SINGER/SONGWRITER/KEYBOARD PLAYER based in East Sussex, UK

Welcome to my website. Hopefully there is something for most music fans, especially fans of artists I have worked with, including MOTT THE HOOPLE, DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS, LINDA McCARTNEY and PAUL BRADY. There are lots of stories and photos. Please come back again as I'll keep adding memories from four decades of music making.

NEWS: On June 11th 2013, I'll be taking part in an event at the Lexington, Caledonian Rd, London N1. Phil John was Mott The Hoople's roadie for many years and he will be reading extracts from his 1974 tour diary, giving quite an insight into life on the road back in those days. I'll be there to contribute what I can to the proceedings - playing a few songs and maybe telling a few stories about life on the road from the musician's perspective. And Tracie Hunter will be performing with her band The Rebelles.

MICK BOLTON BAND

We're a three piece band. Phil Little is a brilliant, powerful drummer - he played for years with Micky Jones of the Welsh rock band MAN. We have the excellent Barry Jones on bass. Together we play my own songs, plus some unique versions of stuff we enjoy. See the first video below.

THE RHYTHM SECTION

The Rhythm Section is an exciting six-piece band - the brainchild of Phil Little, driven by his drumming and the percussion of Vincent Salzfaas. We have the brilliant Simon Shaw and Leo Baroni on guitars, plus Barry Jones on bass and myself on keyboards. Simon and I share the lead vocals and we play Afro and Latin Funk, with songs by Santana, The Meters, Tom Waits, Steely Dan, Little Feat, etc - plus some of our own compositions. Here's a Facebook post from The Jenny Lind where we played on Jan 4th 2013: 'Superb music from the Rhythm Section last night, many thanks to Phil and the boys and we can't wait to have you back.'

SOLO

I also do solo gigs playing my own songs and material by artists such as Neil Young, Carol King, The Band, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan etc.

For bookings, please get in touch via my contact page.

2013

Jan 4 - Jenny Lind, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Feb 1 - The Cross Inn, Staplecross - with The Rhythm Section

Feb 15 - Senlac, Battle - with The Rhythm Section

Feb 23 - Bar Blue, St Leonards - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

April 5 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

April 12 - Norman Arms, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

April 26 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

May 19 - Royal Standard, Hastings 4pm - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

May 25 - Body Circus festival, 6.30 approx at The Stade, Hastings and 9.30 approx at The Printworks, Claremont, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

May 26 - Norman Arms, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

June 10 - Hastings Arms, Hastings - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

June 11 - The Lexington, Caledonian Rd, London N1 - solo performance, with Phil John ex Mott The Hoople roadie reading from his 1974 tour diary followed by audience Q&A- also performing: Tracie Hunter's band The Rebelles

June 22 - Gecko (formerly Bar Blue), St Leonards - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

July 5 - Norman Arms, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

July 12 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Aug 2 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Aug 3 - RNLI Beach Concert, Hastings 7.45pm - with The Rhythm Section

September 14 - Seafood and Wine Festival, The Stade, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

September 27 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Oct 5 - Newhaven Social Club - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 7 - Hastings Arms, Hastings - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 11 - Jenny Lind, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Oct 13 - Royal Standard - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 19 - The Plough, Hastings - Solo

Nov 8th - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Nov 29 - Norman Arms, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

Nove 30 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Dec 21 - The Plough, Hastings - Solo

Dec 27 - Norman Arms, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

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In 1973 I played Hammond Organ with MOTT THE HOOPLE. There's a list of all the gigs from that year (and the acts that supported us - including Queen, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Iggy Pop, Joe Walsh, The New York Dolls and Robin Trower) on my Gig History page. There are rare photos in my Photo Gallery and there is a video of me playing a solo piano version of their hit All The Young Dudes further down this page. Mott played five 40th anniversary concerts in October 2009 with the original 1969 line-up at the Hammersmith Apollo, which was the venue for the final riotous concert of our 1973 tour - see my Biography page. Also see my Mott Reunion page.

In the 1980s I toured and recorded with DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS. See my Gig History page for excerpts from the diary I kept during the preparation for the 1985 tour to promote the Don't Stand Me Down album. I also toured and recorded with Irish singer/songwriter PAUL BRADY, playing on the same bill as U2, Van Morrison, Tina Turner, UB40 and The Pogues. For several years I was a regular visitor at Paul McCartney's home where I worked with LINDA McCARTNEY, giving her keyboard tuition as well as co-writing and recording tracks that appeared on her album Wide Prairie. I've also worked occasionally as a session musician playing with, among others, LATOYA JACKSON, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III and VIC GODARD. Since the 1990s I have worked as a solo artist throughout Scandinavia, Europe and the UK.

