Mick Green, 1944-2010

6:15 PM GMT 11/01/2010

Farewell to the stiletto guitarist who lit a fire under British rock'n'roll.

MICK GREEN, FORMERLY the guitar player with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Green is far right) and latterly sideman to the stars, has died, aged 66.

The early years of British rock'n'roll were not overburdened with authentic tear-arse guitarists. Joe Brown was one; Green was the other, and although he joined Kidd in 1962, after the latter's defining hit, Shakin' All Over, he ensured that beneath the Pirates' pantomine privateer schtick there was always proper musical ballast. The glowering lead line and serrated slashes that stalk Kidd's vocal in 1964's Number 4 hit I'll Never Get Over You, were typical, and the group's cover of Piano Red's Doctor Feelgood minted a snarling sound that would inspire the Canvey band of that name.

In the '70s, as the main attraction in the now Kidd-less Pirates, he held a torch for blistering R&B, and with gutbucket mores back in fashion later in the decade, he held his own with the pub'n'punk crowd , trading blows with The Stranglers, Wilko Johnson, The Saints and others at 1977's Front Row Festival, a three-week run of shows at Islington's infamous punk pub, The Hope & Anchor.

More recently, Green lent licks to Paul McCartney on the Beatle's r'n'r revivalist Run Devil Run album (1999), played on Bryan Ferry's Frantic (2002) and underwent a saintly stint under the Van Morrison cosh, enlivening Van's 2008 album, Keep It Simple. Meanwhile, the most recent generation of garage rock converts continued to seek his patronage.

His son Brad Green, writing on his father's web site, released the following statement...

"It is with the greatest of sorrow that I have to inform you all that my father, Mick Green, has this morning (11th Jan 2010) passed away. My dad will be deeply missed by his family, friends and fans all around the world. He inspired and dazzled with his amazing talent and his sharp personality and wit. His spirit and his music will continue to live on through his music. Thank you all for your support and thoughts."

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:15 PM GMT 11/01/2010

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Mick will be sadly missed!

Posted by Kevin at 7:11 PM GMT 11/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Very sad! The Pirates at Dingwalls 1977 still the best I've ever seen. I could not hear for 2 weeks.....
Telecaster/Marshall sound drove peoplecrazy!
RIP Mick!

Posted by Bobby String at 7:30 PM GMT 11/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Yep agree...Cheltenham Town Hall Autumn 1977....awesome...went along not knowing a thing about The Pirates...thought they must be a punk band so I went....Jeez! came away with the album under my arm well happy ! RIP Mick...

Posted by Bob Smith at 10:58 PM GMT 11/01/2010 Report Abuse

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says, RIP Mick Green, so sad to hear he is gone and and myself and my band Stupidity will deeply miss this fantastic guitar-man, gentleman and friend.

Tommy / Stupidity in Stockholm

Posted by Anonymous at 11:52 PM GMT 11/01/2010 Report Abuse

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First live band I ever saw ( on 11th anniversary of j.kidds passing ) the most thrilling sound I ever heard (custom telecaster through those glorious marshalls) and ,throughout the years of numerous backstage meetings,Mick Green was always an easy going guy who liked to get talking to the genuine enthusiasts,never forgot a face and remained modestly reluctant when it came to discussing his own reputation and skills.A true gentleman,he no doubt inspired many, like myself, to want to play guitar who`d had no inclination to ever play an instrument before.A tragic loss to his family ,friends and the music world.

Posted by jonathan mcgiven at 12:26 AM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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One of my favorite guitar players ever... A true inspiration. Here in the U.S. where the Pirates were not as well known, Mick was one of r&r's best kept secrets. RIP. - Andy

Posted by Anonymous at 1:05 AM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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What a shame, one of England's finest and most unique guitarists along with Beck, Page, and Clapton .
Thank God I saw him a few times, Colchester on the '77 tour undoubtably a high point, raw and rockin'.
God bless mate, God bless Rock'n'Roll.

Posted by Terence Ruffle at 8:24 AM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Truly saddend by this news. We still have the music, thanks for making such wonderful records. RIP.

Posted by Alwills at 8:31 AM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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You were the best of our time, ( Star-Club Hamburg ) we will miss you so badly.

