Michael Huey

Last updated
Michael Huey
Michael Huey.jpg
Background information
Born (1950-10-24) October 24, 1950 (age 72)
Bowdon, Georgia, United States
Genres
  • Rock
  • pop
  • R&B
  • country
  • film
  • television
Instrument(s)
  • Drums
  • percussion
Years active1969–present
Website www.hueytunes.com

J. Michael Huey (born October 24, 1950) is an American drummer and producer, earning 18 Gold / Platinum Top Ten Awards. He has played with a diverse group of artists in genres including Rock/Pop/Country/R&B such as Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Juice Newton, Etta James, and Lindsey Buckingham. Huey is also noted for his work on film and television soundtracks as well as numerous world tours with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. [1] He has also worked as a record producer for major record labels including MCA and Warner Bros.

Contents

Early career

Michael Huey started playing the drums while in high school playing in regional bands in Georgia most notably The Kenningtons and 8-Up With Soul who performed at local dance clubs and small venues. In 1969 the Atlanta music manager Johnny Bee encouraged Huey to audition for the pop singer Tommy Roe whose song "Dizzy" had become a worldwide hit that year. [2] The audition was a success and Roe, who was signed to the Bill Lowery Organization, hired Huey to play drums on his national ‘Dizzy’ tour.

Atlanta years

After the 'Dizzy' tour had ended Huey returned to playing smaller venues. The saxophone player Grainger “Brother” Hines of The Swingin' Medallions ("Double Shot of My Baby's Love") was in an Atlanta bar where Huey was performing and invited Huey to play drums for The Swingin' Medallions; Huey accepted and replaced Ron Nobles. [1] The Swingin' Medallions were also represented by Bill Lowery.

In 1970 Huey played drums on tracks from the album Color Him Father by The Winstons. [1] In 1971 he became the drummer for the Classics IV and during this period was also hired as staff drummer for the Lowery Group. Huey’s earlier work for The Winstons led to his involvement with the Allen Toussaint produced 1974 album Frankie Miller’s Highlife by Frankie Miller. [3] As the staff drummer for Lowery Studios, Huey played drums on numerous sessions most notably for Johnny Nash, Billy Joe Royal, The Tams, Joe South, Clarence Carter, Mylon LeFevre, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave) and Sami Jo. [3]

Los Angeles years

In 1976, Michael Huey moved to Los Angeles where he played drums on recording sessions as well as world tours for Walter Egan (including the hit single "Magnet and Steel"), Michael Martin Murphey, Johnny Lee, Chris Hillman of The Byrds, Gene Clark of The Byrds, Joanne Mackell, The Osmonds, Blue Steel, Rob Grill of The Grass Roots, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, Juice Newton and many other artists. [3]

In 1981, the producer and arrranger Jim Ed Norman hired Huey to play drums on Glenn Frey's (The Eagles) first solo album, No Fun Aloud , which produced the Top 10 hits "Party Town" and "I Found Somebody". Huey continued to work with Frey for the next twelve years providing the drums on all of his solo records including the hits "Smuggler’s Blues" and "You Belong to the City" from the album The Allnighter . Both tracks were featured on the NBC television series Miami Vice as well as appearing on the Miami Vice soundtrack album which stayed at #1 on the Billboard charts for eleven weeks in 1985. The soundtrack sold over five million copies and won two Grammy Awards making it the most successful TV soundtrack album of all time. [4] [5]

Michael Huey also played on the feature films Beverly Hills Cop , Back to the Future , Boogie Nights , Deuce Bigalow , Sgt. Bilko and Overnight Delivery .

