earwig 02.10.2016 15:53 |
Sad news of the death of Brian May's rhythm guitarist on his first solo tour. link |
Sebastian 02.10.2016 21:17 |
Will be missed. |
The Real Wizard 02.10.2016 22:14 |
Strange, the post has been removed. We'll see if Brian writes anything on his blog - then we'll know it's for real. |
Sebastian 02.10.2016 23:27 |
There have been loads of comments on both FB and YT. Brian wouldn't necessarily find out right away, he's not part of the top 1,000 people who are closest to MC, and he hasn't worked with him for nearly a quarter of a century. Sometimes Brian's very swift with offering condolences to fellow musicians, sometimes he's not (e.g. Prince). |
scallyuk 03.10.2016 01:14 |
Neil Murray seems to think it's true - as do Simon Croft Phil Hilborne and Michael's bandmates in East of Jave. |
brian-harold-may 26643 03.10.2016 02:29 |
I know Michael personally. Unfortunately it is true, he drowned on Friday. I would guarantee Brian knows by now. |
cmsdrums 03.10.2016 02:45 |
Sadly it is true - Jamie Humphries and East of Java (a band Michael played with) have also confirmed it on Facebook. Very sad news. |
The Real Wizard 03.10.2016 10:10 |
brian-harold-may 26643 wrote: I know Michael personally. Unfortunately it is true, he drowned on Friday.Wow - now that's tragic :( |
Costa86 03.10.2016 10:35 |
Brian re-tweeted a post by BrianMayGuitars about it, a few hours ago. Dr. Brian May Retweeted Brian May Guitars ?@BrianMayGuitars 5 hours ago RIP Michael Casswell (18.06.63 – 30.09.16) • Sad to hear of the passing of a truly superb guitarist & a great supporter of @BrianMayGuitars |
Pim Derks 03.10.2016 12:01 |
Brian's curse. When will it ever end?! |
Kuijpy 03.10.2016 23:41 |
Never heard of him, maybe we will see him a new release from Brian May €€€€€ |
Togg 04.10.2016 02:38 |
Very sad, a great guitarist |
Togg 04.10.2016 02:39 |
Kuijpy wrote: Never heard of him, maybe we will see him a new release from Brian May €€€€€ TWAT |
Kuijpy 04.10.2016 06:51 |
I know ;) |
The Real Wizard 04.10.2016 13:40 |
But the original post calling him a rhythm guitarist !? At the time he was a Satriani clone, and he tried to outstage Brian every night in Resurrection. I bet my left nut that's why Brian sacked him. But clearly he did well for himself later in life. Far too young to go. Poor guy. |
Sebastian 04.10.2016 15:01 |
The Real Wizard wrote: But the original post calling him a rhythm guitarist !?Out of roughly twelve songs they usually played each night, he did lead on one, co-lead on one and rhythm on the remaining ten (83.33% of the set). I think that's enough to call him 'Brian May's rhythm guitarist on his first solo tour.' The Real Wizard wrote: At the time he was a Satriani clone, and he tried to outstage Brian every night in Resurrection. I bet my left nut that's why Brian sacked him.Wasn't Brian, according to you, the humblest person ever to have graced this earth? I personally don't think Mike was trying to outstage him, he had the chance to play lead for a few seconds and made the best out of it, and fair play to him for that. Jamie also played great solos on that spot, although less showy I reckon. |
Vocal harmony 04.10.2016 17:13 |
^^^ there have been many players who have been employed as a musician with in someones name band and given a solo spot. But that doesn't give free license to go on an ego wank and (try) to upstage the guy who pays you. Jamie Moses always seemed respectful of his boss and his own position in the band. Mike maybe less so. Of course this has nothing to do with ability. Vai never ever tried to get one over Zappa! |
Sebastian 04.10.2016 21:33 |
Even if that were the case (and I've no way to know if it was), I think it's in bad taste to focus on those alleged disagreeable actions when the person's just died. When Brian kicks it, should we direct our obituaries at how he cheated on Chrissie and then shagged his married secretary while he was with Anita? |
john bodega 04.10.2016 23:29 |
I wouldn't call Jamie Moses respectful - that hat for one thing, after you watch a couple of 90's Brian videos it can get really very trying to see him walking around like it's an acceptable fashion choice. As far as hired hands trying to upstage the star of the show - there's a great deleted scene from Spinal Tap that covers it. Funny shit |
Vocal harmony 05.10.2016 04:44 |
Sebastian wrote: Even if that were the case (and I've no way to know if it was), I think it's in bad taste to focus on those alleged disagreeable actions when the person's just died. When Brian kicks it, should we direct our obituaries at how he cheated on Chrissie and then shagged his married secretary while he was with Anita? |
Vocal harmony 05.10.2016 04:45 |
Sebastian wrote: Even if that were the case (and I've no way to know if it was), I think it's in bad taste to focus on those alleged disagreeable actions when the person's just died. When Brian kicks it, should we direct our obituaries at how he cheated on Chrissie and then shagged his married secretary while he was with Anita? |
The Real Wizard 05.10.2016 12:45 |
