- Michael Blakey
-
Michael Blakey 
Background information Birth name Michael Ian Blakey Born 8 December 1958
London, EnglandGenres Alternative, Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, R & B, Country Occupations Producer, Songwriter, Musician, Promoter Instruments Drums, Percussion Labels 2KSounds/Virgin Records, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Platinum Records, Big Bear Music, EMI Associated acts Level 42, Tears for Fears, Tidal Force, Engelbert Humperdinck, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Brooke Allison, Gloria Gaynor Michael Blakey was born on December 8, 1958 in London, England.[1] He is a musician, record producer, composer, songwriter, arranger, and music promoter; noted for his drumming talent and for producing and promoting some of the most successful artists in the world.[2] (sometimes Blakey is incorrectly credited as Michael Blakely, Mike Blakely, or Mike Blakey) Blakey has worked with many superstar artists including: Tears for Fears, Dire Straits, Gloria Gaynor, Coolio, Akwid, Mary J. Blige, No Doubt, Mila Mason, 2Pac, Eminem, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Engelbert Humperdinck, Brooke Allison, Bob Carlisle, Michelle Wright and many others.[3] He is also known for his songwriting talents and penned such hit songs as "Will to Power" and "Perfect Chemistry".[4] Over his career he has created three record labels, been nominated for 5 Grammys, has been awarded 63 gold and platinum records and is attributed with sales of in excess of 100 million albums.
Blakey was the former head of A&R for Atco Records, co-creator of Platinum Records and Platinum Promotions, as well as co-founder of 2KSounds, which later merged with Virgin Records, and Blakey was made President of the Music Division.[5]
Contents
Career - Early Life
Michael Blakey started his musical career playing drums; from a very early age he expressed an interest in being a drummer. He asked his parents for a drum set at the age of 5; they initially refused, so he improvised with a set of cookie cans. When he was 10, Blakey was one of the very few accepted for tutelage under Buddy Rich.
Moving to Spain with his family at the age of 15, he continued his education and became fluent in Spanish. Later he became a studio mainstay at Sonoland in Madrid, where he performed with artists such as Julio Iglesias and Luis Miguel and went on to produce some of Europe's top acts, including Radio Cadena Española and Phlox.
His career then moved to Germany (a language in which he is fluent) where he was the in-house producer at Hansa Tonstudio Berlin, producing such hits as Kreuzberger Nächte, Yes and Fever.
Career - Later life
Michael Blakey spent a few years between the United States and Europe where he continued his passion for music both by performing as a drummer and as a producer. After enjoying success as a drummer with artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Tears for Fears, Blakey became a drummer for the European rock band Tidal Force. The group became famous for the hits “Station to Station” and “A Man Rides Through” and also the big hair each member sported.
Blakey moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s and co-founded Big Bear Music with Jon Hey (deceased). This promotion company worked with such artists as Richard Marx, Steelheart, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Tupac, and many others. Blakey then started Platinum Records and Platinum Promotions (an independent record label/production and promotions company), producing such artists as Waylon Jennings, John Berry, Englebert Humperdinck, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, Bob Carlisle and promoting artists such a Nine Inch Nails, Erykah Badu, Brian McKnight, Mary J. Blige, to name a few. Platinum was later acquired by the Universal group of companies. During his time at Platinum, Blakey – enlisting the help of forensic scientists – developed the technology for Forensic Frequency Separation Software. This revolutionary technique enabled the creation of the Patsy Cline “Duets” album by allowing a current artist to sing along with the original artist.[6] It was the ability to extract a vocal from a mono track by lifting the individual frequencies within the vocal and keeping it intact. Once extracted, it could be treated as a conventional vocal recording and be placed onto a separate track in a contemporary recording format.
