A Breath of Fresh Air July 2

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.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. 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 worldwide hit (and U.S. number 1) with the title track being sung by Carrack. 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”. 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.