MICKIE MOSTMickie Most, who died on 30 May, 2003, was one of the UK's most successful record producers who enjoyed phenomenal success on both sides of the Atlantic with acts such as The Animals, Herman's Hermits and Kim Wilde.Many will remember his stinging comments on the '70s television talent show 'New Faces', although he is probably best known for his work at RAK Records.In 1995, he appeared in the 'Sunday Times' annual Rich List with a fortune estimated to be valued at £50 million.He possessed the marvellous knack of picking songs that were perfectly suited to the artist, a magic touch which earned him countless number one hits during an illustrious career that spanned over 40 years.The son of a regimental sergeant-major, Michael Peter Hayes was born on 20 June, 1938, in Hampshire, England. He left school at 15 to become an apprentice in a metal works, but later had to have his toe amputated after an accident involving heavy machinery.Exempt from conscription during World War Two due to his accident, Mr Most formed a singing duo with friend Alex Murray and performed alongside numerous other young hopefuls at the infamous '2i's Coffee Bar' in Soho. They scored a minor hit with Decca Records in the mid-50s but soon after disbanded.He travelled with his wife to her native South Africa in 1959, where he officially changed his name to Mickie Most and formed another group, 'Mickie Most and the Playboys.' Although mostly cover versions, he became the country's first rock star, notching up 11 consecutive number one singles.The British beat explosion started on his return to London in 1963. Tired of touring, he took a job with Colombia Records and began searching for acts to produce. It was at a club in Newcastle where he later spotted 'The Animals', a group with whom he had his first worldwide number one, 'House of the Rising Sun', in 1964.Meanwhile, he enjoyed instant success with Manchester band 'Herman's Hermits', whose first collaborative production with Mr Most, 'I'm Into Something Good', went straight in at number one in 1964. That same year, he won a Grammy award for Producer of the Year, and further hits with Brenda Lee, Donovan, Lulu and The Seekers saw him through the '60s as one of the most successful producers in Britain.Towards the end of the 1960s, Mr Most and business partner, Peter Grant, established RAK management. RAK Records and RAK Music Publishing were also launched.During his later years, RAK singer Kim Wilde took the world by storm with her single, 'Kids in America', and Most appeared as a panellist on the British TV talent show 'New Faces'. He became notorious for his often critical comments.He was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in 2000, after which time his production work diminished, and he died on 30 May, 2003, at the age of 64.Nicky Chinn, a songwriter who worked with Mr Most for many years at his RAK record label, later remarked, 'He was a giant, something special. So many artists owe so much to him.'A father-of-two, he was credited with producing more number one hits worldwide than any other record producer. He spearheaded the 1960s 'British invasion' of America and, altogether, sold more than five million singles.He sold the RAK label to EMI in the late 1980s but kept the company name and recording studios. They still exist today, just north of Regents Park in London, and boast an impressive client list including Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry and Razorlight.
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