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Mike "Smitty" Smith (born Michael Leroy Smith, March 27, 1942 – March 6, 2001) was an American drummer, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his work as a drummer with Paul Revere & the Raiders.
Mike "Smitty" Smith | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Leroy Smith |
| Born | 27 March 1942 Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Died | March 6, 2001 (aged 58) Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States |
| Genres | Pop, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, guitar |
| Years active | 1962–1972 |
| Labels | Columbia, RCA |
| Formerly of | Paul Revere & the Raiders, Brotherhood, Friendsong |
Early life
editMike Smith was born in Portland, Oregon to Howard and Mildred Smith.[1] Alongside his older brother, Jerry,[2] he grew up in neighboring Beaverton, graduating from Beaverton High School in 1960.[3] Both brothers competed on the Beaverton High School wrestling team.[4] Smith received his first drum set at age ten, and an upgraded set at age twelve.[2]
Career
editThe Headless Horseman
editAfter high school, Smith became part-owner of Portland teen club The Headless Horseman. Along with two friends, Al Dardis and Ross Allemang, Smith became a member of the club's house band, playing guitar.[5] In 1962, Mark Lindsay and Paul Revere of Paul Revere & the Raiders, had relocated to Portland and were seeking a few musicians to complete their band. They heard about The Headless Horseman and its house band, and Lindsay visited the club and met Smith.[3] Revere invited Smith to join him and Lindsay as their drummer.[6]
Paul Revere & the Raiders
editSmith drummed with Paul Revere & the Raiders from 1962 to 1967, and again from 1971 to 1972, performing on some of their biggest hits, including "Just Like Me," "Hungry," and "Kicks."[3] Three of the seven albums he made with the band were certified gold by the RIAA: Just Like Us!, Midnight Ride, and The Spirit of '67.[7] At the height of the group’s chart success and Where the Action Is media exposure, “Smith was, for a time in the United States, probably the most well-known drummer in rock & roll after Ringo Starr of the Beatles.”[6]
Brotherhood and Friendsound
editDuring his hiatus from Paul Revere & the Raiders, he, organist Ron Collins, and ex-Raiders Drake Levin and Phil Volk, formed Brotherhood. The band was signed to RCA, but was hindered by the members' lingering contractual obligations to Columbia Records from their Raiders work. Two albums were released: Brotherhood (1968) and Brotherhood Brotherhood (1969). A third album, Joyride, followed in 1969 under the name Friendsound. Joyride was an experimental album that was included on the 1979 Nurse with Wound list.
Personal life
editSmith married longtime girlfriend Susan Moore on June 7, 1963, in Stevenson, Washington.[8] They had two children together, Rory (born January 1964) and Alexandra.[6]
He met his second wife, Brenda, in Brookings, Oregon, while he was recovering from a car accident. They had two children together, Rio and Jenna, before divorcing in 1996.[6]
Death
editSmith died on March 6, 2001, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii from internal bleeding.[3]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ Thompson, Rod (13 March 2001). "Michael L. Smith, former Paul Revere drummer dies". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Mike "Smitty" Smith's Life in Pix!". mikesmittysmith.tripod.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "So Long, Friend - Saying Goodbye to Smitty". mikesmittysmith.tripod.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ 1958 Beaver. Beaverton, Oregon: Valley Publishing Inc. 1958. p. 89.
- ^ "Michael Leroy Smith - Bio from "History ReBEATS Itself"". mikesmittysmith.tripod.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Eder, Bruce. "Mike Smith Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Paul Revere & The Raiders". Ed Sullivan Show. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "SMITTY'S 'SECRET'". mikesmittysmith.tripod.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.