He appeared in concert with Joe Walsh, Etta James and Albert Collins as part of the Jazzvisions series of concerts filmed at the Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles in December 1986 which was subsequently released on video and CD under the title "Jump The Blues Away". [6] [7]

The HBO Special: “Vietnam Veterans Benefit Concert, LA Forum: Featuring Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt, and Friends” [8]

Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Records & Tours): Glenn Frey (The Eagles); Joe Walsh (Eagles); Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac); Etta James; Albert Collins; Chris Hillman (Byrds); Gene Clark (Byrds); Allen Toussaint (Producer/Songwriter); Sam Moore (Sam & Dave) ; ; ;

Georgia Music Hall of Fame (Records & Tours): Tommy Roe; Joe South; The Tams; The Classics IV; Clarence Carter; Billy Joe Royal; Ray Whitley; Mylon LaFevre; Bill Lowery; Paul Cochran.

In 1992, Michael Huey retired from his career as a musician and attended UCLA School of Law. In 1994 he started his own music publishing and production company called HueyTunes.

Music producer and arranger

Michael Huey produced and arranged, as well as played drums on the critically acclaimed album So Rebellious A Lover (1987) for Gene Clark (The Byrds) and Carla Olson (The Textones). [9] Huey also produced the Re-Mastered Collectors’ Edition CD released in 2009. [10]

In 1985 Huey was hired to produce and arrange the music for two of the ‘Miller Genuine Draft’ NBA Semi-Finals and Championship Series (Lakers v Celtics) CBS National TV / Radio advertising campaigns.

In 1990 Huey co-produced The Best of Tommy Roe: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow which was released on the Curb Mod Afw label.

Michael Huey has worked as a producer and arranger for the following companies:

Recordings (partial list)

YearAlbumArtistCredit
1970The WinstonsThe WinstonsDrums
1974Frankie Miller's High LifeFrankie MillerDrums
1974High Life (Bonus tracks)Frankie MillerDrums
1974It Could Have Been MeSami JoDrums
1974Third Annual Pipe DreamAtlanta Rhythm SectionPercussion
1975Loneliness and TemptationClarence CarterPercussion
1975A Heart Full of SongClarence CarterPercussion
1975Love TripTamiko JonesDrums
1975Midnight RainbowsJoe SouthDrums
1975Pat Terry GroupPat TerryDrums, Percussion
1975The Very Best of Classics IVClassics IVDrums
1977All I Want to DoLee ConwayDrums
1977Plain and FancyThe Bellamy BrothersDrums
1977What a Wonderful WorldJohnny NashDrums
1978Joanne MackellJoanne MackellDrums
1978Magnet & SteelWalter EganDrums, Percussion
1978Not ShyWalter EganDrums, Percussion
1979Hi-FiWalter EganDrums, Percussion
1979No More Lonely NightsBlue SteelDrums
1979UprootedRob GrillDrums
1980Best of the Pat Terry GroupPat TerryDrums
1980Last StrollWalter EganDrums, Percussion
1981Nothing But TimeBlue SteelDrums
1982The Heart Never LiesMichael Martin MurpheyDrums
1982No Fun AloudGlenn FreyDrums
1982Sounds Like LoveJohnny LeeDrums
1983Best of Michael Martin MurpheyMichael Martin MurpheyDrums
1983Wild ExhibitionsWalter EganDrums, Percussion
1984One Way RiderThe OsmondsDrums
1984The AllnighterGlenn FreyDrums
1985Miami Vice (Smugglers Blues)Glenn FreyDrums
1985Rock Breakout YearsGlenn FreyDrums
1985Back to the Future (Film/Soundtrack)Lindsey BuckinghamDrums
1985TodayThe OsmondsDrums
1986Overnight Delivery (Film/Soundtrack)Original SoundtrackDrums
1986Miami Vice (You Belong to the City)Glenn FreyDrums
1987Lonely TownTom KellDrums
1987So Rebellious a LoverGene Clark/Carla OlsonProducer, Drums, Percussion
1988Sergeant Bilko (Film/Soundtrack)Original SoundtrackDrums
1989Jump the Blues AwayEtta JamesDrums
1989Jump the Blues AwayJoe WalshDrums
1989Jump the Blues AwayAlbert CollinsDrums
1989Deuce Bigalow (Film/Soundtrack)Original SoundtrackDrums
1990Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (The Best of Tommy Roe)Tommy RoeProducer, Drums, Percussion
1995Solo CollectionGlenn FreyDrums
1995Solo Collection (Japanese Bonus track)Glenn FreyDrums
1995Wave of the HandCarla OlsonDrums, Producer
1995After the LoveVarious ArtistsDrums
1997Boogie Nights (Film/Soundtrack)Original SoundtrackDrums
1998Flying HighGene ClarkProducer, Drums, Percussion
2000Best of Glenn FreyGlenn FreyDrums
2000So Rebellious a Lover (Collectors Edition Re-Mastered)Gene Clark/Carla OlsonProducer, Drums, Percussion
2001Honest as Daylight: The Best of Carla Olson (1981–2000)Carla OlsonProducer, Drums, Percussion
2005Fundamental Roll/Not ShyWalter EganDrums, Percussion
2005Third Annual Pipe Dream: A Rock and Roll AlternativeAtlanta Rhythm SectionConga, Percussion
2005Hi-Fi/The Last StrollWalter EganDrums, Percussion
2009Best Of Johnny NashJohnny NashDrums, Percussion
2010The CollectionWalter EganDrums, Percussion