Posted by Hans Heyer at 10:12 AM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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I was indirectly related to Mick through my ex wife and remember and often relate his stories about being on the road, being billed above the sones & the beatles. He made me laugh telling me how one day he was on Blackpool pier in the rain and the next waking up in Frank Sinatras suite in Hawaii now a member of The Pirates. Mick was a funny and nice guy.
Paul S

Posted by Anonymous at 12:58 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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I was indirectly related to Mick through my ex wife and remember and often relate his stories about being on the road, being billed above the sones & the beatles. He made me laugh telling me how one day he was on Blackpool pier in the rain and the next waking up in Frank Sinatras suite in Hawaii now a member of The Pirates. Mick was a funny and nice guy.
Paul S

Posted by Paul Samuel at 12:58 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Hi Bob.

I was at that one as well! Changed my life forever - and I STILL can't play All In It Together properly!

Posted by Kevin at 2:09 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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He gave a lot of us blokes a lot of joy and excitement. First time up supporting Eddie and the Hot Rods at the Roundhouse 76, he was astonishing. Last time at the Half Moon in 2005 thrilling loads of geezers down the front. And Paul McCartney knew too, it was a thrill to see him at the Cavern for the Run Devil Run show.Thoughts are with his wife and sons- see his website, there are nice comments on there from other musicians

Posted by Howlin Pete at 5:08 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Awww F*ck, this is bad news.

The Pirates are one of the greatest live bands I ever saw, even if the studio never did them justice.

A big influence of Wilko Johnson and Dr Feelgood, and wrote a few of songs with a Mr A. Lancaster, who used to reside in this parish.

Often introduced You Don't Own Me. on stage,as "A song written for Status Quo" before blasting into Caroline....then stopped dead and played a version of You Don't Own Me that ripped the head off of Quo's version and crapped down it's still bleeding throat!!!

He will be missed.

RIP Mick Green.

Posted by Colin Price at 8:05 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Awww F*ck, this is bad news.

The Pirates are one of the greatest live bands I ever saw, even if the studio never did them justice.

A big influence of Wilko Johnson and Dr Feelgood, and wrote a few of songs with a Mr A. Lancaster, who used to reside in this parish.

Often introduced You Don't Own Me. on stage,as "A song written for Status Quo" before blasting into Caroline....then stopped dead and played a version of You Don't Own Me that ripped the head off of Quo's version and crapped down it's still bleeding throat!!!

He will be missed.

RIP Mick Green.

Posted by Colin Price at 8:09 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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You'll find loads of fantastics photos of Mick, John and Frank over the past 50 years plus links to video clips of Mick discussing hios life on The Pirates website www.thepirates.co.uk

regards
Ray aka The Big Bloke

Posted by Ray at 10:12 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Mick will be sadly missed,one of my guitar heros along with wilko johnson,a totally unique style,no hiding behind a bank of pedals,just good raw british r&b,it was a pleasure to attend pirates gigs.r.i.p.

Posted by jeff chapman.the roosters. at 10:20 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Mick will be sadly missed,one of my guitar heros along with wilko johnson,a totally unique style,no hiding behind a bank of pedals,just good raw british r&b,it was a pleasure to attend pirates gigs.r.i.p.

Posted by jeff chapman.the roosters. at 10:21 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Mick will be sadly missed,one of my guitar heros along with wilko johnson,a totally unique style,no hiding behind a bank of pedals,just good raw british r&b,it was a pleasure to attend pirates gigs.r.i.p.

Posted by jeff chapman.the roosters. at 10:21 PM GMT 12/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Yes this is terribly sad news and it is good to see so many people fondly remembering what a blisteringly ace guitarist Mick was as well as being a major influence on Wilko and the Feelgoods.
Saw him twice with the Pirates in late 70's (at Tiffany's Edinburgh) and they were amazing gigs. Now then can some of our so called news websites etc perhaps let the wider public be made aware of his passing and just how bloody good he was compared to some of today's "musicians"

Posted by alan reid at 11:04 AM GMT 13/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Came to The Pirates late -- about 1978 or '79 -- with their first two US albums. Genious, pure, gut-bustin' rock-and-gimme-more. Loved everything live. Sorely envy all you Brits who saw them but have enjoyed the You Tube postings over the few years.