In 1998, Blakey co-founded 2KSounds, which merged in 2002 with Virgin Records.[7] The great artists produced by this label were the likes of Coolio, Sam Moore, Disney’s Cinderella II movie, Mad West, Air Supply and Brooke Allison. Blakey was President of the Music Division, until the label was purchased by Big Interactive in 2003.[8]
In early 2009, Blakey teamed up with comedian Ron White (Tater Salad, Blue Collar Comedy Tour) to form Organica Music Group (distributed by Universal Music).[9] This music company (which also produces films and TV) has teamed up with artists such as Margo Rey, Gladys Knight (Gladys Knight and the Pips), and Crystal Harris.[10]
Notable Extras
Blakey’s other passions include cars and airplanes. After moving back to England from Spain in the early ‘80s, Blakey purchased a Porsche dealership. After enjoying its success, he was approached by the Italian car company, Maserati, about owning a dealership in England. Blakey saw opportunity in the ailing car company and instead, offered to take it over.[11] Along with three other partners, Blakey purchased the company and acted as Managing Director of Maserati UK LTD.[12] It was later sold to Chrysler (Chrysler Motor Corporation).
Years later, as a hobby Blakey joined Pylon International Inc. (as co-owner), a private jet company focused on a service oriented approach to luxury jet management, chartering and brokerage based out of Van Nuys, Calif. Pylon was later acquired by IJM Holdings Corporation, the parent company of IJM, in August 2007.[13]
Awards
Michael Blakey has been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards and has won Melody Maker Producer of the Year (Melody Maker is the European equivalent of the Grammys). He has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Production, Promotion and Marketing in the Entertainment Industry.[14] He has been honored for outstanding achievement by former president George H. W. Bush. Blakey also has been named promotion “Man of the Year” by Music Beat in 1995. Blakey is a Fellow member of the British Board of Motor Industries. Blakey was also given the distinction of Honorary Deputy Sheriff in Florida from both Hillsborough and Pasco Counties for outstanding service to the communities.[15]
Michael Blakey was named as one of the "20 Sexiest Musicians in the World" by Melody Maker magazine in the mid 90's as well as was listed in the "Top 10 Sexiest Musicians of All Time" in 1996 by Euro Music magazine. [16]
Drums and Other Equipment
Blakey before a performance, 1995
Michael Blakey uses Mapex Drums and Sabian Cymbals. Drums: Bass Drum 22”x18” Floor Tom 18”x16” Floor Tom 16”x16” Mounted Toms 15”x15”, 14”x14”, 12”x”8” Snare 14”x5”
Cymbals: HH Medium Crash 20" HH Thin Crash 16" Hi-Hats 14" HH Chinese 22" HH Medium-Thin Crash 16" HH Medium Ride 22"
Until 1998, Blakey played Paiste and Zildjian Cymbals. Other drums he has used over the years are Premier, Simmons (electronic drum company) and Ludwig drums. He uses DW kick pedals, Vater custom made drum sticks, and Attack Drum Heads.
References
1. IMDB (2011). “Michael Blakey”. Retrieved on 2011-06-08 from imdb.com [1]
2. BroadCast Music Inc. (BMI) (2009). “Repertoire: Blakey, Michael I.” Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-05 from bmi.com [2]
3. Digital Vision Media (2007). “Michelle Wright Full Career Bio”. Retrieved on 2009-02-04 from michelle-wright.com [3]
4. BroadCast Music Inc. (BMI) (2009). “Repertoire: Blakey, Michael I.” Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-05 from bmi.com [4]
5. Business Wire (2002). ”2KSounds Benefits from Substantial Music Industry Experience and Reputation of Staff”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-15 from Allbusiness.com [5]
6. IMDB (Internet Movie Database) (2009). “Michael Blakey Resume”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-20 from IMDb.com [6]
7. About.com; The New York Times Company (2009). “Country Music: Patsy Cline Duet Album”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-02-03 from countrymusic.about.com [7]
8. PR Newswire (2009). “2KSounds Announces Change in Ownership”. Retrieved on 2009-05-05 from hispanicbusiness.com [8]
9. Zoom Information Inc. (2009). “Mr. Michael Blakey: British Board of Motor Industries”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-22 from zoominfo.com [9]
