Mickey Raphael
Mickey Raphael (born November 7, 1951 ) is an American harmonica player best known for his long association with country singer Willie Nelson .
Raphael has worked with many other artists throughout his life including U2 , Neil Young , Elton John , Emmylou Harris and the Supersuckers ( Must've Been High ).
He has also released solo projects such as the 1988 album Hand to Mouth .
His career as a professional musician began one evening in 1973 at a party held by football coach Darryl Royal in his hotel room. Willie Nelson and a few other singer-songwriters were there to play a few songs for the coach and some of his friends. Royal had seen Raphael perform in Austin and invited him to the jam session. Nelson took a liking to his harmonica playing, whereupon Raphael was accepted into the band. The harpist would later say, however, that he had never been officially hired, although he was never asked to leave.
Over time, he became an integral part of Nelson's band and toured regularly with the musician since 1974. He was instrumental in creating the famous Willie Nelson style when it reoriented itself in the mid-1970s.
Raphael also starred in the films Honeysuckle Rose and Songwriter , in which Nelson played the lead role. He is also in an episode of the TV series Monk .
Web links
- Official website
- Mickey Raphael in the Internet Movie Database (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Raphael, Mickey |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American harmonica player |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 7, 1951 |