Vocal harmony wrote:linkSebastian wrote: Even if that were the case (and I've no way to know if it was), I think it's in bad taste to focus on those alleged disagreeable actions when the person's just died. When Brian kicks it, should we direct our obituaries at how he cheated on Chrissie and then shagged his married secretary while he was with Anita? ^ when this happens... |
The Real Wizard 05.10.2016 12:47 |
Sebastian wrote: Wasn't Brian, according to you, the humblest person ever to have graced this earth? I personally don't think Mike was trying to outstage him, he had the chance to play lead for a few seconds and made the best out of it, and fair play to him for that. Jamie also played great solos on that spot, although less showy I reckon.It's not about humility (and no, I'd say Jose Murica slays Brian or just about anyone else on that matter). It's about not upstaging the boss, even when it's just a 15 second opportunity. You play for the home team, not for yourself. |
The Real Wizard 05.10.2016 12:49 |
Sebastian wrote: Even if that were the case (and I've no way to know if it was), I think it's in bad taste to focus on those alleged disagreeable actions when the person's just died. When Brian kicks it, should we direct our obituaries at how he cheated on Chrissie and then shagged his married secretary while he was with Anita?But you're right - now's not the time for speculation. A man just died. |
Oscar J 05.10.2016 16:53 |
Why give your 2nd guitarist solo spots if you can't let him shine for a few seconds? I personally enjoyed Jamie Moses solos in particular during Resurrection live, they were really well thought out, cool and melodic. The unfortunate downside of that is of course that it puts spotlight on Brian's by comparison limited improvisatory skills/licks repertoire. And yeah, shame about Michael Casswell, though I hadn't actually heard of him until now. |
AlexRocks 06.10.2016 01:06 |
How do we all know that he "did better later in life"? |
Sebastian 06.10.2016 07:47 |
There are plenty of post-1992 recordings he appears on (including Cozy Powell's very last album, on which Mike co-wrote every track) and he's got like a gazillion videos on YT. He was very versatile, far more than a 'Satriani clone.' |
The Real Wizard 06.10.2016 23:50 |
Sebastian wrote: He was very versatile, far more than a 'Satriani clone.'Yup. But not in 92. He even looked just like him. |
The Real Wizard 06.10.2016 23:51 |
Oscar J wrote: Why give your 2nd guitarist solo spots if you can't let him shine for a few seconds?There's a difference between shining and upstaging the guy signing the cheques. Ask literally any musician who's been a hired gun. You know your role, and Jamie Moses played it perfectly. It's why Brian called him for 15 years. |
Sebastian 07.10.2016 08:37 |
The Real Wizard wrote:Again, even if that were the case (and I've no way of knowing if it was), what's the problem with that? Satch was a friend of Brian's and a guitarist he admired and respected. Moreover, we don't know for sure (these are all just theories) that Mike was 'sacked' after the tour. Who knows? There could've been many different reasons for him not to continue. Chris Thompson wasn't on Brian's band after the South American gigs IIRC, should we also start badmouthing him?Sebastian wrote: He was very versatile, far more than a 'Satriani clone.'Yup. But not in 92. He even looked just like him. Even if Mike was actively trying to upstage Bri (and I don't see how ... it's not like he was unplugging Bri's guitar or playing solos when he wasn't supposed to), again, that shouldn't be the main topic of our conversation when there are people effectively mourning him. Again, in the case I'm still alive when Brian dies, should I hijack all threads mourning him with comments on his adultery, his ridiculous remark about HS being the inspiration for Thriller or the instances he forgot which album certain song belonged to? |
Oscar J 07.10.2016 09:54 |
The Real Wizard wrote: There's a difference between shining and upstaging the guy signing the cheques. Not sure the the difference is very big if you're a "Satriani clone", playing with Brian May and your solo style therefore is naturally way more technical. Brian is the one at fault here, hiring a guy that can play circles around him. Definitely agree Moses is a better fit. |
brian-harold-may 26643 08.10.2016 08:40 |
It's pretty common knowledge Casswell was sacked. 'Upstaging' was just one of the reasons. I had known Mike for the last ten years. Him and bri were not friends. |
Sebastian 08.10.2016 09:08 |
That might explain why Dr Bri did not mention anything on his Soapbox. Although, then again, he does not necessarily report *all* deaths in the rock world. |
cmsdrums 09.10.2016 04:43 |
brian-harold-may 26643 wrote: It's pretty common knowledge Casswell was sacked. 'Upstaging' was just one of the reasons. I had known Mike for the last ten years. Him and bri were not friends.Same here: a good friend of mine studied under Mike at ACM and remained friends with him....Mike was not averse to telling the odd story of issues with Brian. |
Pim Derks 09.10.2016 08:00 |
Let's spill the dirt. |
brian-harold-may 26643 11.10.2016 03:30 |
That's between Mike, Brian and the people they choose to tell I'm afraid! |
bootLuca 11.10.2016 12:08 |
Mike is also famous for its dvd's entitled "learn to play queen", volume 1 and 2 link |