Mike Lawler

This morning I recieved an message on facebook by Jenny Richards(my facebook friend) who is the daughter of Australian singer Digby Richards which she told me the sad news that musician Mike Lawler who played bass guitar with her father in the R'Jays in 1961 which they would go on their own becoming the Rajahs passed away late last night which I was very sad to hear that and I replied to Jenny that I was sorry to hear about Mike passing away which I had the pleasure of meeting him which he was an very nice man which I thanked Jenny for letting me know. Mike Lawler played with the R'Jays in 1961 replacing original bass player Pete Baker when they were touring Queensland and then went on their own after leaving Dig Richards which they continued to perform as the R'Jays in the clubs for a few years before becoming the Rajahs in 1964 which they did an number of recordings on the Festival label which included an version of Kiss Me Now and Cathy's clown and 2 EP's The Self titled one and Beatlemania which I have that one as well as backing Johnny O'Keefe on the 1964 version of Shout as well as being called The Australian Beatles as at that time Beatlemania was making inroads in Australia. They performed in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966 with Lucky Starr to perform for the American troops which they were hired by the US Navy and were able to performed for the Australian troops and the group disbanded in 1967. Mike did an stint with Aesops Fables from 1968-69 and he continued to performed with Leon Isackson in the Soulmates as well as backing up singer Winifred Atwell who was living in Australia as well as the Delltones when they got back together in 1978 which they played on the album Over The Years and moved to Queensland which he would work on the Islands. He played with the Delltones in the 1990's playing piano and played in the Mighty Guys on the Gold Coast during Wintersun and Cooly Rocks On in the late 2000's until 2015. I first saw Mike live at Seagulls playing with the Delltones on Wednesday June 4th 2008 during Wintersun and then I met an month later at Kedron Wavell Saturday July 26th 2008 which I got an autograph as well as chat with him for an few minutes. The next time I saw Mike was at the Coolangatta Sands Hotel Sunday June 8th 2009 during Wintersun which I dropped in to say hello as he was playing with the Mighty Guys there which I also met Mick Hamilton who was the founding member of the Mighty Guys as well as being an member of the legendary Australian group the Vibrants and Phil Eizenberg who with Mick was the founding member of the Mighty Guys as well as being an member of 2 legendary Australian groups The Ferretts who had the hit single Don't Fall In Love and Jimmy and the BOys which I got autographs and photos. From 2010 until 2015 I would see Mike performing live with the Mighty Guys in Coolangatta which 2010 was the last Wintersun on the Gold Coast and the Mighty Guys backed up Leisa Kerris and Issi Dye on Saturday June 13th as well as playing at the Coolangatta Sands Hotel the next day, 2011 at the very First Cooly Rocks On backed up Joe Daniels as well as Little Pattie, Tony Worsley and Roland Storm as well as performing on their own, 2012 backing up Tony Worsley and Wilbur Wilde and Frankie J Holden as well as doing their own set, 2013 backing Lucky Starr, Roland Storm and Bryan Davies in the MArquee as well as doing their own set and Issi Dye on the Queen Elizabeth Park Stage, 2014 backing up Johnny Devlin at Twin Towns which was the only time I saw them live that year and 2015 backing up Roalnd Storm and Bryan Davies at the South Tweed Sports Club on the Saturday night and Sunday was at the Queen ELizabeth Park Stage doing their own set which was FANTASTIC as well as the shows I saw them the years were FANTASTIC with great playing by Mike, Mick, Phil, Terry and Leon(in 2015). 2015 was the time I would see Mike in person and later was Facebook friends with him in the last years. I am very glad to have met Mike as well as seeing him live as well getting photos with him which I will always treasure and he was an very nice man easy to get along. His passing is an very sad time for his family and the Australian music industry which may his part in the history of Australia including the recordings with the Rajahs live on forever. Thank You Mike for the music and the legacy.