Mike Patto

Not to be confused with Mike Patton.

Mike Patto
Birth name	Michael Thomas McCarthy
Also known as	Patto
Born	(1942-09-22)22 September 1942 Cirencester, England
Died	4 March 1979(1979-03-04) (aged 36)
Genres	Progressive rock, pop
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1962–1979
Labels	Pye, Vertigo, Island, Deram

Mike Patto (born Michael Thomas McCarthy, 22 September 1942 – 4 March 1979)[1] was an English musician, who was primarily notable as lead singer for Spooky Tooth, Patto and Boxer.

Background

Patto was born in Cirencester, England, and first became vocalist and frontman for The Bo Street Runners, who won a TV band competition Ready Steady Win during 1964. He was a member of Timebox, his own band Patto, and Dick and the Firemen. In 1974, Patto joined Spooky Tooth as vocalist and keyboard player. He was also a founding member of the rock band Boxer.[1]

Career

He was the lead singer of the group Chicago Line aka The Chicago Line Blues Band. Other musicians included Tim Hinkley on keyboards, Ivan Zagni on guitar, Mike Fellana on trumpet, Louis Cennamo on bass and Viv Prince on drums.[2] The group released a single, "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop" bw "Jump Back" on Philips BF 1488 in May 1966.[3]

Death and legacy

Patto died of lymphatic leukemia at the age of 36.[1][4] Jim Capaldi wrote the song "Bright Fighter"[5] about him. His son Mike McCarthy is also a musician.

References

1. Doc Rock. "The 1970s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
2. East Anglian Music Archive - CHICAGO LINE BLUES BAND
3. 45Cat - Chicago Line - Discography
4. "Patto". Alexgitlin.com. 3 March 1979. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
5. Originally the B-side to the 1981 single "Child in the Storm", where it is dedicated "For Patto" on the picture sleeve. The song was later included on the box set Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story.

External links

• Bo Street Runners story