Mike Hurst and the Method
Mike Hurst was one of the Springfields**, the first-ever British vocal group to have a USA Top 10 single 'Silver Thread And Golden Needles', BEFORE The Beatles.
Mike quit The Springfields** after five chart singles including 'Island Of Dreams' and formed his own band in 1964 featuring guitarists Jimmy Page and later Albert Lee and Tony Ashton.
During the early 70s Mike recorded two solo albums 'Home' and 'In My Time'. Both are released on CD for the first time, with bonus tracks recorded in the early 80's by Sundance, which featured Mike, and Mary Hopkin on vocals. This CD boasts an array of rock luminaries including Jon Lord, Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Tony Ashton, Dee Murray, Ray Cooper, Nigel Olsson (Elton John Band), Rod Argent, Ray Fenwick, BJ Cole, Chris White and Doris Troy.
Mike quit The Springfields** after five chart singles including 'Island Of Dreams' and formed his own band in 1964 featuring guitarists Jimmy Page and later Albert Lee and Tony Ashton.
During the early 70s Mike recorded two solo albums 'Home' and 'In My Time'. Both are released on CD for the first time, with bonus tracks recorded in the early 80's by Sundance, which featured Mike, and Mary Hopkin on vocals. This CD boasts an array of rock luminaries including Jon Lord, Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Tony Ashton, Dee Murray, Ray Cooper, Nigel Olsson (Elton John Band), Rod Argent, Ray Fenwick, BJ Cole, Chris White and Doris Troy.
THE SPRINGFIELDS UK folk trio formed '60 by Mary O'Brien and her brother Tom (b 2 July '34, Hampstead, London), working as Tom and Dusty Springfield at first, joined by Tim Field, who was replaced by Mike Longhurst-Pickworth, who shortened his name to Hurst. UK hits include 'Island Of Dreams' and 'Say I Won't Be There'; their big USA hit was 'Silver Threads And Golden Needles' '62, which didn't chart in Britain (a country song from '56, revived '74 by Linda Ronstadt and Charlie McCoy). They split '63. Dusty Springfield has had a long career as one of the most highly regarded British vocalists; Tom Springfield went on to manage and write songs for the Seekers; Mike Hurst formed the Methods, playing country rock before it became fashionable, with Tony Ashton and Albert Lee in the band; he made two solo albums of his own on Capitol '69--70 using such sidemen as Ashton, B. J. Cole, Clem Cattini, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Rod Argent, Nicky Hopkins and others.
Hurst went on to produce rock'n'roll revivalists Showaddywaddy '70s for 15 consecutive top 20 UK singles, also formed quartet Fancy for US top 15 with 'Wild Thing' '74; meanwhile he'd discovered Cat Stevens, who'd been turned down by all the major labels, signed him to Deram and managed him.
Along the way Hurst produced Manfred Mann ('Mighty Quinn'), The Move ('Curly'), Spencer Davies ('Timeseller'), P. P. Arnold ('First Cut Is The Deepest'), the Alan Bown Set, Nirvana, Murray Head and Colin Blunstone (as Neil MacArthur, with 'She's Not There'); also Mud, Cilla Black, the Four Tops, others; managed Shakin' Stevens, signed him to Epic and prod. his first chart album Take One '80 and his first hit single 'Hot Dog'.
Hurst carried on in the '80s; lectured on pop music '90s and was working on a TV series about it. The Springfields were not only the first UK vocal group to reach the top 20 in the USA, but individually and collectively were ultimately responsible for selling more records than perhaps anybody else in the UK except the Beatles. Not bad for a folk trio.
Line-ups (thanks to 'Obscure bands of the 50s ad 60s')
Mike Hurst & The Method #1 (January 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Jimmy Page (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· ?? ?? (Drums)
Mike Hurst & The Method #2 (February - May 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Albert Lee (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· Nigel Menday (Drums)
Mike Hurst & The Method #3 (May - Summer 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Ray Smith (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· Nigel Menday (Drums)
Back to The Albert Lee Story
Hurst went on to produce rock'n'roll revivalists Showaddywaddy '70s for 15 consecutive top 20 UK singles, also formed quartet Fancy for US top 15 with 'Wild Thing' '74; meanwhile he'd discovered Cat Stevens, who'd been turned down by all the major labels, signed him to Deram and managed him.
Along the way Hurst produced Manfred Mann ('Mighty Quinn'), The Move ('Curly'), Spencer Davies ('Timeseller'), P. P. Arnold ('First Cut Is The Deepest'), the Alan Bown Set, Nirvana, Murray Head and Colin Blunstone (as Neil MacArthur, with 'She's Not There'); also Mud, Cilla Black, the Four Tops, others; managed Shakin' Stevens, signed him to Epic and prod. his first chart album Take One '80 and his first hit single 'Hot Dog'.
Hurst carried on in the '80s; lectured on pop music '90s and was working on a TV series about it. The Springfields were not only the first UK vocal group to reach the top 20 in the USA, but individually and collectively were ultimately responsible for selling more records than perhaps anybody else in the UK except the Beatles. Not bad for a folk trio.
Line-ups (thanks to 'Obscure bands of the 50s ad 60s')
Mike Hurst & The Method #1 (January 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Jimmy Page (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· ?? ?? (Drums)
Mike Hurst & The Method #2 (February - May 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Albert Lee (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· Nigel Menday (Drums)
Mike Hurst & The Method #3 (May - Summer 1964)
· Mike Hurst (Lead Vocals)
· Ray Smith (Lead Guitar)
· Ray Styles (Bass)
· Tony Ashton (Organ)
· Nigel Menday (Drums)
Back to The Albert Lee Story
