Mitch Perry (musician)

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Not to be confused with Mitchell Perry.
Mitch Perry
Perry with Asia featuring John Payne in 2009
Perry with Asia featuring John Payne in 2009
Background information
Birth nameMitch Perry Brownstein
Born (1961-07-03) July 3, 1961 (age 62)
New York City, New York, U.S.
OriginFlorida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • producer
  • racecar driver
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • keyboards
  • vocals
Years active1979–present
Member ofMitch Perry Band
Formerly of
Websitemitchperrygroup.com

Mitch Perry Brownstein[1] (born July 3, 1961)[2][3] is an American guitarist, keyboardist and record producer, best known for playing with artists including Alphonso Johnson, Michael Schenker, Edgar Winter, Lita Ford, The Sweet, Asia, Cher, Talas and Steeler.[4]

Early life[edit]

Perry was born in New York City, between 1971 and 1974, Perry lived in Fulham, London and went to Westminster City School, after that the family moved to Florida.[1] Perry started playing guitar when he lived in England, he was initially taught by his mom who showed him a few chords,[1] he first got motived to play the instrument from a boy at his school.[1] He played guitar along to Top of the Pops, including to "Rubber Bullets" by 10cc.[1]

Career[edit]

Perry was a member of a band called The Kids with Bruce Witkin (later of the Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp) when he was 14. When Perry got his first gig in California, Depp replaced him in the band.[5][6][1] Perry moved to California to play with Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana) after being recommended by Pat Thrall who liked his style of playing,[1] in that band he played with Vinny Appice,[7] who would join Black Sabbath. The trio apparently recorded an album that was two weeks away from release before the A&R department at Electra was fired and the album was shelved.[1] Perry briefly played in DuBrow, a spin off of Quiet Riot after Randy Rhodes left to join Ozzy Osbourne, with Kevin DuBrow, Rudy Sarzo and Drew Forsyth.[1] He replaced Greg Leon for a few shows, before joining Glenn Hughes after being recommended by Ronnie James Dio. Perry was responsible for connecting Hughes with Pat Thrall to create the Hughes/Thrall project.[1]

Following his stint with Hughes he played with Steeler with Ron Keel, replacing Yngwie Malmsteen.[8] He was noticed by Billy Sheehan and joined his band Talas,[1] appearing on live album Live Speed on Ice (1984).[9] He joined Australian band Heaven in 1984,[8] he played on their album Knockin' on Heaven's Door, on which he also played keyboards.[1]

During this time Perry appeared as a guest in several works by artists such as Faster Pussycat,[1] Keel,[1] Frankie Miller[10] and Graham Nash.[1] In 1987 he joined McAuley Schenker Group, with German guitar virtuoso Michael Schenker and former Grand Prix vocalist Robin McAuley, replacing Steve Mann on guitar and keyboards.[11][12][13] He played rhythm and lead guitar as well as backing vocals on the bands debut album, Perfect Timing. With McAuley Schenker he toured alongside Def Leppard[14] and Whitesnake.[15] He left the band in 1988 and was replaced by the returning Mann.[16]

Perry (far right) at Ultimate Jam in 2018.

Perry was guitarist for Cher, he got the Cher gig after she decided that the person she had auditioned, she didn't like. A friend of his who was in her band recommended him, he toured for the 'Heart Of Stone' tour.[1][17] Before going on tour with Cher he joined David Lee Roth's band as a replacement for Steve Vai for two weeks.[18][1] After touring with Cher he formed a supergroup with Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot) and Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, House of Lords) the project also included Rich Carlton and Matt Abts on drums and Michael Guy and Steve Fister on guitar who all contributed to the bands self titled album,[19] which was later re-issued as No, No, Nikkie with drummer James Kottak also contributing.[20] Badd Boyz morphed into 7% Solution with Shortino being replaced by Ralph Saenz (Steel Panther, L.A. Guns).[10]

In 1994 Mitch joined Edgar Winter, after collaborating with the well-known drummer Carmine Appice in a project with which he participated in a tour called 'Super Rock Session' in Japan. He played with Winter for over eight years, playing with former Winter guitarist Rick Derringer and Ronnie Montrose.[1] Perry left Winter in 2001 to become a full time racing car driver.[1] Winter played saxophone on Perry's first solo album Wire To Wire (1996).

