The Breakers arrived on the R&B scene in the early 80’s starting in the Seattle area. This gave the Blues fans a major shot in the arm. The Breakers, originally a Chicago style shuffle band, enjoyed some local success with a modest following. However, the final formation of the Breakers, comprised of veterans from the Royals, the Albert Collins Band, Cameo, and others, very quickly earned the title of top R&B band in the Northwest showing their penchant for Soul and R&B, illustrated by Mick’s rendition of the Beatles “She’s A Woman”, combining stellar guitar and mellifluous vocals. The combination of elements in Mick’s style added a distinctive smoothness to the Breakers and earned him serious recognition as a “white soul” artist among Blues, R&B, and Soul fans alike. The Breakers performed at all the top venues sharing the stage with R&B and Blues greats like Valerie Wellington, Albert Collins, and Robert Cray, as well as a host of Northwest favorites including: Issac Scott, Jr. Cadillac, Paul Delay, Dick Powell, and many others. Mick Radford appeared several times as a guest at the Jolly Roger Road House and the Owl Café for Blue Monday Jams, some of which were videotaped. If we are able to locate some of this footage we will post a notice and let you know how you can receive either a VHS or DVD, depending on what form is available. During the first six months the Breakers were together they were invited to join Seattle’s “Bumbershoot” Bill with Eric Burden, Three Dog Night, Ray Charles, and others. The only authorized recording of the Breakers was recorded at a small independent studio in the Seattle area by the name of Brant Productions. The album was entitled “Breakin’ Out” (OOP). We are still looking for a copy and if we find it we will try and make it available as well. Historically the Breakers first lineup included: Willie McLeod (keyboards, vocals), Doug Fulcher (bass, vocals), Brian Hutchins (drums), Johnny Hodgkins (sax, vocals), and Mick Radford. This version of the Breakers lasted approximately three months after which, Hodgkins, was replaced by Doug Wagner (sax, vocals). During his stint with the Breakers, Mick’s primary guitar was a 1960 tobacco sunburst Strat (though he is pictured here with a 1967 Gibson Trini Lopez) with an early silver-faced, completely stock, Fender Twin. The only effects for this gig were a vintage Crybaby, an Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Power Booster, and an MXR micro-chorus-ensemble.