Mitch Perry (musician)

Mitch Perry
Perry with Asia featuring John Payne in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Mitch Perry Brownstein
Born	July 3, 1961 New York City, New York, U.S.
Origin	Florida, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock glam metal heavy metal jazz fusion pop rock progressive rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer producer racecar driver
Instrument(s)	Guitar keyboards vocals
Years active	1979–present
Member of	Mitch Perry Band
Formerly of	McAuley Schenker Group Asia featuring John Payne Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Steeler Cher Talas
Website	mitchperrygroup.com

Mitch Perry Brownstein (born July 3, 1961) is an American guitarist, keyboardist and record producer, best known for playing with artists including Alphonso Johnson, Michael Schenker, Edgar Winter, Lita Ford, The Sweet, Asia, Cher, Talas and Steeler.

Early life

Perry was born in New York City, between 1971 and 1974, Perry lived in Fulham, London and went to Westminster City School, after that the family moved to Florida. Perry started playing guitar when he lived in England, he was initially taught by his mom who showed him a few chords, he first got motived to play the instrument from a boy at his school. He played guitar along to Top of the Pops, including to "Rubber Bullets" by 10cc.

Career

Perry was a member of a band called The Kids with Bruce Witkin (later of the Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp) when he was 14. When Perry got his first gig in California, Depp replaced him in the band. Perry moved to California to play with Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana) after being recommended by Pat Thrall who liked his style of playing, in that band he played with Vinny Appice, who would join Black Sabbath. The trio apparently recorded an album that was two weeks away from release before the A&R department at Electra was fired and the album was shelved. Perry briefly played in DuBrow, a spin off of Quiet Riot after Randy Rhodes left to join Ozzy Osbourne, with Kevin DuBrow, Rudy Sarzo and Drew Forsyth. He replaced Greg Leon for a few shows, before joining Glenn Hughes after being recommended by Ronnie James Dio. Perry was responsible for connecting Hughes with Pat Thrall to create the Hughes/Thrall project.

Following his stint with Hughes he played with Steeler with Ron Keel, replacing Yngwie Malmsteen. He was noticed by Billy Sheehan and joined his band Talas, appearing on live album Live Speed on Ice (1984). He joined Australian band Heaven in 1984, he played on their album Knockin' on Heaven's Door, on which he also played keyboards.

During this time Perry appeared as a guest in several works by artists such as Faster Pussycat, Keel, Frankie Miller and Graham Nash. In 1987 he joined McAuley Schenker Group, with German guitar virtuoso Michael Schenker and former Grand Prix vocalist Robin McAuley, replacing Steve Mann on guitar and keyboards. He played rhythm and lead guitar as well as backing vocals on the bands debut album, Perfect Timing. With McAuley Schenker he toured alongside Def Leppard and Whitesnake. He left the band in 1988 and was replaced by the returning Mann.

Perry was guitarist for Cher, he got the Cher gig after she decided that the person she had auditioned, she didn't like. A friend of his who was in her band recommended him, he toured for the 'Heart Of Stone' tour. Before going on tour with Cher he joined David Lee Roth's band as a replacement for Steve Vai for two weeks. After touring with Cher he formed a supergroup with Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot) and Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, House of Lords) the project also included Rich Carlton and Matt Abts on drums and Michael Guy and Steve Fister on guitar who all contributed to the bands self titled album, which was later re-issued as No, No, Nikkie with drummer James Kottak also contributing. Badd Boyz morphed into 7% Solution with Shortino being replaced by Ralph Saenz (Steel Panther, L.A. Guns).

In 1994 Mitch joined Edgar Winter, after collaborating with the well-known drummer Carmine Appice in a project with which he participated in a tour called 'Super Rock Session' in Japan. He played with Winter for over eight years, playing with former Winter guitarist Rick Derringer and Ronnie Montrose. Perry left Winter in 2001 to become a full time racing car driver. Winter played saxophone on Perry's first solo album Wire To Wire (1996).

In 2009, Perry joined Asia featuring John Payne, an offshoot of progressive rock band Asia by bassist and singer John Payne. He replaced Guthrie Govan, and continued to tour with the band until August 2011 when he was replaced by former Racer X, guitarist Bruce Bouillet. During the 2010s he was a member if former Runaways guitarist, Lita Ford's band, appearing on her live album The Bitch Is Back ... Live, In 2014 he left Lita Ford and joined The Sweet with founding member Steve Priest, a band which he continued to tour with until Priest's death in June 2020. In 2016 he joined Bobby Blotzer's Ratt as lead guitarist, the band at the time featured Blotzer on drums, Perry on lead guitar, Stacey Blades (L.A. Guns) on rhythm guitar, Brad Lang (Y&T) on bass and Joshua Alan on vocals. Perry toured with Blotzer's Ratt until they dispanded in 2017.

Perry also tours with his solo band the Mitch Perry Group, which includes Keith England, Shelly Bonet and Kara Turner, who front the band, drummer Tal Bergman, bassist Dan McNay and keyboardist Ed Roth.

Discography

Solo

• Wire to Wire (1996)
• Better Late Than Never (1998)
• Music Box (2020)