Mickie Most (64) dies

The fiercesomely tough panellist on the TV talent show New Faces in the 1970s who owned RAK Records until the late 1980's, worked with a variety of celebrated musicians like Jeff Beck, Lulu, The Animals, Hot Chocolate and Kim Wilde.
Reported to be worth £50m and credited with producing more No 1 hitsworld-wide than any other record producer, Most - real name Michael Peter Hayes - had been battling the rare cancer mesothelioma for a year. He died at his home in North London on Friday with his wife Christina by his side.
Most's funeral is being held in the West Chapel in Hoop Lane, Golders Green on June 9.

Most was credited in the past for "discovering" Kim. When Ricky was recording new tracks for a single, Kim was originally attracted to sing backing vocals on his song Falling out. The story goes that Mickie Most walked in when Kim was singing her backing vocals and thought she had a good voice and good image. One month later, Kim's debut single Kids in America was recorded.

His friend Deke Arlon, president of Sanctuary Entertainment, said: 'He was a remarkable talent who leaves a huge hole in the music industry.'
Nicky Chinn, of the Seventies song-writing and producing team Chinn and Chapman, described Most as a "giant of the industry". He said: "He was a great man and my best friend. He had an incredible skill in picking songs - he could pick a song on the moon."

The BBC is commemorating Mickie Most and his music in a special edition of Top of the Pops 2 on June 17th, to be broadcast on BBC2 (UK). Of course it will also feature an old performance in TOTP by Kim Wilde.

Sources: BBC, The Observer, May 31, 2003