Michael John Underwood (78) (September 5, 1945 – July 28, 2024) was an English drummer. He first played drums at the age of 14 and was a professional musician by the time he left school.
Underwood has collaborated with a number of notable musicians and groups, including Jet Harris, The Outlaws (with Ritchie Blackmore), The Herd (with Peter Frampton), Episode Six (with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover), Quatermass (with John Gustafson) and Gillan (again with Gillan). He was also the drummer for Mick Underwood’s Glory Road.
Early life
Underwood was born in Middlesex on September 5, 1945. At the age of 14 he was given his first drum, a second-hand snare drum, and added a third-hand bass drum shortly after. He received drum tuition from Jim Marshall, who went on to become the inventor and manufacturer of the Marshall amplifier. During this period, Underwood met Ritchie Blackmore (then known as Ricky Blackmore) and the two played together in a band called The Dominators, although Underwood was eventually asked to leave the band for “…playing too loud!”
His next band was The Satellites, until he was invited to join The Crescents, who were playing residencies at large ballrooms. Underwood left school at 16 to work with Jet Harris, and joined a tour of Britain with Sam Cooke and Little Richard. It was at the end of this tour that Screaming Lord Sutch (in whose band, The Savages, Blackmore now played) suggested he approach the independent record producer Joe Meek for further session work.
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A reviewer of Underwood’s work at this time described his drumming style as “…coupling Charlie Watts type steadiness with little Jim McCarty style flourishes.” Blackmore eventually moved to another of Meeks’ bands, joining Heinz Burt’s backing band The Wild Boys, but he and Underwood still collaborated in recording sessions with Meek’s engineer Derek Lawrence. . . .
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At the end of the residency, Underwood decided to stay with the band, the James Royal Set to tour with Johnny Cash.
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Grant went on to recruit two previously unknown musicians, the singer Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham, and the band became Led Zeppelin.
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1979–1982
Former Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice had also auditioned for Gillan but according to guitarist Bernie Torme “…he had some difficulty after playing “Secret of the Dance” due to his only having one lung, and being a bit out of practice. He played it brilliantly but he had to lie down on the floor for five minutes afterwards. He did not want to join because of our fast tracks, he said he no longer wanted to play stuff like that. I think the fact that he had been offered to join Whitesnake with his old friend Jon Lord made a big difference. Meeting Gillan again at the studio had obviously put Underwood’s name on the list of potentials for the job, and as Torme revealed “…we finally found the magnificently solid and under-appreciated Mick Underwood. The day after he accepted the job, Underwood and the band began to record the Mr. Universe album, released in October 1979.
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In August 2023, his wife Sue posted the following message on Mick’s Facebook:
For those that don’t know already, Mick is no longer using Facebook. Very sadly, he has been battling a mixed Dementia diagnosis for some time. He is unable to do many of the things he had previously enjoyed, one of which was chatting with you all and I know he certainly appreciated your support over the years.
On behalf of the family, we also appreciate the enthusiasm you have shown for Mick and his music, it is lovely to know how appreciated his talent is. Thank you.
All the best, Sue”
Mick Underwood died on 28 July 2024, at the age of 78.
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Go here to read Mr. Underwood’s extensive biography:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Underwood
Website: https://www.mickunderwoodsgloryroad.com
Photo: Mick Underwood | From Gordon Scott’s Facebook page
Mick Underwood, Drummer with Ritchie Blackmore, Peter Frampton, Ian Gillan and More, Dies
