MIKE KENNEDY'S COLLECTION

Mike Kennedy passed away on Saturday, 18th November 2006 after a long and brave fight against cancer. He will be sorely missed by many people on both sides of the Atlantic.

MIKE'S GUITARS:

c1967 HOFNER MODEL 470/E2

Totally original example of Hofner's top-of the range archtop.

1962 HOFNER MODEL 500/1 BASS

A slightly unusual but original finish for a 500/1, with a large centre area of natural stain. Mike's old Vox amps (Foundation Bass and AC4) make an impressive backdrop.

1958 HOFNER MODEL 500/1 BASS GUITAR

Hofner 500/1 and Vox AC 100 Amp - The perfect combination.

1957 HOFNER MODEL 500/1 BASS GUITAR

Note: Controls and consul are not original, and the scratchplate is missing. Nethertheless, this is an old Hofner bass which just oozes character.

c1970 HOFNER MODEL 459 GUITAR, AND 1967 MOSRITE COMBO 6 GUITAR

c1964 GAGLIANO/HOFNER MODEL 172(ii) SOLID GUITAR

A guitar made by Hofner specifically for the Gagliano company, who simply put their name on the headstock of an otherwise standard 172(ii) Solid.

MIKE KENNEDY

Mike lived in Pennsylvania USA at the end of his life, and was guitarist with the late Nicky Hopkins, Horsepower (who were produced by Chas Chandler), and Silverspoon (produced by Mal Evans). He also worked as a session guitarist with John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Tony Williams, Simon Kirke, Eric Burdon, and many others.

Although Mike had pursued his career in the UK for several years during the 1960/70s, it was only through this website in around the year 2000 that I first came into contact with him. He was a very serious collector of Hofner guitars and Vox amplifiers, and was a great supporter of the Vintage Hofner website. His music, such as Bye Bye New York, was some of the most moving that I have ever heard. I never had the privilege of meeting him face to face, but through the many emails that crossed the Atlantic between us in those few years, I got to know him very well indeed, and gained a healthy respect for him as a man and as a musician. - Steve Russell

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Mike on stage, doing what he loved.

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Mike with Chas Chandler and Andy, the Sound Engineer, at Chas's Portland Studios, London 1980.

Mike played lead guitar in the band Rock Island during the late '60's. For details and a preview of the re-issue ROCK ISLAND CD, go to http://rock-island.dmusic.com/bio

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