Mike Finnigan biography (The Musicians' Olympus)

MIKE FINNIGAN

Breath-taking keyboardist, also a superb singer. He has been associated during many years to Crosby, Stills & Nash in their different incarnations.

JERRY HAHN BROTHERHOOD

x:

x
Tony Reeves (bass)
Dave Tomlin (sax)
Jon Hiseman (drums)

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xMike Taylor
Dave Tomlin
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Jon Hiseman

FINNIGAN & WOOD

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xPete Lemer (keyboards)
Tony Reeves (bass)
John Surman (sax)
George (Nisar Ahmad) Khan (sax)
Jon Hiseman (drums)

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xJohn Surman
George (Nisar Ahmad) Khan
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Pete Lemer
Jon Hiseman

BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY

This band is mostly famous due to Janis Joplin singing with them for 2 years. After Janis left them, they split for a while, but they reunited in August 1969, with Mike Finnigan.

Nick Gravenites (vocals)
Kathi McDonald (vocals)
Sam Andrew (guitar, vocals)
James Gurley (guitar)
David Schallock (guitar)
Peter Albin (bass, vocals)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
David Getz (drums)
Mike Finnigan was in the band for a short time. He appears as a guest in their album Be a brother.

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Nick Gravenites
Kathi McDonald
Sam Andrew
James Gurley
David Schallock
Peter Albin
David Getz

NU BOOGALOO EXPRESS

This short-lived band was formed in May 70, and went through many different lineups. Mike Finnigan played with them for a short period (another occasional member was Bill Champlin).

Danny Nudalman (vocals, guitar)
Terry Haggerty (guitar)
David Schallock (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards)
Geoff Palmer (keyboards)
David Getz (drums)

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Danny Nudalman
Terry Haggerty
David Schallock
Geoff Palmer
David Getz

MARIA MULDAUR

Then, Mike joined Maria Muldaur band. I need help with info!

Maria Muldaur (vocals)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards)
+ others unknown to me. Help!

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Maria Muldaur

STEPHEN STILLS & THE CALIFORNIA BLUES BAND

Stephen Stills, as everybody knows, has been playing with Crosby, Nash & Young in different lineups and incarnations. When they aren't together, everybody resumes his own career. In January 1979, Stills forms his own California Blues Band, with an impressive lineup, where Finnigan not only provides fantastic organ playing, plus powerful harmony vocals.

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Bonnie Bramlett (vocals)
Gerry Tolman (guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
Dallas Taylor (drums)
They recorded the album Thoroughfare gap. They changed most of the lineup in June 1979:

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Brooks Hunnicut (vocals)
Gerry Tolman (guitar)
Gerald Johnson (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Pete Escovedo (percussion)
Sheila Escovedo (percussion)
Bill Meeker (drums)
They stop touring in December 1979.

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Bonnie Bramlett
Gerry Tolman
George Perry
Joe Lala
Joe Vitale
Dallas Taylor
Brooks Hunnicut
Gerald Johnson
Pete Escovedo
Sheila Escovedo
Bill Meeker
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
Stephen Stills

STILLS - NASH BAND

In June 1980, Stills and Nash team again:

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Michael Stergis (guitar)
Trey Thompson (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Bill Meeker (drums)
In September 1980, they change their rhythm section:

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Michael Stergis (guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Joe Vitale (drums)
They stayed together until June 1982, when old mate David Crosby joins them, so we have CSN again!

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Michael Stergis
Trey Thompson
Joe Lala
Bill Meeker
George Perry
Joe Vitale
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
Stephen Stills
Graham Nash

DUDEK FINNIGAN KRUEGER BAND

This was a superband formed by Les Dudek:

Les Dudek (guitar, vocals)
Jim Krueger (guitar)
Trey Thompson (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Bill Meeker (drums)
They released a self-titled album in 1980, Dudek Finnigan Krueger Band, before splitting soon later. CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

June 1982 was the third time CSN came to life.

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Michael Stergis (guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
James Newton-Howard (keyboards)
Efrain Toro (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
They released the nice album Daylight again.

