Welcome to Mick Clarke.net, the official home of blues guitarist Mick Clarke. Born and raised in London England, Mick heard his first blues guitar recording at age 9, and was forever changed. Already interested in the guitar, he had found his true calling. Turning down a scholarship at art college in favour of the blues, the years of musical study and practice began. By age 18 Mick was already playing shows around the UK with several different R&B bands, including a stint with the Shades of Midnight which featured a young but very talented Billy Ocean, and much touring with Freddie Mack's Extravaganza, a now legendary R&B outfit often featuring 21 musicians onstage at once including horns, dancers and backup singers. This led to collaboration with many talented musicians and Mick's first serious musical work, with the now cult status band Orang Utan, whose album of the same name was released in the USA (without the band's knowledge) on Bell Records in 1970, and has been re-released many times since. The band still has never received a penny in royalties from that album! Leaving that band, Mick joined the legendary Roy Young Band, replacing Onnie McIntyre, who was moving on to found the Average White Band. Roy Young, (royyoung.com) the amazing singer and pianist, most well known for his association with The Beatles, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, David Bowie and of course John and Yoko, was riding high with several hit records in '72. Through this band Mick got his first taste of playing on the international circuit, touring Europe and playing concerts and rock festivals along with the top bands of the time, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep etc. This experience led to concerts and recording sessions with many artists, including the legendary Chuck Berry, Doris Troy, Jon Lord, (Deep Purple) Hudson Ford, John Lawton, (Uriah Heep) The Les Humphries Singers, Tony Ashton, Davey Pattison, (vocalist for Robin Trower, Ronnie Montrose' Gamma). Mick worked on several tours with the late great Long John Baldry, and played a lead role in the recording of the Baldry's Out album, which earned Mick his first gold album and also produced the number one hit song 'A Thrill's a Thrill'. Mick is currently performing live regularly with several different bands and working on numerous studio projects for radio and TV, as well as writing for his own upcoming CD.