There are no words that capture his guitar excitation. From these postings, it seems he was a likeable fellow too.

Hope there are fitting tributes to him from the Brit press.

Very sorry.

Posted by Charlie Pickett at 2:34 PM GMT 13/01/2010 Report Abuse

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RE: alan reid

"Blisteringly ace guitarist" indeed, Alan. The real world lost a little color yesterday.

Posted by Charlie Pickett at 3:06 PM GMT 13/01/2010 Report Abuse

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We at the Eel Pie Club always enjoyed Mick Green's guest appearances at the Club in Twickenham, where he played with the Art Wood All Stars, Ronnie Wood and others.
Mick Green was one of the great guitarists, and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family.

Posted by The Eel Pie Club at 2:48 AM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Legendary is an over used term but in Micks case it is entirely appropriate. That is why greats like McCartney & Morrison turned to him but I also remember him fondly in the excellent Pirates & Shanghai. In the mid 70's when I was 15 I helped out after school and on Saturdays in a local Hi Fi & Electrical store that also sold amplification equipment. Mick walked in & I recognised him instantly. I wasn't exactly a shy lad but I couldn't speak. I knew eaxctly who he was and I rated him right up there with Beck, Clapton, Page & Kossoff and his name sake Peter Green. These guys were my heroes. When he returned the following day to collect his purchases I sheepishly asked him to autograph an album. I saw him play live many times after that and he was always great. God Bless Him. Heaven just gained a great asset to its house band!

Posted by Dominic Malvern at 6:03 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Legendary is an over used term but in Micks case it is entirely appropriate. That is why greats like McCartney & Morrison turned to him but I also remember him fondly in the excellent Pirates & Shanghai. In the mid 70's when I was 15 I helped out after school and on Saturdays in a local Hi Fi & Electrical store that also sold amplification equipment. Mick walked in & I recognised him instantly. I wasn't exactly a shy lad but I couldn't speak. I knew eaxctly who he was and I rated him right up there with Beck, Clapton, Page & Kossoff and his name sake Peter Green. These guys were my heroes. When he returned the following day to collect his purchases I sheepishly asked him to autograph an album. I saw him play live many times after that and he was always great. God Bless Him. Heaven just gained a great asset to its house band!

Posted by Dominic Malvern at 7:09 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Legendary is an over used term but in Micks case it is entirely appropriate. That is why greats like McCartney & Morrison turned to him but I also remember him fondly in the excellent Pirates & Shanghai. In the mid 70's when I was 15 I helped out after school and on Saturdays in a local Hi Fi & Electrical store that also sold amplification equipment. Mick walked in & I recognised him instantly. I wasn't exactly a shy lad but I couldn't speak. I knew eaxctly who he was and I rated him right up there with Beck, Clapton, Page & Kossoff and his name sake Peter Green. These guys were my heroes. When he returned the following day to collect his purchases I sheepishly asked him to autograph an album. I saw him play live many times after that and he was always great. God Bless Him. Heaven just gained a great asset to its house band!

Posted by Dominic Malvern at 7:48 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

Reply to this post
Legendary is an over used term but in Micks case it is entirely appropriate. That is why greats like McCartney & Morrison turned to him but I also remember him fondly in the excellent Pirates & Shanghai. In the mid 70's when I was 15 I helped out after school and on Saturdays in a local Hi Fi & Electrical store that also sold amplification equipment. Mick walked in & I recognised him instantly. I wasn't exactly a shy lad but I couldn't speak. I knew eaxctly who he was and I rated him right up there with Beck, Clapton, Page & Kossoff and his name sake Peter Green. These guys were my heroes. When he returned the following day to collect his purchases I sheepishly asked him to autograph an album. I saw him play live many times after that and he was always great. God Bless Him. Heaven just gained a great asset to its house band!

Posted by Dominic Malvern at 8:42 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Really sad day for rock n roll he was without doubt the finest guitarist the UK has ever produced bar none. Only got to see him once a few years ago in Scarborough met him outside the gig where he was entertaing us all with stories of the road, then he went on stage and totally tore the place down.

A true gentleman who will be sadly missed.