I was a finalist in the 2008 UK Songwriting Contest which had over 6200 entries. See video 5 below.

The piano isn't often used as the main instrument in rock/pop music - it's usually heard somewhere in the background. I really enjoy putting the piano centre stage and showing what a powerful, emotional instrument it really is - and my audiences seem to enjoy that too. Here are some comments I have received on the Internet:

• Mick, I ADORE Rainbow over Michigan. The lyrics make me smile inside and out. Your piano playing is so rockin' and funky, soo much fun!!
• All The Young Dudes - You play it soooooo gooooooooood
• You've put tears in my eyes - this song is just too much
• All these years later and you've still got it - you rock those keys like they're nothing
• The White Cliffs Of England - I like this song so much - you have a great voice.
• Saw Mick at Poorboys in Hastings - he deserves to be playing to much bigger crowds and none of these videos do justice to seeing him play live
• Your song Under The Glitter Ball was Awesome! Incredible performance - beautifully played
• Beautiful - a privilege to see you playing such a magnificent track from a seminal album; My all time favourite of their slower melodies! Thanks for this wonderful piano version! Love it! (The Waltz - Dexys Midnight Runners)
• ...seen you playing The Waltz Mick and your piano is heartbreaking and inspirational. Don't Stand Me Down is up there with the best and you're part of that. One of those YouTube moments that you can't believe that you've had the good fortune to stumble across.
• Beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. Amazing playing. A true talent (The Waltz - Dexys Midnight Runners)
• Saw you at the Plough last night - totally awesome!
• I had the pleasure to see Mick Bolton play four gigs during my holiday in the UK! He did a rockin' rendition of "All the Way from Memphis." Thanks for the music, Mick!
• I really like the stylish way you do this - the slow build up, your improvisation on the keyboard, the beat, the way you sing it, the lead guitar and the bass - it blends together perfectly. One of the best versions I've heard. (Cortez The Killer - Neil Young)

VIDEOS:

1. Down And Out In New Orleans - with Phil Little (drums) and Barry Jones (bass). One of my own songs - at The Big Green Cardigan festival in Sep 2012.

2. Rainbow Over Michigan - with Phil Little and Matt Novis. A song I wrote in 1974 describing life on the road with Mott The Hoople.

3. All The Young Dudes - solo piano performance

4. Rock And Roll Widow - live solo piano/vocal performance

5. Me And My Old Piano - a song that gained me a Finalist place in the 2008 UK Songwriting contest.

2012 GIGS

Jan 28 - Plough, Priory Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little

Mar 17 - Plough, Priory Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little

Mar 25 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with Phil Little (4pm)

Apr 2 - Hastings Arms, George St, Hastings - with Phil Little

Apr 6 - Jenny Lind, High St, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

Apr 20 - Marina Fountain, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

Apr 22 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with Phil Little (4pm)

May 4 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little

May 12 - Jenny Lind, High St, Hastings - with Phil Little

May 29 - Mrs Yarringtons Music Club at the Senlac Pub, Battle (nr station) - with Phil Little

June 15 - Marina Fountain, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

July 2 - Hastings Arms, George St, Hastings - with Phil Little

July 6 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little

July 14 - Jenny Lind, High St, Hastings - Band, wth Phil Little and Barry Jones (bass)

July 15 - Royal Standard, Hastings - with Phil Little (4pm)

August 10 - Cross Inn, Staplecross, East Sussex - with The Rhythm Section

August 19 - Plough, Priory Rd, Hastings 4pm - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones

August 24 - Jenny Lind, High St, Hastings - with The Rhythm Section

August 31 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - with Phil Little

Sep 9 (3pm-3.45pm) - Big Green Cardigan Festival, Sedlescombe - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones. Sunday's programme: ROACHFORD (headline act), King Size Slim, Mick Bolton, Choro Bandido, Logan Wilson, Joe Rytlewski Band, Ian Barnett.

Sep 28 - Dolphin, Rock a Nore Rd, Hastings - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 6 - Plough, Priory Rd, Hastings - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 8 - Hastings Arms, George St, Hastings - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 21 - Royal Standard, Hastings (4pm) - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones

Oct 28 - Norman Arms, St Leonards (6pm) - with The Rhythm Section

Dec 7 - Marina Fountain, St Leonards - with The Rhythm Section

Dec 22 - Bar Blue, St Leonards - Band, with Phil Little and Barry Jones