Perry (right; background) with Lita Ford in 2012.

In 2009, Perry joined Asia featuring John Payne, an offshoot of progressive rock band Asia by bassist and singer John Payne. He replaced Guthrie Govan,[21] and continued to tour with the band until August 2011 when he was replaced by former Racer X, guitarist Bruce Bouillet.[22] During the 2010s he was a member if former Runaways guitarist, Lita Ford's band, appearing on her live album The Bitch Is Back ... Live,[23] In 2014 he left Lita Ford[24] and joined The Sweet with founding member Steve Priest,[25] a band which he continued to tour with until Priest's death in June 2020.[26] In 2016 he joined Bobby Blotzer's Ratt as lead guitarist, the band at the time featured Blotzer on drums, Perry on lead guitar, Stacey Blades (L.A. Guns) on rhythm guitar, Brad Lang (Y&T) on bass and Joshua Alan on vocals.[27] Perry toured with Blotzer's Ratt until they dispanded in 2017.[28]

Perry also tours with his solo band the Mitch Perry Group, which includes Keith England, Shelly Bonet and Kara Turner, who front the band, drummer Tal Bergman, bassist Dan McNay and keyboardist Ed Roth.[29]

Discography[edit]

Solo[edit]

  • Wire to Wire (1996)
  • Better Late Than Never (1998)
  • Music Box (2020)
Year Artist Title Notes
1984 Talas Live Speed On Ice guitar
1985 Heaven Knockin' On Heaven's Door guitar
1986 Frankie Miller Dancing In The Rain guitar[30]
Keel The Final Frontier guitar on "Tears Of Fire"[31]
1987 McAuley Schenker Group Perfect Timing guitar
Faster Pussycat Faster Pussycat special appearance on "Babylon"[32]
Steve Goodman Unfinished Business electric guitar on "Don't Get Sand In It"[33]
1988 Steeler Undercover Animal solo on "Knock Me Out"[34]
1989 Talas, Billy Sheehan Billy Sheehan: The Talas Years guitar and vocals
1993 Black Bart Bootleg Breakout additional guitar
1994 James Christian Rude Awakening guitar on "Pleasure & Pain"
Badd Boyz Badd Boyz guitar
1999 various Little Guitars - A Tribute To Van Halen performance alongside David Glen Eisley, Eric Singer and Marco Mendoza on "Little Guitars"[35]
2000 A Tribute To Queen - We Will Rock You guitar on "I Want It All (Julian Beeston Remix)" with Robin McAuley on vocals.[36]
Michael Schenker Into The Arena 1972-1995 (Highlights & Overtures) guitar on "Here Today-Gone Tomorrow" and "Gimme Your Love" from Perfect Timing[37]
2009 Edgar Winter Winter Blues guitar on all tracks[38]
2010 Erik Norlander The Galactic Collective guest guitar[39]
2011 Lisa LaRue 2KX Fast and Blue lead guitar[40]
2013 Lita Ford The Bitch Is Back... Live guitar
2014 Various The Loner 2 − A Tribute To Jeff Beck guitar on "Your Beckoned Call"
2015 Cherie Currie Reverie lead guitar on "Shades Of Me"
2022 Talas 1985 special guest guitar on "Crystal Clear"