Posted by Nick Phillips at 8:47 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Really sad day for rock n roll he was without doubt the finest guitarist the UK has ever produced bar none. Only got to see him once a few years ago in Scarborough met him outside the gig where he was entertaing us all with stories of the road, then he went on stage and totally tore the place down.

A true gentleman who will be sadly missed.

Posted by Nick Phillips at 8:50 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Really sad day for rock n roll he was without doubt the finest guitarist the UK has ever produced bar none. Only got to see him once a few years ago in Scarborough met him outside the gig where he was entertaing us all with stories of the road, then he went on stage and totally tore the place down.

A true gentleman who will be sadly missed.

Posted by Nick Phillips at 8:50 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Legendary is an over used term but in Micks case it is entirely appropriate. That is why greats like McCartney & Morrison turned to him but I also remember him fondly in the excellent Pirates & Shanghai. In the mid 70's when I was 15 I helped out after school and on Saturdays in a local Hi Fi & Electrical store that also sold amplification equipment. Mick walked in & I recognised him instantly. I wasn't exactly a shy lad but I couldn't speak. I knew eaxctly who he was and I rated him right up there with Beck, Clapton, Page & Kossoff and his name sake Peter Green. These guys were my heroes. When he returned the following day to collect his purchases I sheepishly asked him to autograph an album. I saw him play live many times after that and he was always great. God Bless Him. Heaven just gained a great asset to its house band!

Posted by Dominic Malvern at 10:25 PM GMT 14/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Was just watching all the Elvis Presley 75yrs Birthday TV stuff last Friday when Macca came on doin' a number with Mick & Dave Gilmore in the band (probably from Jools Later prog ). Hadn't see Van gig recently but reminded me what a blindin' player Mick was. Not having ever met him, just seemed to be one of those really nice self effacing characters. RIP

Posted by Andy at 1:05 AM GMT 15/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Totally gutted. I saw the Pirates years ago during the height of punk and they rocked my head off it's bloody shoulders! Fantastic band and a great, great guitarist.

Posted by John Mullin at 11:06 AM GMT 15/01/2010 Report Abuse

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I am totally gutted!! I knew Mick had been unwell but this has come right out of the blue. I want to thank Mick (and the otyher Pirates) for giving me a night I have NEVER forgotten during the height of punk - they rocked my head off its shoulders and my hearing went for a goner. Fan-bloody-tastic!!! Rest in peace Mick. Condolences to the family.

Posted by John Mullin at 11:08 AM GMT 15/01/2010 Report Abuse

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So lucky to see and hear Mick at Strathckyde Uni back in September '78. Stunning player, the UK's, and quite probably the World's first bona-fide Guitar Hero.Mick made you wany to buy a Telecaster like it is the ONLY Roxk 'n roll guitar to own. Mick remains, with Pete Townshend, the classic example of how only the very best can play that amazing and extremely difficult (I can't do it, never could) blend of simultaneous Lead/Rhythm playing which floors the Wannabees. Not a coincidence that shortly after The Pirates renaissance in 77/78 we saw Townshend switch to the Black Telecaster for three years, the same guitar he played in '64, just like Mick. When Pete was going through one of his "I won't play live with The Who anymore" phases, the mates and I would advocate that Mick Green should replace him. No-one else could have the skill and strength of personality handle that job. Oh, if only we'd had the chance to have the two of them together in The Who...

Mick Green deserves to stand not only beside the alleged "Guitar greats", but above the vast majority of them. God bless big fella, you will be sadly missed.

Posted by Michael Toal at 9:20 PM GMT 16/01/2010 Report Abuse

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So lucky to see and hear Mick at Strathclyde Uni back in September '78. Stunning player, the UK's, and quite probably the World's first bona-fide Guitar Hero.Mick made you wany to buy a Telecaster like it is the ONLY Roxk 'n roll guitar to own. Mick remains, with Pete Townshend, the classic example of how only the very best can play that amazing and extremely difficult (I can't do it, never could) blend of simultaneous Lead/Rhythm playing which floors the Wannabees. Not a coincidence that shortly after The Pirates renaissance in 77/78 we saw Townshend switch to the Black Telecaster for three years, the same guitar he played in '64, just like Mick. When Pete was going through one of his "I won't play live with The Who anymore" phases, the mates and I would advocate that Mick Green should replace him. No-one else could have the skill and strength of personality handle that job. Oh, if only we'd had the chance to have the two of them together in The Who...

