Mike Hurst (producer)
| Mike Hurst | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael John Longhurst Pickworth |
| Born |
19 September 1942 Kilburn, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
| Instruments | guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Associated acts | Cat Stevens, The Springfields, Showaddywaddy, Shakin' Stevens, Manfred Mann, Sundance |
| Website | www |
Mike Hurst (born Michael John Longhurst Pickworth, 19 September 1942) is an English musician and record producer.
A singer, songwriter and guitarist from the age of 13, Mike Hurst was encouraged by rock singer Eddie Cochran after auditioning for Jack Good's television show Oh Boy! but in 1960, after failing to secure a recording contract, Hurst moved away from music and began to work in insurance. Later, though, after his mother answered an advertisement in The Stage, on his behalf, for a singer for a pop/folk group, Hurst won an audition. He joined Dusty and Tom Springfield in The Springfields in February 1962.
After entering the British charts with the hit "Breakaway" they scored a hit single in the US with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", becoming the first UK vocal group to make the US Top 20. UK chart success continued in 1963 with "Island of Dreams" and "Say I Won't Be There". They were voted the top British group by readers of the NME in 1962. The Springfields' final performance was in Sunday Night at the London Palladium, the biggest television programme of the day, where they were presented with a trophy by compere Bruce Forsyth.
The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music states the Springfields, jointly and severally were probably responsible for more hits than any other British group except the Beatles, over 50.
The group disbanded in October 1963. In 1964, Hurst formed a band called the Methods, featuring Jimmy Page and then Albert Lee on guitar as well as Tony Ashton on keyboards. After leaving the band Hurst began producing for Andrew Oldham (Tony Rivers and the Castaways) and Mickie Most. In September 1965 he oversaw Marc Bolan's first recording session, at Decca when he recorded "The Wizard".
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