(1982, Atlantic) 1. Joe Vitale : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bMichael Finnigan : o,bvCraig Doerge : synthStephen Stills : Rhodes,egMichael Stergis : egGraham Nash : egTimothy B. Schmit : bv2. Russell Kunkel : drBob Glaub : bJoe Lala : percCraig Doerge : kJoel Bernstein : agMichael Stergis : agStephen Stills : agWayne Goodwin : fiddleTimothy B. Schmit : bv3. Joe Vitale : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bJoe Lala : percRichard T. Bear : p,synthMichael Finnigan : CP-30,bvStephen Stills : ag,egMichael Stergis : agTimothy B. Schmit : bv4. Joe Vitale : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bJoe Lala : percMichael Finnigan : ep,bvGraham Nash : o,egStephen Stills : egMichael Stergis : eg,bvTimothy B. Schmit : bv5. Russell Kunkel : drLeland Sklar : bCraig Doerge : k,synthDean Parks : eg6. Jeff Porcaro : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bJoe Lala : percStephen Stills : CP-30,Rhodes,egMichael Stergis : agGerry Tolman : egMichael Finnigan : bv7. Joe Vitale : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bJoe Lala : percGraham Nash : percStephen Stills : perc,egMichael Finnigan : p,o,bvMichael Stergis : eg8. Russell Kunkel : drTimothy B. Schmit : b,bvGraham Nash : pJay Ferguson : oCraig Doerge : synth,RhodesJoel Bernstein : agMichael Stergis : ag,egRoberleigh Barnhart, Miguel Martinez, Ernie Ehrhardt : celliCelli arranged by Wayne Goodwin9. Joe Vitale : drGeorge "Chocolate" Perry : bJoe Lala : percMichael Finnigan : k,bvMichael Stergis : agStephen Stills : egGraham Nash : harmonicaTimothy B. Schmit : bv10. Craig Doerge : pMichael Finnigan : o11a. Stephen Stills : ag,banjoArthur Garfunkel : bv11b. Arthur Garfunkel : bv ***1/2 Daylight Again (Crosby, Stills & Nash: 1982) I'm amazed that this one came out as well as it did. Crosby was so dysfunctional that he didn't write one of his two contributions, and it sounds like he doesn't even sing harmony most of the time, with keyboardist Mike Finnigan and ex-Eagle Tim Schmit taking his place. Meanwhile, you'd expect Nash to drag down Stills by manufacturing sappy love songs. But he doesn't, and the Nash-Stills combo ends up working marvelously, resulting in a smooth, tuneful mid-70's L.A. rock sound. So what if it's retro: there's hardly any of the grating synth aesthetic of so much early 80's rock, and there's hardly any of the annoying sentimentality and self-righteous political claptrap you'll hear on later CSN records. Nash's "Wasted On The Way" was a massive Top Ten hit here, and Stills' follow-up "Southern Cross" also cracked the Top 40. But Crosby's pensive "Delta" and the Stills-Nash "Turn Your Back On Love" are fine songs as well. Fans can't miss. The band here is mostly Stills' - Kunkel, Lala, Perry, and Finnigan, joined by guitarist Michael Stergis and keyboardist Craig Doerge. But there are tons of other session cats floating around, plus one important guest: Art Garfunkel, who harmonizes on a pointless "Find The Cost Of Freedom" remake (title track). (JA) But Vitale, Newton-Howard and Perry leave the band in December 1982. They are substituted for their next tour, starting in April 1983:

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Michael Stergis (guitar)
Kenny Passarelli (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Efrain Toro (percussion)
Rick Jaeger (drums)
A live album is released, the fantastic Allies, recorded with different lineups. It also includes a couple of new studio tracks.

But the reunion is aborted when David Crosby is sentenced to jail in August 1983. Everybody went its own way again, but most of the musicians (including Finnigan stay with Stills).

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Michael Stergis
George Perry
James Newton-Howard
Efrain Toro
Joe Vitale
Kenny Passarelli
Kim Bullard
Rick Jaeger
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Graham Nash

STEPHEN STILLS BAND

They were formed in 1983:

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Rick Jaeger (drums)
Stills released a new album, Right by you, featuring an special guest, Jimmy Page. Rick Jaeger left the band, being replaced by a fantastic musician, prolific Ian Wallace:

Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
But the band splits when Stills joins Crosby & Nash (again). Most of the musicians remained in the band.

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
George Perry
Kim Bullard
Joe Lala
Rick Jaeger
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Ian Wallace
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
Stephen Stills

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (again)

They toured together in the summer of 1984:

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Kenny Passarelli (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
But very soon, Passarelli leaves, and old friend George Perry comes back, just for that summer.

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Ian Wallace (drums)
Next time they sing together was in summer 1985, where they also played at Live Aid festival.

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
George Perry (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Craig Doerge (keyboards)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Mark Williams (drums)
And, a new split.

