Mike Harlow : Biography

Bass

Born:  Faversham, Kent

Influences:

Aretha - Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple - Elgar. Chris Squire and Pino Palladino.

Bass Guitars:     1977 Rickenbacker 4001   

             Washburn Active Bass

Started playing brass instruments at Ethelbert Road Secondary School, Faversham. First the trumpet but my mouth was too big!!! So I moved onto the E Flat bass (tuba). Lots of brass concerts and cut my first vinyl record in 1979, 'Reflection In Brass' with the rest of the band - how cool!!
Had a few guitar lessons at school too, but quickly claimed the Bass guitar when the school purchased one for the music department. First "gig" with school friends playing a cover of the Jam's 'David Watts'.

From 1981 to 1984 I played in two local bands, 'Loose Ends' and 'Life Line'. 1987 to 1991 two more bands 'Free Fall' and 'In Like Thieves' all playing rock and chart covers.

1991-2004 - mostly spent time travelling but not much playing, until joining Purple in April 2004.