "The Deep Six"
1966 Nancy Sinatra "Boots"
1966 The Monkees "The Monkees"
1966 Bobby Darin "If I Were a Carpenter"
1966 The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds"
1966 Ben Benay "The Big Blues Harmonica of Ben Benay"
1966 Your Gang "If You Want To Buy 'Em"
1966 Jerry Goldsmith "Stagecoach O.S.T."
1966 The Association "And Then... Along Comes the Association"
1966 Lalo Schifrin "Murderer's Row"
1967 Dean Martin "Happiness Is Dean Martin"
1967 Paul Revere & the Raiders "Revolution!"
1967 Nilsson "Pandemonium Shadow Show"
1967 Scott McKenzie "The Voice of Scott McKenzie"
1967 Elvis Presley "Double Trouble"
1967 The Ventures "Super Psychedelics"
1967 Bobbie Gentry "Ode to Billie Joe"
1967 The First Edition "The First Edition"
1967 The Parade "The Parade"
1967 The 5th Dimension "The Magic Garden"
1967 The Association "Insight Out"
1967 Gary Lewis & The Playboys "Listen!"
1967 Jan and Dean "Carnival of Sound"
1967 Tommy Roe "Phantasy"
1967 The Yellow Balloon "The Yellow Balloon"
1967 The Monkees "More of the Monkees"
1967 The Robbs "The Robbs"
1967 Harpers Bizarre "Feelin' Groovy"
1967 Gale Garnett "Sings About Flying & Rainbows & Love & Other Groovy Things"
1967 The Cake "The Cake"
1967 Sagittarius "Present Tense"
1967 The Ceyleib People "Tanyet"
1967 The Beach Boys "Smiley Smile"
1967 Johnny Rivers "Rewind"
1967 Lesley Gore "Magic Colors"
1967 Bobby Darin "Inside Out"
1967 Tommy Roe "It's Now Winter's Day"
1967 Harpers Bizarre "Anything Goes"
1967 Rick Nelson "Another Side Of Rick"
1967 Dean Martin "Welcome to My World"
1968 Honey Ltd. "Honey Ltd."
1968 Frank De Vol "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner O.S.T."
1968 Spanky & Our Gang "Like to Get to Know You"
1968 The Lettermen "Put Your Head On My Shoulder"
1968 The Sugar Shoppe "The Sugar Shoppe"
1968 Richard Harris "A Tramp Shining"
1968 Randy Newman "Randy Newman"
1968 Elvis Presley "Elvis"
1968 The Millennium "Begin"
1968 Lalo Schifrin "Bullitt"
1968 The Monkees "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees"
1968 Carmen McRae "The Sound of Silence"
1968 The Gosdin Brothers "Sounds of Goodbye"
1968 Fats Domino "Fats Is Back"
1968 Tiny Tim "God Bless Tiny Tim"
1968 The Gentle Soul "The Gentle Soul"
1968 Rick Nelson "Perspective"
1968 Richard Harris "The Yard Went On Forever"
1968 The Association "Birthday"
1968 Mason Williams "The Mason Williams Phonograph Record"
1968 Mel Tormé "A Day in the Life of Bonnie and Clyde"
1968 The Grass Roots "Golden Grass"
1968 The Beau Brummels "Bradley's Barn"
1968 Peggy Lipton "Peggy Lipton"
1968 The 5th Dimension "Stoned Soul Picnic"
1969 The Monkees "The Monkees Present"
1969 Jimmie Rodgers "Windmills of Your Mind"
1969 Larry Norman "Upon This Rock"
1969 Elvis Presley "Elvis Sings Flaming Star"
1969 Laura Nyro "New York Tendaberry"
1969 Mark Spoelstra "Mark Spoelstra"
1969 Michele O'Malley "Saturn Rings"
1969 Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart "It's All Happening On The Inside"
1969 Tommy Roe "Dizzy"
1969 Jackie Gleason "The Now Sound ... For Today's Lovers"
1969 John Simon "Last Summer" O.S.T.
1969 Townes Van Zandt "Our Mother the Mountain"
1969 Thelma Houston "Sunshower"
1969 The Grass Roots "Lovin' Things"
1969 The Mystic Moods Orchestra "Extensions"
1969 Cass Elliot "Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama"
1969 Stan Kenton "Hair"
1969 The 5th Dimension "The Age of Aquarius"
1969 The Monkees "Instant Replay"
1969 Peggy Lee "A Natural Woman"
1970 Jackie DeShannon "To Be Free"
1970 The 5th Dimension "The July 5th Album"
1970 Paul Williams "Someday Man"
1970 Bobby Scott "Robert William Scott - In Memory of the Race"
1970 Elvis Presley "Let's Be Friends"
1970 The Jackson 5 "ABC"
1970 Claudine Longet "Run Wild, Run Free"
1970 Tommy Roe "We Can Make Music"
1970 Chet Baker "Blood, Chet and Tears"
1970 The 5th Dimension "Portrait"
1971 Jack Daugherty "Class Of Nineteen Hundred and Seventy One"
1971 Howard Roberts "Antelope Freeway"
1971 David Axelrod "Rock Interpretation of Handel's Messiah"
1971 Cannonball Adderley "The Black Messiah"
1971 Elvis Presley "You'll Never Walk Alone"
1971 The Flying Burrito Brothers "The Flying Burrito Bros."
1971 Kim Carnes "Rest on Me"
1971 The Sandpipers "A Gift of Song"
1971 Solomon Burke "Electronic Magnetism"
1971 Johnny Rivers "Home Grown"
1970 Jackie DeShannon "Songs"
1971 The 5th Dimension "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes"
1971 Barbra Streisand "Barbra Joan Streisand"
1971 Nilsson "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet"
1972 David Clayton-Thomas "David Clayton-Thomas"
1972 Dean Martin "Dino"
1972 John Stewart "Sunstorm"
1972 Helen Reddy "I Am Woman"
1972 Little Richard Southern Child” released 2005
1972 Cannonball Adderley / Nat Adderley "Soul Zodiac"
1972 Kenny Rankin "Like a Seed"
1973 Incredible Bongo Band "Bongo Rock"
1973 Barry McGuire "Seeds"
1973 Della Reese "Let Me In Your Life"
1973 Andy Williams "Solitaire"
1973 Frank Sinatra "Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back"
1973 Helen Reddy "Long Hard Climb"
1974 2nd Chapter of Acts "With Footnotes"
1974 Terry Melcher "Terry Melcher"
1974 Billy Joel "Streetlife Serenade"
1974 Incredible Bongo Band "Return of the Incredible Bongo Band"
1975 Barry McGuire "Lighten Up"
1975 Jackie DeShannon "New Arrangement"
1975 Frankie Valli "Closeup"
1975 Kenny Rankin "Inside"
1976 Annie Herring "Through a Child's Eyes"
1976 Cannonball Adderley "Music You All"
1976 Janny Grein "Covenant Woman"
1977 Keith Green "For Him Who Has Ears to Hear"
1978 Candle "Bullfrogs and Butterflies"
1979 Barry McGuire "Cosmic Cowboy"
1979 Scott Wesley Brown "One Step Closer"
1983 Phil Driscoll "I Exalt Thee"
1983 Phil Spector "Back to Mono (1958–1969)"