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Milligan, Glenn (August 24, 2016). "An Interview with Mitch Perry, Guitarist of many artists that include Cher, MSG & Edgar Winter!". www.metalliville.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  2. ^ "Mitch Perry | Los Angeles Music Awards". Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. ^ "The Metal Realm - Happy Birthday to guitarist, MITCH PERRY! (born on July 3rd, 1961 - in Davie, Florida). Guitarist, songwriter, performed in/with: #Debrow, #Talas, #Steeler, #Keel, #Heaven, #McAuleySchenkerGroup, #BadBoyz, #LitaFord, #EdgarWinter, #SoloArtist, #StevePriestsSweet, #MitchPerryGroup The Mitch Perry Group released a new CD ("Music Box") in 2021. #MitchPerry | Facebook". www.facebook.com. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  4. ^ "Mitch Perry | Linkedin". Linkedin. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Rare Photographs of Johnny Depp With His Band "The Kids" From the Early 1980s". Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  6. ^ "Johnny Depp - Famous Person: THE KIDS". Johnny Depp - Famous Person. 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  7. ^ GRAHAM, SAMUEL; SUTHERLAND, SAM (1980-05-24). "The Coast | Record World | May 24, 1980" (PDF). Record World. p. 21. Retrieved 10 August 2023. bass player Alphonso Johnson and [Carmine] Appice's brother Vinnie, who plays in Johnson's band
  8. ^ a b Dean, Mark (2020-05-04). "Interview: Mitch Perry". Antihero Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  9. ^ Live Speed On Ice (liner notes). Combat Records. 1984. MX8005.
  10. ^ a b Diggins, Mark (2020-06-16). "INTERVIEW: Mitch Perry (Mitch Perry Group, The Sweet)". The Rockpit. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  11. ^ Carlson, Taylor T. (2013). HAIRcyclopedia Vol. 2: The Vault. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1300687559. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Music Now!" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 38. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: The Hard Report, Inc. 24 July 1987. p. 31. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  13. ^ Olivier (2020-04-09). "Guitarist Mitch Perry recalls how he ended up playing on MSG's 'Perfect Timing' album - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  14. ^ "Def Leppard - Hysteria 1988 Special Guest: McAuley Schenker Group Tour Scarf". tshirtslayer.com. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  15. ^ "McAuley-Schenker Group | Guestspectacular".
  16. ^ Roser, Philipp (21 October 1989). "MSG At Their Hard Rocking Best" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 42. London, England: EMR Publishing. p. 12. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  17. ^ Mitch Perry with Cher - I'm No Angel, retrieved 2023-08-10
  18. ^ Olivier (2020-06-24). "Mitch Perry reveals that he replaced Steve Vai in David Lee Roth's solo band for about two weeks - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  19. ^ Badd Boyz (liner notes). Brunette. 1994. ALCB-3016.
  20. ^ No, No, Nikkie (liner notes). DDR Music Group. 2021. DDR161.
  21. ^ "ASIA Featuring John Payne official biography". ASIA Featuring John Payne. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  22. ^ "ASIA Featuring John Payne Welcomes Grammy®-Winning Guitarist Bruce Bouillet on Summer Live Dates", Asia Featuring John Payne press release, August 9, 2011
  23. ^ The Bitch Is Back ... Live (liner notes). Steamhammer Records. 2013. SMHCD260672.
  24. ^ Mosqueda, Ruben (2020-05-23). "Interview with Mitch Perry Group and ex-Ratt (Bobby Blotzer's version) guitarist Mitch Perry - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  25. ^ "The Sweet - Sweet is thrilled to welcome Mitch Perry into..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  26. ^ Diggins, Mark (2020-06-16). "INTERVIEW: Mitch Perry (Mitch Perry Group, The Sweet)". The Rockpit. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  27. ^ "BOBBY BLOTZER's RATT Adds Guitarist MITCH PERRY, Bassist BRAD LANG". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2016-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  28. ^ "Former Singer For BOBBY BLOTZER's RATT Says Drummer Is 'Full Of S**t'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  29. ^ "About - MITCH PERRY GROUP". Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  30. ^ Dancing In The Rain (liner notes). Mercury Records. 1986. 422-826 647-1 M-1.
  31. ^ The Final Frontier (liner notes). Gold Mountain Records. 1986. VIL-28020.
  32. ^ Faster Pussycat (liner notes). Elektra Records. 1987. 9 60730-1.
  33. ^ Unfinished Business (liner notes). Red Pajamas Records. 1987. RPJ 005.
  34. ^ Undercover Animal (liner notes). Steamhammer Records. 1988. SPV 08-7510.
  35. ^ Little Guitars - A Tribute To Van Halen (liner notes). Shrapnel Records. 1999. SH-11432.
  36. ^ A Tribute To Queen - We Will Rock You (liner notes). Cleopatra Records. 2000. CDMGRAM 130.
  37. ^ Into The Arena 1972-1995 (Highlights & Overtures) (liner notes). Raven Records. 2000. RVCD-110.
  38. ^ Winter Blues (liner notes). Irond. 2009. IROND CD 09-K076.
  39. ^ The Galactic Collective (liner notes). Think Tank Media. 2010. TTMD-1054.
  40. ^ Fast and Blue (liner notes). Nightmare Records. 2011. 67201.
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