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Kenny Passarelli
Kim Bullard
Joe Lala
George Perry
Craig Doerge
Mark Williams
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Ian Wallace
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Graham Nash

STEPHEN STILLS BAND (again)

From 1986 onwards, Stephen Stills has reformed his own band when he is not playing with CS&N. It's hard to trace the many different lineups, but Mike Finnigan is usually in all of them, as Mike and Stephen are great friends.

Some of the musicians featured in the band along the years have been: Bob Glaub (bass), George Perry (bass), Lenny McDaniel (bass), John Regan (bass), Jim Ehinger (keyboards), Joe Vitale (drums), Ian Wallace (drums), Mark Williams (drums), Tony Beard (drums), etc.

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Bob Glaub
George Perry
Lenny McDaniel
John Regan
Jim Ehinger
Joe Vitale
Mark Williams
Tony Beard
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Ian Wallace
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
Stephen Stills

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (again)

In 1987, we have them together again.

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Bob Glaub (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
In 1988, they played at Atlantic's 40th anniversary show (that I have taped on video). Neil Young was supposed to join them, but he didn't make it, due to some illness. In 1989, they also played at the Berlin Wall. In 1990, there's a new reunion:

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Jorge Calderon (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Michito Sanchez (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
And the story goes on and on...

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Bob Glaub
Joe Lala
Joe Vitale
Jorge Calderon
Kim Bullard
Michito Sanchez
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Graham Nash

DAVID CROSBY BAND

**1/2 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents David Crosby (Crosby: rec. 1989, rel. 1996) If you got a charge out of the contemporary solo record, you might find this amusing. The track selection is split evenly between late 80's material like "Compass" and early CSNY favorites like "Wooden Ships," with only one song spanning the gap ("Delta," from Daylight Again). You'd think that Crosby's 1971 solo record and long collaboration with Nash had never happened. But Crosby's performance is really solid; he starts with some earnest solo acoustic numbers, brings in the band for a bunch of Oh Yes I Can tunes, then runs through the CSNY material, and through all of it he's in total command. The no-name musicians are all competent - Mike Finnigan is the sole long-time studio crony, and he's also the only real bummer, ruining one song with an excruciating vocal. With 14 tracks and a one-hour running time, this is surely a better buy than the much more commonly available It's All Coming Back To Me Now, which duplicates almost the whole CSNY section. (JA)

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Bob Glaub (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Joe Lala (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
In 1988, they played at Atlantic's 40th anniversary show (that I have taped on video). Neil Young was supposed to join them, but he didn't make it, due to some illness. In 1989, they also played at the Berlin Wall. In 1990, there's a new reunion:

David Crosby (vocals, guitar)
Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar)
Graham Nash (vocals, guitar)
Jorge Calderon (bass)
Mike Finnigan (keyboards, vocals)
Kim Bullard (keyboards)
Michito Sanchez (percussion)
Joe Vitale (drums)
And the story goes on and on...

*** After The Storm (Crosby, Stills & Nash: 1994) One of their strongest efforts in many years, but it's a little too slim and a lot too late, so nobody's going to care except the diehards. Still, everyone is up to par here, with minimal outside involvement and all-original material apart from a squishy, expendable cover of "In My Life" (Stills' solo version is better). There's virtually no 80's synth mania or 90's New Age aura, and it often recalls their mid-70's sound. But the songwriting isn't terribly innovative: Stills recycles his intricately arranged Latin thing ("Panama"), Nash his glacially paced country ballad thing (title track), Crosby his shuffling bluesy social protest thing ("Till It Shines"; "Street To Lean On," which is catchy). The up-tempo pop numbers are mostly dull ("These Empty Days"), and the loudest track ("Bad Boyz") is a weak, albeit heartfelt ripoff of "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)." Still, Stills' mid-tempo, left-wing rocker "It Won't Go Away" is respectable, the Crosby-Stills tune "Camera" is relaxing in a good way, and everything apart from "In My Life" is tasteful and competent. A good buy if you see it cut out, like I did. Produced by Glyn Johns. The band is mostly James "Hutch" Hutchinson (drums), Ethan Johns (drums, guitar), and Mike Finnigan (organ), but there's a Latin group on two numbers and a lot of medium-voltage guests: Lenny Castro, Craig Doerge, Michael Hedges, Rick Marotta, Benmont Tench, Stills' children Chris and Jennifer, etc. (JA)

Looking Forward (CSNY: 1999) The four-man lineup's second reunion record, following a decade-long break. Self-produced; there are a lot of expected names in the credits including Glaub, Finnigan, Keltner, and Vitale, some relative newcomers like Hutchinson and Raymond, and wildcards like Luis Conte and Duck Dunn. (JA) Questions to solve:

1.