[11][12][13]

Film and television

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Title Composer, Conductor or Artist Year of Release
Go, Johnny, Go! Eddie Cochran 1959
Stagecoach Jerry Goldsmith 1966
Spinout George Stoll 1966
Grand Prix Maurice Jarre 1966
Murderer's Row Lalo Schifrin 1966
The Monkees The Monkees 1966
Double Trouble Jeff Alexander 1967
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Frank De Vol 1967
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Nelson Riddle 1967
Bullitt Lalo Schifrin 1968
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter Dave Grusin 1968
Skidoo Harry Nilsson 1968
Yours, Mine and Ours Fred Karlin 1968
I Love You, Alice B. Toklas Elmer Bernstein 1968
The Sweet Ride Pete Rugolo 1968
Lady in Cement Hugo Montenegro 1968
Elvis Bones Howe 1968
The Graduate Dave Grusin 1968
Monterey Pop various 1968
Get Smart Irving Szathmary 1968
What's So Bad About Feeling Good? Frank De Vol 1968
Coogan's Bluff Lalo Schifrin 1968
The Summer Brothers Smothers Show Nelson Riddle 1968
Hang 'Em High Dominic Frontiere 1968
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour Ted Nichols 1968
Last Summer John Simon 1969
Change of Habit Billy Goldenberg 1969
The Andy Williams Show Nick Perito 1969
33⅓ Revolutions per Monkee The Monkees 1969
Sweet Charity Cy Coleman 1969
Watermelon Man Melvin Van Peebles 1970
WUSA Lalo Schifrin 1970
Josie and the Pussycats Ted Nichols 1970
Sometimes a Great Notion Henry Mancini 1970
Adam at 6 A.M. Dave Grusin 1970
The Phynx Mike Stoller 1970
The Partridge Family Wes Farrell 1970
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls Stu Phillips 1970
Star Spangled Girl Charles Fox 1971
Flip George Wyle 1970
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour Marty Paich 1971
Play Misty for Me Dee Barton 1971
Alias Smith and Jones Billy Goldenberg 1971
Plaza Suite (film) Maurice Jarre 1971
Duel Billy Goldenberg 1971
Dirty Harry Lalo Schifrin 1971
The New Bill Cosby Show Quincy Jones 1972
Butterflies Are Free Bob Alcivar 1972
The Getaway Quincy Jones 1972
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid Dave Grusin 1972
Play It Again Sam Billy Goldenberg 1972
Portnoy's Complaint Michel Legrand 1972
Magnum Force Lalo Schifrin 1973
High Plains Drifter Dee Barton 1973
The Outlaw Josey Wales Jerry Fielding 1976
Sudden Impact Lalo Schifrin 1983
The Wrecking Crew various 2008
Sample This - The Birth of Hip Hop Perry Botkin, Jr. 2012

[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Biography by Bruce Eder at Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 22, 2013
  2. ^ a b Mike Deasy at Musicians Hall of Fame Archived September 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22, 2013
  3. ^ a b Rob Whitehurst, Mike Deasy – Rock and Roll, at MikeDeasy.com. Retrieved August 22, 2013
  4. ^ Cochran, Bobby (October 24, 2003). Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780634032523. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c d Dawn Eden, The Mike Deasy Story: 2001 interview, 29 June 2006, Dawneden.blogspot.co.uk, Retrieved August 22, 2013
  6. ^ "p.14" (PDF). Archive.org. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Sean Westergaard, Friar Tuck and His Psychedelic Guitar, Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 22, 2013
  8. ^ Guinn, Jeff (August 6, 2013). Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781451645163. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Michael Deasy at IMDb. Retrieved August 22, 2013
  10. ^ "AllMusic | Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "Mike Deasy Discography". Mikedeasydiscography.blogspot.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "Mike Deasy". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  13. ^ "Mike Deasy Sr. Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  14. ^ "Mike Deasy | Music Department, Soundtrack". IMDb.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
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