boogie-woogie @ temperance | Mike Sanchez "RnB legend"

British singer and pianist Mike Sanchez is one of the most exciting and charismatic performers in the world of rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll. His indelible image as a frenetic front man, pumping powerful boogie-woogie from the piano in a soaking suit, has won him fans from all over the world and attracted a following from many famous rock and blues legends who have lined up to work with him.

Mike Sanchez was born in London to Spanish parents in 1964. At the age of eleven, his family moved to Worcestershire in the West Midlands where Mike took up the piano, developing a strong love for 1950s' American roots music through his high school years. As a teenager he taught himself guitar and formed The Rockets, a rockabilly trio.

Shortly after, Mike was introduced to former Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown and Steve Gibbons' multi-instrumentalist Andy Silvester by Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, which led to the founding of the Big Town Playboys in 1984, specialising in authentic post-war Rhythm & Blues.

Procol Harum pianist Gary Brooker became an early fan and introduced Mike to his friends Eric Clapton and Amen Corner's Andy Fairweather-Low. The latter signed up as guitarist with the Big Town Playboys for two years in the 1990s. Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood is another good friend who has regularly involved Mike in his plans wherever possible.

The Big Town Playboys had various stints opening for Eric Clapton at London's Royal Albert Hall and appeared at many European music festivals, backing bluesmen like Lowell Fulson, Don & Dewey, Lonnie Brooks, Joe Hughes, Jimmy Nelson, Carey Bell and many more shows with pianist Little Willie Littlefield who became a big influence on Mike..

Mike recorded several albums with The Big Town Playboys between 1985 and 1998 including the classic Gene Vincent/Cliff Gallup tribute album 'Crazy Legs' with guitar-legend Jeff Beck in 1993.

In 2000 Mike went solo and began several touring and recording projects involving different UK line-ups, though the following year he was invited to spend four years as a full-time member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, fronting the band alongside Georgie Fame, Beverly Skeete, Albert Lee, Andy Fairweather-Low and Eddie Floyd on their annual tours across Europe. The Rhythm Kings released their album ‘Just for a Thrill’ and a DVD entitled ‘Let the Good Times Roll’, both featuring Mike’s extensive role as a member of the ex-Rolling Stones bassist’s touring band.

In 2003 Mike released a debut 2-hour DVD titled 'Red Hot …Live!' featuring live shows of his 4 and 7-piece band and The Mike Sanchez Rhythm & Blues Revue, a Johnny Otis 1950s style show starring doo-wop vocal trio The Extraordinaires and Dublin vocalist Imelda May who shortly thereafter became a household name.

In December 2007 Mike was invited to appear as a guest vocalist with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings at one of the most publicised musical events of the decade - the Led Zeppelin reunion at London's O2 Arena, a tribute to the memory of the late Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records. Mike performed alongside such soul legends as Solomon Burke, Ben E King, Percy Sledge and Sam Moore.

Another highlight during that period was Mike alongside Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Albert Lee and Dave Gilmour performing Elvis songs with his original guitarist Scotty Moore, filmed live at Abbey Road Studio, London for a DVD titled A Tribute To The King by Scotty Moore & Friends.

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