10. Market Wire (2010). “Comedian Ron White and Acclaimed Music Producer Michael Blakey Partner to Form Organica Music Group; Invests $1MM”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved 2010-06-06 from marketwire.com [10]
11. PCM Music (2010). “Organica Music Group Signs the Girls Next Door Star Crystal Harris”. Open Source Iniative. Retrieved 2010-06-09 from pmc-music.com. [11]
12. Zoom Information Inc. (2009). “Mr. Michael Blakey: British Board of Motor Industries”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-22 from zoominfo.com [12]
13. Cambridge Who’s Who Publishing (2009). “Michael Blakey Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Production, Promotion and Marketing in the Entertainment Industry”. Retrieved on 2009-04-01 from 24-7pressrelease.com [13]
14. Zoom Information Inc. (2009). “Mr. Michael Blakey: British Board of Motor Industries”. Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-22 from zoominfo.com [14]
15. Cambridge Who’s Who Publishing (2009). “Michael Blakey Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Production, Promotion and Marketing in the Entertainment Industry”. Retrieved on 2009-04-01 from 24-7pressrelease.com [15]
16. Michael Blakey Website (2009). "Michael Blakey's Blog". Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-10 from michaelblakey.com [16]
17. Macrovision Corporation (2009). “Michael Blakey Discography, Credits.” Open Source Initiative. Retrieved on 2009-04-15 from AllMusic.com [17]
Notes
- ^ IMDB. "Michael Blakey". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3219778/.
- ^ BMI. "Repertoire: Blakey Michael". http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=BMI&cae=245285463&keyID=520255&keyname=BLAKEY%20MICHAEL%20I&querytype=WriterID.
- ^ "Michelle Wright: Full Career Bio". http://www.michelle-wright.com/fullcareerbio.html.
- ^ BMI. "Repertiore: Blakey Michael". http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=BMI&cae=245285463&keyID=520255&keyname=BLAKEY%20MICHAEL%20I&querytype=WriterID.
- ^ AllBusiness. "2KSounds Benefits From Substantial Music Industry Experience and Reputation of Staff". http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/movies-sound-recording-record/5883361-1.html.
- ^ About.com. "Country Music: Patsy Cline Duets". http://countrymusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa080299.htm.
- ^ HispanicBusinessMagazine. "2KSounds Announces Change in Ownership". http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2003/3/28/2ksounds_announces_change_in_ownership.htm.
- ^ ZoomInfo. "Michael Blakey: British Board Motor Industries". http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Blakey_Michael_59000838.aspx.
- ^ Marketwire. "Comedian Ron White and Acclaimed Music Producer Michael Blakey Partner to Form Organica Music Group; Invests $1MM". http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Comedian-Ron-White-Acclaimed-Music-Producer-Michael-Blakey-Partner-Form-Organica-Music-1267639.htm.
- ^ "Organica Music Group Signs The Girls Next Door Star Crystal Harris". http://pcm-music.com/2010/06/organica-music-group-signs-the-girls-next-door-star-crystal-harris/.
- ^ ZoomInfo. "Michael Blakey: British Board Motor Industries". http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Blakey_Michael_59000838.aspx.
- ^ 24-7 Press Release. "Michael Blakey Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who Excellence in Production, Promotion, Marketing in Entertainment Industry". http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/michael-blakey-recognized-by-cambridge-whos-whofor-excellence-in-production-promotion-and-marketing-in-the-entertainment-industry-60819.php.
- ^ ZoomInfo. "Michael Blakey: British Board Motor Industries". http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Blakey_Michael_59000838.aspx.
- ^ 24-7 Press Release. "Michael Blakey Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who Excellence in Production, Promotion, Marketing in Entertainment Industry". http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/michael-blakey-recognized-by-cambridge-whos-whofor-excellence-in-production-promotion-and-marketing-in-the-entertainment-industry-60819.php.
- ^ MichaelBlakey.com. "Michael Blakey's Blog". http://www.michaelblakey.com/.
- ^ IMDB. "Michael Blakey Trivia". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3219778/bio#trivia.
External links
Categories:- Living people
- English record producers
- People from London
- 1958 births
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