Source [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cracker (band)</span> American rock band

Cracker is an American rock band, formed in 1990 by lead singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The band's first album Cracker was released in 1992 on Virgin Records; it included the single "Teen Angst ", which went to #1 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart. The band's follow-up, the 1993 album Kerosene Hat included the hit songs "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagles (band)</span> American rock band (formed 1971)

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. With five number-one singles and six number-one albums, six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s in North America. Founding members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner were recruited by Linda Ronstadt as band members, some touring with her, and all playing on her third solo album, before venturing out on their own on David Geffen's new Asylum Records label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Palmer</span> American drummer (1924–2008)

Earl Cyril Palmer was an American drummer. Considered one of the inventors of rock and roll, he is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Walsh</span> American rock musician

Joseph Fidler Walsh is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Best known as a member of the rock band Eagles, his five-decade career has also included solo work and stints in two other successful rock bands: James Gang and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He was also part of the New Zealand band Herbs. In the 1990s, he was a member of the short-lived supergroup The Best.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Roe</span> American rock and pop singer-songwriter (born 1942)

Thomas David Roe is a retired American rock and pop singer-songwriter.

Motograter is an American nu metal band formed in Santa Barbara, California in 1995. They are best known for their homemade, namesake instrument, designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces that creates a unique bass sound, and painting themselves in tribal-style body paint for live concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernie Leadon</span> American musician

Bernard Matthew Leadon III is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Eagles, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of three country rock bands: Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He is a multi-instrumentalist coming from a bluegrass background. He introduced elements of this music to a mainstream audience during his tenure with the Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classics IV</span> American band

The Classics IV is an American band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965. The band, founded by Dennis Yost, is known mainly for the hits "Spooky," "Stormy," and "Traces," released 1967 to 1969, which have become cover standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Wallace (drummer)</span> Musical artist

Ian Russell Wallace was an English rock and jazz drummer, most visibly as a member of progressive rock band King Crimson, as a member of David Lindley's El Rayo-X and as Don Henley's drummer.

<i>Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles</i> 1993 compilation album by various artists

Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles is a tribute album to American rock band Eagles. It was released in 1993 on Giant Records to raise funds for the Walden Woods Project. The album features covers of various Eagles songs, as performed by country music acts. It was certified 3× Platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 27, 1994, honoring shipments of three million copies in the United States. Several cuts from the album all charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts after the album's release, the most successful being Travis Tritt's rendition of "Take It Easy" at number 21. Common Thread won all of its performers a Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year at the 1994 ceremony.

