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Michael Schenker Group to Lita Ford
Guitarist
Mitch Perry has spent the last 25 years working alongside some
of the most renowned and popular musicians in the world. Through
his recording and touring experience with such popular and diverse
acts ranging from the Michael Schenker Group to Cher, Mitch has
accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge and experience that has
inevitably led to him fronting his own projects. Be it via his
guitar playing or even when singing lead vocals, as he is finally
doing on his third solo release (due out by the end of 2004),
Mitch is poised to become a star in his own right. Mitch was
flown out to Los Angeles at the tender age of 18 by virtuoso
Weather Report and Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson in January
of 1980. When finished with that project Mitch replaced Randy
Rhoads of Quiet Riot in the renamed DuBrow, but quickly left
that band when offered the chance to work with Deep Purple's
Glenn Hughes.
After
the Hughes affiliation Mitch replaced Yngwie Malmsteen
in Steeler where bassist Billy Sheehan spotted him and
subsequently asked him to record "Live Speed on Ice" with Talas. From there
Mitch segued to CBS recording act Heaven where one of the
highlights of that association was the recording of MTV
favorite "Knocking on Heavens Door". The band
also toured the U.S. and Canada exstensively in response
to the massive airplay that the single recieved. During
this period he also guested on albums by Faster Pussycat,
Keel, Frankie Miller, and Graham Nash as well as adding
keyboards to Aerosmith's "Classics Live" release.
In 1987 Mitch was enlisted by Michael Schenker to share
guitar duties on the landmark M.S.G. album "Perfect
Timing". During his time with M.S.G. Mitch toured
America, Japan and Europe along with major groups such
as Def Leppard and Whitesnake. With his standout performances
Mitch built quite a large following in his own right, eventually
leading to him being invited on as special guest star for
the 'Guitar Heroes' tour of Japan in 1989. This inspired
him to form his own group with Quiet Riot vocalist Paul
Shortino in 1990, which they called Badd Boyz (This group
also marked the beginning of his long association with
bassist Sean McNabb). The band eventually put out one album
in Japan in addition to playing wherever they could stateside.
In between Badd Boys shows Mitch also toured the US, Europe
and Australia with music and big screen icon Cher whenever
his schedule allowed. He was also featured on a live ABC
TV special with her (on a bill including Bette Midler, Robin
Williams, and Olivia Newton-John amongst others) in addition
to performing her hit 'If I Could Turn Back Time' at the
MTV Video Awards as well. Mitch would also play the odd live
show or two as a member of comedic genius Sam Kinison's band. |
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Meanwhile, the Badd Boyz lineup was gradually evolving into the
band 7% Solution as future LA Guns vocalist Ralph Saenz was called
in to replace Shortino in the beginning of 1993. In 1994 Mitch
joined up with Edgar Winter after following Carmine Appice into
his lineup upon returning from the 'Super Rock Session' tour
of Japan (that featured Mitch and Carmine along with Jimmy Page's
bassist Tony Franklin). Thus begun a record setting stint as
Edgar's guitarist that endured for over eight years, outlasting
the tenures of both Rick Derringer and Ronnie Montrose combined.
It resulted in three CD's - two of Edgar's solo releases including
'Winter Blues' which proved to be Edgar's most successful release
since the days of 'Frankenstein', as well as Edgar's contributions
to Mitch's first solo CD 'Wire To Wire' (released in Japan in
1996, it's still a fan favorite and sells briskly at Mitch's
live shows today!). They also recorded a new version of 'Free
Ride' together for a national ad campaign for Buick that ran
on TV for over a year. As they were perfoming as many as 150-200
shows each year they would hit everything from smokey bars to
major concert venues such as the Montreaux Jazz Festival, where
they appeared with the legendary B.B. King in 1999. That year
also saw the release of Mitch's second solo CD, a compilation
of unreleased tracks from 7% Solution and Badd Boys that recieved
excellent reviews in addition to selling out of all it's pressings.
passion of racing cars
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The new millinium brought
Mitch further recognition as 'Best Rock Guitarist' at the
2000 L.A Music Awards, where other winners that night included
Steve Lukather and Jackson Browne. By the spring of 2001,
however, as the constant touring as a sideman with Edgar
was wearing out it's attraction, an opportunity to become
professionally involved with Mitch's lifelong passion of
racing cars presented itself. Shortly after a special appearance
performing with Edgar at that years Grammy Awards, Mitch
decided to leave the band and apart from playing guitar
for himself and writing new songs when inspired, Mitch
didn't perform or record for almost a year.
Shortly after returning to the road for
a brief Bulletboys tour in January of 2002, he was asked
to assemble a band to perform in Tahiti later that summer.
This led to the formation of the band the Rhythm Junkies
with whom he still performs today. |
He was also asked to
contribute a musical track to the 9/11 tribute album 'Guitars
For Freedom' alongside such guitar greats as Jimi Hendrix,
Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Jose Feliciano, and Robin Trower.
In addition to playing with the 'Junkies', 2003 was to
see Mitch join XYZ for some live performances.
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