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Timeline:
1941: Mike Deasy Born
On February 4th, 1941, Mike Deasy is born in Los Angeles, California.
1957: "Mike Deasy and His Big Guitar"
While still in high school, Los Angeles teen Mike Deasy and his band (His Big Guitar) spend the summer backing up the top rock artists of the day. These artists include Ricky Nelson and the Everly Brothers (seen at right).
1958: The Coasters Tour
As a summer job, guitar prodigy Mike Deasy lands a job touring with the Coasters in their backup group, the Kansas City Belle Blues Band. He is the only white member of the band.
(The Coasters in 1958)
(The Coasters in 1958)
1958: Richie Valens Band 1958 - 1959
Mike and his band become Richie Valens' backup band. Other band mates include future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston on keyboards, Larry Knechtel (Bread) on bass, Jim Horn on sax, and Sandy Nelson on drums.
They tour California with Richie until he gets picked up to do a tour of the East Coast, which already has a touring house band to back all the artists. It's on this tour that Richie dies in a small plane crash, along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
They tour California with Richie until he gets picked up to do a tour of the East Coast, which already has a touring house band to back all the artists. It's on this tour that Richie dies in a small plane crash, along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
1959 - 1960: Mike with The Kelly Four
After the death of Richie Valens, Mike joined Eddie Cochran's band, the Kelly Four and toured the U.S. as Eddie's baritone saxophonist and second guitarist.
In a circumstance hauntingly similar to Valens, Eddie was hired to do a rock tour in England, without his band. During this tour, while sharing a hired car with Gene Vincent, Eddie died when the driver of the car lost control trying to get Eddie and Gene to the airport on time.
For the second time in a two year period, Mike has lost a good friend and the artist to which he was touring with.
(Mike is seen on baritone saxophone at the far left of this photo with Eddie)
In a circumstance hauntingly similar to Valens, Eddie was hired to do a rock tour in England, without his band. During this tour, while sharing a hired car with Gene Vincent, Eddie died when the driver of the car lost control trying to get Eddie and Gene to the airport on time.
For the second time in a two year period, Mike has lost a good friend and the artist to which he was touring with.
(Mike is seen on baritone saxophone at the far left of this photo with Eddie)
1961: Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars
Following the loss of Eddie Cochran, Mike joins up with Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars, traveling across the country, backing up the top rock and pop artists of the day, including Chubby Checker, Duane Eddy and Bo Diddley (pictured at right).
1962 - 1965: Music, music and more music...
Mike continues on the road with the Caravan Of Stars. He also does numerous live concerts in the southern California area.
Deasy also starts doing studio recording sessions for Phil Spector and his recording artists, including the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers.
Deasy also starts doing studio recording sessions for Phil Spector and his recording artists, including the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers.
1966: And Then...Along Comes The Association
Mike adds his guitar expertise working for Gary Paxton doing demos which eventually are sweetened and released. The Association was one of those groups that started out doing demos for Paxton, who took and shopped the group and after getting a deal, would take them into a major studio to finish and polish the songs. It was a system that would work well for most of the 1960's.
1967: "Friar Tuck & His Psychedelic Guitar" Released
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1967: Ceyleib People - Tanyet Released
Tanyet, released in 1967 on the Vault label, and featuring Mike Deasy, Ry Cooder, Larry Knechtel, and Jim Gordon amongst others, is a two part concept album rendered on sitars, mellotrons, tablas and electric guitars.
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1968: NBC Television Special
Album release of the NBC special.
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1968: Elvis '68 Television Special
Mike and Tommy Tedesco provided the guitars for the orchestra numbers Elvis did in this career reviving Christmas television special sponsored by Singer.
1970: "Gator Creek" Released
Band Mike formed with his wife Kathie, Kenny Loggins, Michael Omartian, Larry Knechtel and Dee Barton.
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1973: "Letters To My Head" Released
Mike's first solo album released under his own name, features his friends, some of the top L.A. studio musicians including Jim Gordon, John Guerin, Jim Keltner, Lee Sklar, Jerry Scheff, Larry Knechtel and Jim Horn.
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1976: "Wings Of An Eagle" Released
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1987: "Wings Of Praise" Released
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1995: "Paper Airplane" by Kathie Deasy Released
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1998: Guitar Gold Released
Mike Deasy and the cream of the L.A. studio community reunite for a historic recording session.
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1999: "Signs and Wonders" Released
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