About Me
Gold records, sold out concert tours, MTV video and network TV appearances, numerous magazine features and recognition in the form of several guitar awards. Over the last 25 years Mitch Perry has accomplished all of the above in a career working alongside some of the most renowned and popular musicians in the world. Through his recording and touring experience with acts ranging from the Michael Schenker Group to Cher, Mitch has accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge and experience that has inevitably led to him fronting his own project. Be it via his guitar playing or even when singing lead vocals, as he is finally doing on his third solo release (due out by the end of 2007), Mitch is poised to become a star in his own right.Mitch was flown out to Los Angeles at the age of 18 by virtuoso Weather Report and Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson in January of 1980. When that project disbanded Mitch replaced Randy Rhoads of Quiet Riot in the renamed DuBrow, but quickly left that band when offered the chance to work with Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes. After the Hughes affiliation Mitch replaced Yngwie Malmsteen in Steeler where bassist Billy Sheehan spotted him and subsequently asked him to record "Live Speed on Ice" with Talas. From there Mitch segued to CBS recording act Heaven where one of the highlights of that association was the recording of MTV favorite "Knocking on Heavens Door". The band also toured the U.S. and Canada extensively in response to the massive airplay that the single received. During this period he also guested on albums by Faster Pussycat, Keel, Frankie Miller, and Graham Nash as well as adding keyboards to Aerosmith's "Classics Live" release.In 1987 Mitch was enlisted by Michael Schenker to share guitar duties on the landmark M.S.G. album "Perfect Timing". During his time with M.S.G. Mitch toured America, Japan and Europe along with major groups such as Def Leppard and Whitesnake. With his standout performances Mitch built quite a large following in his own right, eventually leading to him being invited on as special guest star for the 'Guitar Heroes' tour of Japan in 1989. This inspired him to form his own group with Quiet Riot vocalist Paul Shortino in 1990, which they called Badd Boyz. The band eventually put out one album in Japan in addition to playing wherever they could stateside. In between Badd Boys shows Mitch also toured the US, Europe and Australia with music and big screen icon Cher whenever his schedule allowed. He was also featured on a live ABC TV special with her (on a bill including Bette Midler, Robin Williams, and Olivia Newton-John amongst others) in addition to performing her hit 'If I Could Turn Back Time' at the MTV Video Awards as well. Mitch would also play the odd live show or two as a member of comedic genius Sam Kinison's band. Meanwhile, the Badd Boyz lineup was gradually evolving into the band 7% Solution as future LA Guns vocalist Ralph Saenz was called in to replace Shortino in the beginning of 1993.In 1994 Mitch joined up with Edgar Winter after following Carmine Appice into his lineup upon returning from the 'Super Rock Session' tour of Japan (that featured Mitch and Carmine along with Jimmy Page's bassist Tony Franklin). Thus begun a record setting stint as Edgar's guitarist that endured for over eight years, outlasting the tenures of both Rick Derringer and Ronnie Montrose combined. It resulted in three CD's - two of Edgar's solo releases including 'Winter Blues' which proved to be Edgar's most successful release since the days of 'Frankenstein', as well as Edgar's contributions to Mitch's first solo CD 'Wire To Wire' (released in Japan in 1996, it's still a fan favorite and sells briskly at Mitch's live shows today!). They also recorded a new version of 'Free Ride' together for a national ad campaign for Buick that ran on TV for over a year. As they were performing as many as 150-200 shows each year they would hit everything from smokey bars to major concert venues such as the Montreaux Jazz Festival, where they appeared with the legendary B.B. King in 1999. That year also saw the release of Mitch's second solo CD, a compilation of unreleased tracks from 7% Solution and Badd Boys that received much critical acclaim.The new millennium brought Mitch further recognition as 'Best Rock Guitarist' at the 2000 L.A Music Awards, where other winners that night included Steve Lukather and Jackson Browne. By the spring of 2001, however, as the constant touring as a sideman with Edgar was wearing out it's attraction, an opportunity to become professionally involved with Mitch's lifelong passion of racing cars presented itself. Shortly after a special appearance performing with Edgar at that years Grammy Awards, Mitch decided to leave the band and apart from playing guitar for himself and writing new songs when inspired, Mitch didn't perform or record for almost a year. Shortly after returning to the road for a brief Bulletboys tour in January of 2002, he was asked to assemble a band to perform in Tahiti later that summer. This led to the formation of the band the Rhythm Junkies with whom he still performs today. He was also asked to contribute a musical track to the 9/11 tribute album 'Guitars For Freedom' alongside such guitar greats as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Jose Feliciano, and Robin Trower. In addition to playing with the 'Junkies', 2003 was to see Mitch join XYZ for some live performances. Mitch also went to Europe in the fall of 2004 with Dio and Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson's band War & Peace where they recorded for a live album at Liverpool's infamous Cavern Club, home of none other than The Beatles. While there, Mitch also worked out a deal to re release "Better Late Than Never" (under a new title) on Z Records in Europe.Once back home he received a second L.A. music award, this one a 'Career Achievement Award' honoring his session work, as well as a 'Rockie' for Outstanding Guitar Player of 2005 from the L.A. music mag Rock City News. Mitch was then asked to add guitars to debut artist Summer Rose's new CD. This led to other sessions with producer David Holman (whose credits include No Doubt, Bush and Adema). During one of them, Mitch played some of his new material for Holman and it was quickly agreed that as soon as possible they should enter the studio to record. As we enter the summer of 2007 that is exactly where we find Mitch, hard at work on a new CD. In addition he has secured a deal with SBC Records to release ‘Wire to Wire’ in the US for the first time and is getting ready to support that with some live shows. After 25 years he's still going strong, and while only the future knows for sure what's in store for Mitch Perry, give one listen to some of the results coming out of the studio, and you get the feeling it's going to be good...........
