Mike Hazlewood
English singer, composer and songwriter (1941–2001)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mike Hazlewood (24 December 1941 – 6 May 2001)[1] was a British singer-songwriter and composer. He variously worked with Albert Hammond, T-Bone Burnett, Van Dyke Parks and Harry Nilsson.[2]
Mike Hazlewood | |
|---|---|
| Died | 6 May 2001 (aged 59) Florence, Italy |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, composer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1966–2001 |
| Formerly of | The Family Dogg, Hammond & Hazlewood |
Biography
Educated at Hazelwick School, in Crawley, West Sussex, Hazlewood began his career as a DJ at the radio station Radio Luxembourg in the early 1960s. In 1966, he founded the group the Family Dogg with Albert Hammond and Steve Rowland.[3] In addition, he often wrote songs in collaboration with Hammond such as "Green Green Trees", "Little Arrows" for Leapy Lee,[4] and "Gimme Dat Ding" for the Pipkins.[5] Hammond and Hazlewood wrote "The Air That I Breathe" which was originally released by Hammond in 1972, and then on Phil Everly's 1973 solo album Star Spangled Springer.[6] The song was subsequently a huge hit for the Hollies.[7]
Hazlewood's collaboration with Hammond resulted in co-written songs for the latter such as "It Never Rains in Southern California"[8] and "The Free Electric Band".[1][9] Hazlewood also recorded a single with Hammond under the moniker 'Hammond-Hazlewood' called 'Hey Love let me in'.
Hazlewood and Hammond also wrote the international hit song "Make Me an Island" for the Irish singer Joe Dolan in 1969,[10] as well as his follow-up singles, "Teresa"[11] and "You're Such a Good Looking Woman".[12] The latter became a signature hit for Dolan, topping the Irish charts twice, in 1970 and 1997 when he re-recorded it with Dustin the Turkey. Hazlewood also wrote the song "Southern Lady", which was recorded by Rita Coolidge.[13]
During the late 1980s, Hazlewood held the theatrical rights to Mervyn Peake's novel Mr. Pye, and completed a musical theatre version of the book in collaboration with Howard Lee Sloan, the American-born pianist and composer.[citation needed]
Hazlewood and Hammond are also credited as co-writers of the 1992 Radiohead song, "Creep". Due to similarities to "The Air That I Breathe", Radiohead was successfully sued for plagiarism.[14][15] "Creep" used a chord progression taken from "The Air That I Breathe" in its verse, and a melody from the latter in the bridge following the second chorus.[16]
On 6 May 2001, Hazlewood died aged 59 from a heart attack, during his holiday in Florence, Italy.[2]