Mick Clarke

Biography

Mick Clarke, born July 12, 1950 in London, England, is a highly respected British blues guitarist and songwriter whose career has spanned over five decades. Clarke's passion for the blues was ignited as a teenager after hearing Eric Clapton, which inspired him to dedicate his life to the genre. He first gained prominence in the late 1960s as a founding member of Killing Floor, a band that became a staple of the British blues boom and backed legendary American artists such as Freddie King, Howlin' Wolf, and Otis Spann. Killing Floor released two influential albums before disbanding in the early 1970s, later reforming in the 2000s for new recordings and tours.

In the mid-1970s, Clarke co-founded the blues-rock act SALT and later played with RAMROD, collaborating with former members of Rory Gallagher's band. The early 1980s saw the formation of the Mick Clarke Band, which quickly gained a reputation across Europe and the United States for its fiery live performances and authentic blues sound. Clarke's solo career began with the album 'Looking For Trouble' and has continued with a prolific output of albums, many released on his own Rockfold label. Renowned for his raw, emotive guitar style, Clarke has performed at major festivals worldwide and shared stages with icons such as Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, Canned Heat, and Joe Bonamassa. His legacy is cemented as one of the elder statesmen of British blues, continually influencing the genre with both his recordings and live performances.

Fun Facts

• Killing Floor, Clarke's first major band, backed blues legends like Freddie King, Howlin' Wolf, and Otis Spann during their UK tours.
• Clarke's guitar sound is often described as 'straight from the wood,' emphasizing raw, unfiltered blues emotion.
• He has performed at major festivals worldwide, including Sweden Rock Festival, Reading Festival, and the Great British R&B Festival.
• Despite being semi-retired from touring, Clarke continues to record and release new music from his Rockfold Studio in Surrey, England.

Associated Acts

• The Mick Clarke Band
• Killing Floor

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Eric Clapton - Major stylistic influence; hearing Clapton as a teenager inspired Clarke's lifelong dedication to the blues. (Clapton's early blues recordings) [mid-1960s]
• Freddie King - Blues guitar legend whom Killing Floor backed on UK tours, providing direct exposure to Texas blues. (Live performances with Killing Floor) [late 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Killing Floor - Founding member and guitarist; band was central to Clarke's early career and later reunions. (Killing Floor (1969), Out of Uranus (1970), Zero Tolerance (2004)) [1968–1972, 2002–present]
• Stevie Smith - Co-founder of SALT, a blues-rock act popular on the London scene. (SALT live performances, The Cobra’s Melodies (2011, archival release)) [mid-1970s]
• Lou Martin and Rod De'Ath - Collaborated in RAMROD, a blues-rock band with ex-Rory Gallagher Band members. (RAMROD live performances) [late 1970s]
• The Mick Clarke Band - Leader and guitarist; performed and recorded extensively with various lineups. (Looking For Trouble (1984), Rock Me (1985), All These Blues (1987), Steel And Fire (1989), Tell The Truth (1991)) [1983–present]

Artists Influenced

• British and European blues guitarists - Clarke's style and career longevity have inspired a new generation of blues musicians, particularly in the UK and Europe. (Numerous festival appearances and collaborations) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Walking in the Dark (Classic Cuts)
2. New Star over Texas (Classic Cuts)
3. Gypsy Blues (Roll Again)
4. Cheap (Classic Cuts)
5. Banker's Blues
6. Drink Muddy Water
7. Don't Go No Further!
8. In the Dark
9. Don't Start Me Talkin' (Mozelle)
10. Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Big Wheel)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz