Michael Murphy – Keys, Vocals, Producer, DSTV Music
Michael
Bryan
Murphy
Michael Murphy is the former keyboard player and lead singer for REO Speedwagon from 1973-76. His lead vocals allowed REO to complete Ridin’ the Storm Out. He then recorded two more albums with them, Lost in a Dream and This Time We Mean It. Michael went on to perform with such noteworthy groups as Chuck E. Weiss & The Goddamn Liars, and Billy Vera and the Beaters. He also spent time touring with classic artists Johnny Rivers, Seals & Crofts, as well as the Blue Hawaiians. Most recently, Michael toured with Pete Anderson, and produced Pete’s release, Birds Over Guitar Land. Find Michael’s discography here, or just watch Drumsmack TV on any Tuesday night – he plays live keys on the show!
See an Interview with Michael Murphy on Drumsmack TV Episode 10
Michael is the vocalist on REO Speedwagon’s Ridin’ the Storm Out.
REO Speedwagon ‘Ridin Storm Out’ Album Cover
How can I contact Mike Murphy. Just downloaded a bunch of tunes from Lost In A Dream and This Time We Mean It. Thank you.
We’ll pass that one to Murphy 🙂 Thanks for listening, Kevin!
I really only loved REO with Michael and Gary. What a voice and loss IMO when he left. I always run my horse through the rain ❤
Went to high school with Mike At Newman in Sterling Ill Married our classmate Rosemary Valente . Last I knew he was in California. If I find his Email I will let you know !!
mike murphy always had a better voice than cronin love his music does he have a e address ?
We’ll have to get him set up with a drumsmack email!
I’d love to get his autograph! I have met most of REO past and present.
Michael,,,,,,Remember you not only from REO, but, The One Eyed Jacks playing around Spfld IL way back when. Always wondered what happened to you after REO.
Hired Mike’s bands for our high school dances (Inspirations, 13th Precinct). Followed him thru the Jacks,REO,etc.Played sax with him at Boar’s Head in Springfield Il numerous times. Lost touch. Love to hear from him. Knew brother Terry also. Another great Keyboard man and singer.
Glad you think so Gale, we do too!!
I am good friends with Jerry and Mary Ann Milam from Golden Voice Studios in Pekin, and they would really like to hear from Mike. Any way I could get an email address for him?
Rick, thanks for reaching out. Can’t pass Michael’s email out, but we can definitely relay a message! Email groove@drumsmack.com
Just wanted to let Mike know that Gary Richrath is kicking around East Peoria playing with local bands and supposedly looking to put a band together. Would be cool to see Mike and Gary together again. Lost In A Dream is REO’s best album!! If need be, I could possibly put them in touch. I live down the street from Gary’s mom’s, where Gary is staying. Please pass this on if you could!! Thanks!
I agree about Lost in a Dream…one of REO’s best albums…if not THE best.
Always loved Mike’s vocals on Son of a Poor Man….one of my favorite R.E.O. hits. He was their BEST vocalist!
Hey man just now resurfacing
BEEN AWHILE
Lost in a Dream is one of my favorite REO albums, and a lot of that attributes to Mike. I would love to hear him sing some of those tunes again someday.
I first saw Michael at Poynette with The One Eyed Jacks He put the Hook in me with ‘Hard to Handle’ His REO work is still my Fav’ I worked for SIR and Johnny Rivers among others Poynette A NICE weekend in WI in APRIL???? Are you kiddin’ me? It happens once every forty years The Jacks played about 2- 3 in the morning A transcendental Experience Cheers Michael
The multi-talented Mike Murphy. Worth a watch/listen
http://youtu.be/WuECp89Ya_8
Dear Mr. Murphy,
I so appreciate your music. Your recordings with REO are at the top of my list. Like your style and stuff, better than Cronin. Just wanna say thanks.
I have been a huge fan of Michael’s since the early 70’s. The only REO albums i own are from the Michael Murphy era. Glad to have found this site!
I saw Michael with 13th precinct at my high school freshman orientation dance and everyone just stood there with their mouth dropped open in awe of how great a singer he was! We all had butch haircuts and he had that long hair down his back! What a band even back then!
Lived in your old house on 8th street and your sister was our babysitter. Love telling that story.
Mike played with my uncle’s band in sterling Illinois. Bill Watley and the Metronomes. Wondered if he remembers his early days around sterling and rock falls.
What a CUTIE Mike was .I co wrote a couple of songs with him when he was with Billy Beater and the Vera’s (as I always called him LOL)
I got side tracked from him and our writing when I went back to England for awhile. I think we were a bit InLike ” with each other ..How are you Mike/ I remember you losing your cat and felt bad 🙁 I hope you are happy a fine talent and person you are 🙂
Hugs from Debbie King ( Now in Costa Rica ) xx Are you on twitter?
Is this the same Michael Murphy who once played with the One Eyed Jacks in Urbana IL?
Mike. Your vocal track on No Expression (don’t be the man) has touched something deep in my soul since I first heard it around 74. The way you used your vibrato on those lines kills me everytime. But I love the complete LP start to finish .now that I know there are
3 More Lps with same line up I’ll check them Out.
If you are ever in Nashville and need an old
Rock bass cat holler at
Me. It would be an honour to lay down a track just as you want it anyway thanks for all those feelings that come over me listening to that LP
Roy Mullins bass/vocals
Lowfreq58 @att.net
615 972 5747
Hello,
My name is Rick Joswick (a drummer by the way).
I’m an old friend and band mate (One Eyed Jacks) and I’m trying to reach him. I’m organizing a One Eyed Jacks/Champaign (Ill.) Reunion on May 6th and we are hoping Mike can be there.
Can you pass this on to him ASAP.
Rick Joswick
my first child was conceived listening to the release of this time we mean it, would love to meet you mr murphy
Hey Mr. Murphy, I hope all is well given this thread is a few years old. I just want to say thank you for the fantastic and inspiring music you’ve made in your life. You’re a true talent that is even appreciated by younger generations like me. I wish you well my friend.
Hi Mike Murphy, tried to leave a message earlier but it didn’t work. I met you when I was a kid and you were playing the Canteen in Mendota Illinois where I was a kid in the alley telling you about my Farfisa organ. You have remained an inspiration and influence on me as a keyboard player in bands for 50 years now Thank you.
I met Michael Murphy in the early 70s before he joined REO. I played guitar in a band that sometimes played the same places. I always loved his hair and his voice, especially God Bless the Child, which i heard him sing several times. Too bad there’s not a recording of it.
Mike, This is Danny Smith from Muncie , You and J Michael we’re good friends back in the day. I took you , J Michael, and Rick Booher with me to Tape Maststers Studio to do a Demo. I still have the 1/4 track mix down of that Miss the Party days we shared, but have moved past that. I would love to here from you.