Edwin Thomas "Ed" Shaughnessy was a swing music and jazz drummer long associated with Doc Severinsen and a member of The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dizzy (Tommy Roe song)</span> 1968 single by Tommy Roe

"Dizzy" is a song originally recorded by Tommy Roe that became an international hit single in 1969. Instrumental backing was provided by the Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It to the Limit (Eagles song)</span> 1975 single by Eagles

"Take It to the Limit" is a song by the Eagles from their fourth album One of These Nights from which it was issued as the third single on November 15, 1975. It reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was also the Eagles' greatest success to that point in the UK, going to No. 12 on the charts. Billboard ranked it as the No. 25 song for 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life in the Fast Lane</span> 1977 single by the Eagles

"Life in the Fast Lane" is a song written by Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and Don Henley, and recorded by American rock band Eagles for the band's fifth studio album Hotel California (1976). It was the third single released from this album, and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Swingin' Medallions are an American beach music group from Greenwood, South Carolina, United States.

Charles Lawrence Persip, known as Charli Persip and formerly as Charlie Persip, was an American jazz drummer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Deppenschmidt</span> American jazz drummer (1936–2021)

William Henry Deppenschmidt was an American jazz drummer.

<i>Who I Am</i> (Nick Jonas & the Administration album) 2010 studio album by Nick Jonas & the Administration

Who I Am is the only studio album from Nick Jonas & the Administration. It was released on February 2, 2010, in the US. The group made its live debut performing a single of the same name on the Grammy Nominations Concert Live special on December 2, 2009, on CBS. Jonas cut the album in eight days with producer John Fields, who also played bass. Additional members of the Administration include drummer Michael Bland and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, both of whom played in The New Power Generation. Guitarist David Ryan Harris played on the album, but a third former NPG member, Sonny Thompson, replaced him on live shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Rosas</span> Musical artist

Rick "Rick the Bass Player" Rosas was an American musician, and one of the most sought after studio session musicians in Los Angeles. Though largely known for his long collaboration with Neil Young, throughout his career he also played with Joe Walsh, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Rivers, Ron Wood, Etta James, and the short-lived reunion of the Buffalo Springfield, among others. He performed as a bass player with The Flash in Jonathan Demme's 2015 film Ricki and The Flash. The band was composed of guitarist Rick Springfield, drummer Joe Vitale, and keyboardist Bernie Worrell, backing up Meryl Streep, as "Ricki", on vocals and guitar.

<i>So Rebellious a Lover</i> 1987 studio album by Gene Clark and Carla Olson

So Rebellious a Lover is a 1987 studio album by American singer-songwriters Gene Clark and Carla Olson. Released in April 1987, the album revived Clark's flagging career. It was well-received and became a modest commercial success, at the time the biggest-selling album of Clark's solo career. Although no promotional singles were released from the album, several tracks are well regarded among fans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Haynes, Greg (2006). The Hey Baby Days of Beach Music. Rare Reads Publishing. ISBN   0-9786047-0-9.
  2. "Tommy Roe Chart History". Billboard rankings. Billboard.com. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Michael Huey Credits". Website. All Music. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  4. Eliot, Marc (1998). To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. pp. 341–344. ISBN   0-306-81398-X.
  5. "Top Music Albums week of Jan. 18, 1986". Billboard chart. Billboard. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  6. Jazzvisions Wiltern Concerts Article at Los Angeles Times. Published 28 November 1986. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  7. Rebecca D. Clear (1993). Jazz on Film and Video in the Library of Congress. DIANE Publishing. pp. 77–. ISBN   978-0-7881-1436-6 . Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  8. "Solo, History". Website. HueyTunes website. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  9. Einarson, John (2005). Mr. Tambourine Man: the Life and Legacy of the Byrds' Gene Clark. 265-266: Backbeat Books. ISBN   0-87930-793-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  10. 1 2 "Solo, Production". Website. Huey Tunes. Retrieved 1 March 2012.