Mick Green deserves to stand not only beside the alleged "Guitar greats", but above the vast majority of them. God bless big fella, you will be sadly missed.

Posted by Michael Toal at 9:24 PM GMT 16/01/2010 Report Abuse

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Unfortunately (check it out?) this isn't f Mick Green playing here.. A session guitarist called Joe Morretti played lead o 'Shakin All Over' And Alan Caddy (tornados' plays on the other. Mick joined later just berore 'I'll Never Get Over You' and 'I'll never get over you' leaving to joib Billy J Kramer's Dakotas and producing an excelent instrumental called 'Oyez'.

Jo waite

Posted by Anonymous at 2:07 PM GMT 21/01/2010 Report Abuse

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I hav an unseen silent three minutes of Fuji single eight movie of a gig he'd done at thee Cricketers (ovel) sarf London in the late eigthies. I'rv watched iit some hundreff time and even tho I nknow wherf the document is...I am selfishly not wirling to lenf/sell or brorow. It has a gentrelman on drooms aborting a stripy T-shert (I was told that night this fello had playued in numerous bands including WINGS - sir paul's five piece) and also that night on BASS - Not the PIRATES' BASSIST but a man, a monument ...a Liverpuddlian guy (I assume) who had played with the BIG-THREE of Cavern fame)...I was so glad I cld see MICK in action all in the comfy surroundings of a London pubbe...the atmosphere was electric and I was electrified for the rest of my life...I must say his death comes as a shock. I know what an influence he'd been on many six-stringers across the globing but particularly in the UKK and I'm sad to think I won't be able to cross his path ever again but his memory lives on...(and his legacy too) Goodbye Mick !

Posted by Frantic Longacres at 6:51 AM GMT 28/01/2010 Report Abuse

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In 1964 I played on the same bill as Mick ,we were the support band,and we all thought we could play until Mick Johnny and Frank started up,what a guitarist !! I talk about that gig in Ystrad Mynach to this very day! Brilliant player, Brilliant guy!
RIP Mick.

Rob Ovens

Posted by Rob Ovens at 7:41 AM GMT 01/02/2010 Report Abuse

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RE: Frantic Longacres
the bass player\frontman who stood in for johnny spence was johnny gustaffson[ex big 3]i saw then @ the jug doncaster 1990ish.. they played to a handful of people,the show they put on was so professional..felt honoured to have been there!a fellow telecaster man..so long Mick..John..Sheffield..

Posted by john whitham at 3:03 PM GMT 01/02/2010 Report Abuse

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If it wasn't for Nick Green I wouldn't be playing my guitar today...fond memories...Adi (Treacle Town)...

Posted by Adi at 10:05 AM GMT 20/03/2010 Report Abuse

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RE: Bob Smith
Yes I was there too, --- absolutely rocking, utterly brilliant sound from that Telecaster. No one could ever do it like Mick. He was my inspiration when I was fourteen years old, and bought my first electric guitar, and has been ever since.
I can't believe that I have only just read of his untimely passing and am truly shocked. You are up there with the greats now Mick, thank you for the wonderful music, --- it will live forever in my heart.God Bless and rest in peace.
Dave Long

Posted by Anonymous at 10:57 AM GMT 21/07/2010 Report Abuse

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saw the pirates comeback at woolwich poly and the marquee.think it was 77.gary moore not long after.now jet harris.they say things happen in threes.we,ve lost 3 phenomenal guitarists this year.thanks and love to them all.its an old adage but think of that orchestra in heaven.whatever that is of course.mick can now tem up with lee brilleaux.wilko will love that.and of course johnny kidd.rockers rule forever.

Posted by tony budd at 10:04 PM GMT 07/05/2011 Report Abuse

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What can I say??? loved the Pirates ....loved him !!!!

Posted by Anonymous at 8:12 AM GMT 13/09/2011 Report Abuse

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What can I say??? loved the Pirates ....loved him !!!!

Posted by Anonymous at 8:13 AM GMT 13/09/2011 Report Abuse

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