PAUL CARRACK: The Man with the Golden Voice and the Hits to Prove It
Want to know what happened to Paul Carrack?
Why he left Mike and the Mechanics?
Which song he wrote for the Eagles and what he’s doing now?
Well, tune in and find out!
English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Paul Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music. He’s been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, the Frankie Miller Band, The Undertones, The Smiths, John Hiatt, The Pretenders and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well.
Born in Sheffield, Paul began with semi-pro bands playing pubs and clubs locally. At age 17 he played in European discos and at army bases. He joined the band Warm Dust in 1970.
In 1972, Paul formed Ace who enjoyed success with 3 albums, a worldwide hit "How Long" (which Paul wrote), and a US tour with the group Yes. In 1977 he joined the Frankie Miller Band for 2 albums before joining Roxy Music in 1978. Paul toured the U.K. and Europe and played on their albums Manifesto & Flesh And Blood.
In 1985, Carrack joined Mike Rutherford’s group Mike + The Mechanics, who enjoyed international fame with "Silent Running" on which Paul sang lead vocal, and they toured until 1986.
Mike & The Mechanics resumed in late 1988, recorded their second album, The Living Years, and had a world wide hit (and U.S. number 1) with the title track being sung by Carrack. When The Mechanics resumed other interests, Carrack began recording his fourth album Groove Approved released in late 1989.
During a 1994 tour of the UK, US and Japan, he aided Mike & The Mechanics in the recording of their 4th album Beggar On A Beach Of Gold (1995) which included two Carrack songs, one of which, "Over My Shoulder" achieved popularity in the UK and Europe.
In January 1996, Paul Carrack found European success with ‘How Long’ and ‘Eyes of Blue’ from Blue Views. By the end of 1996 he was opening for Sting’s UK tour, and sang a duet with Sting.
Paul maintains an active solo career to the present day. He still sings some of his affiliated bands’ best-known hits, including Ace’s "How Long"; Squeeze’s "Tempted"; and Mike + The Mechanics’ "Silent Running" ,"The Living Years" and "Over My Shoulder".
He has also performed lead vocals on tracks from the Roger Waters albums Radio K.A.O.S. and The Wall – Live in Berlin, and achieved a major solo hit with "Don’t Shed a Tear".
Paul’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Michael McDonald and Jools Holland, and he has recently served as a session and/or touring musician for Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, and Madness.
