Lee Michaels
b. 24 November 1945, Los Angeles, California, USA. This multi-instrumentalist, aka Mike Olsen, began his career with the Sentinels, a San Luis Obispo-based surf group which included Merrell Fankhauser and drummer John Barbata (later to join Jefferson Airplane/ Starship). Michaels later joined Barbata in the Strangers, a group led by Joel Scott Hill, before moving to San Francisco in 1965. He enjoyed a spell in the Family Tree, a Beatles-influenced attraction, before embarking on a solo career in 1968. A popular fixture of the city's ballrooms, his dexterity was confirmed with RECITAL, on which he played all the instruments, as well as serving as producer and arranger. LEE MICHAELS, culled from a lengthy studio jam with drummer Frosty, reaped due commercial rewards, but the artist was unable to maintain a consistency. 5TH contained the US Top 10 hit, Do You Know What I Mean, but subsequent releases lacked a coherent purpose. Despite undoubted studio techniques and his gifted guitar and keyboard skills, Michaels later withdrew from active performing.