Andonis Michaelides Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Andonis Michaelides (24 July 1958 – 4 January 2011), better known as Mick Karn, was a British multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who rose to fame as the bassist for the art rock/new wave band Japan, from 1974 to 1982.He died of cancer in January 2011.
Use of the fretless bass guitar, an unusual instrument in modern popular music, produces a distinctive sound and playing style, which makes his playing immediately recognizable.
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It looked as if musicians were enjoying themselves and I was intrigued by their ability to escape into another world but frustrated with my own attempts to join in, However, it was only a matter of time before I found the right instrument and direction to aim for, purely by chance. The truth is I bluffed my way into the orchestra. I never learned to read music and played purely by ear, so was always very nervous about being heard in case of mistakes. Although it worked wonders with my memory for retaining music, I can't remember even one day that I actually enjoyed playing, until in front of an audience at the first LSSO concert.
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I learnt so much from David [Torn], for example how to prepare for a tour with only 2 days rehearsal, in other words, how to improvise, I remember we mainly talked about shoes in between the playing and I also learned that Jazz needn't be made up of endless solos, which had always held me back from listening to it.
3
I've never been a big fan of jazz, but it seemed a shame to not use some of the talent from CMP for my own recording. It was the first time for them to be involved in anything other than Jazz and with no information about keys or chord structures from me, led on to some great results. Just for the record, having never heard him play before, it was the head of CMP records who bought me a Jaco Pastorius CD.
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Although I think Jazz is a natural progression for many musicians, ie: the more you learn about music, the more complex it tends to become, I wanted to go the opposite way, to simplify my writing, to let it come from within without too much forethought.
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On his sculpture:- "Some were sold, others destroyed or left with friends that I've since lost contact with. I learnt, over the years, not to allow myself to become too attached to any completed work and thereby continuously move forward and on to the next project."
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"I wanted to be able to slide and bend notes as I'd learnt to do with the violin and so decided to take all the frets off the bass guitar. I also began playing bass directly after the bassoon which, although a bass instrument, often plays lead melodies, both of these factors were major influences in shaping the way I play. I couldn't help but feel that bass players were always hidden somewhere in the background whereas I was determined to be heard".
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"Middle Eastern music, predominantly Turkish, has been a big influence on my writing. My mother listened to it a lot when I was young, not a popular choice for a Greek Cypriot, and often in secret, so I grew up believing there was something mysterious about it. It's clearly there in every solo project, together with my other two great musical loves, classical and funk/soul music".
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I don't know about being the best, I still can't read music so I'm certainly not technically the best, I don't even know what the notes are on a bass. Sometimes I'm told I can't play that note with this chord, to which I reply: well, why not if it sounds good? The best? No, but having never heard anyone play in a similar way, I'd certainly consider perhaps being the most original!
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Fact
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Played an aluminum-neck Travis Bean bass on all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids. In 1981 he moved to the renowned Wal basses, purchasing two Mark I instruments, one with rare African tulipwood facings, the other a cherry solidbody. He recorded Japan's last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and has continued to use them, and now also plays the headless Klein 'K Bass'.
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Bassist with successful British band Japan 1974 - 1982. Fellow members: David Sylvian, Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Identification of a Woman
1982
writer: "Sons of Pioneers"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Top Ten
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation
1988
TV Special documentary
Himself
Oil on Canvas
1983
Video
Himself (as Japan)
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala
1982
Documentary
Himself
Pop Quiz
1982
TV Series
Himself
The Old Grey Whistle Test
1982
TV Series
Himself
No 73
1982
TV Series
Himself
Tiswas
1981
TV Series
Himself
Oxford Road Show
1981
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala (1982) as Himself
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation (1988) as Himself
$12 Million
