Mickie Most

Mickie Most, born Michael Peter Hayes- (June 20, 1938- May 30, 2003), successful record producer notably with a string of Number 1 hit singles with his own RAK Recordslabel and acts such as The Animals

Mickie Most, born Michael Peter Hayes- (June 20, 1938- May 30, 2003), successful record producer notably with a string of Number 1 hit singles with his own RAK Recordslabel and acts such as The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, and Suzi Quatro.

Most was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. The son of a regimental sergeant-major, he moved with his parents to the north London suburb of Harrow in 1951. Most was heavily influenced by skiffle music and early rock 'n' roll in his youth. Leaving school at the age of 15, he worked as a singing waiter at London's famous Two I's Coffee Bar where he made friends with future business partner Peter Grant, and formed a singing duo with Alex Wharton who billed themselves as The Most Brothers. They scored a minor hit with Decca Records called "Takes a Whole Lotta Loving to Keep My Baby Happy" before disbanding. Wharton later went on to produce the Moody Blues single "Go Now". After officially changing his name to Mickie Most in 1959, he travelled to South Africa with his wife Christina, and formed a pop group, Mickie Most and the Playboys. The band scored eleven consecutive Number 1 singles playing mostly cover versions by Ray Peterson, Gene Vincent, and Eddie Cochran. Returning to London in 1962, Most appeared with other musicians on package tours as well as recording "Mister Porter", which became a minor hit in 1963.