History

RAK Studios was founded in 1976 by the legendary record producer Mickie Most, who was known for his hits with the Animals, Jeff Beck, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and Kim Wilde, among others. He was also a recording artist, record label boss and TV producer. Mickie was born Michael Hayes on 20th June 1938 in Aldershot, England. At 17, he formed his first band, Mickie Hayes and the Most. Later, he paired up with Alex Murray (aka Alex Wharton) to form rock'n'roll duo the Most Brothers. They performed at Soho's 2i's Coffee Bar, signed to Decca, and toured with Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard and Eddie Calvert. In 1959 Mickie married Christina Fusco and moved to Johannesburg, where he formed Mickie Most and the Playboys and scored 11 consecutive number ones on the South African charts. In 1961, Mickie convinced US rock'n'roll star Gene Vincent to tour South Africa with the Playboys - which led to Mickie being labelled 'South Africa's hottest impresario' by the media. Mickie Most RAK History Subsequently Mickie made the switch from artist to producer. He returned to the UK in 1962, just in time for the R&B revolution. He discovered the Animals in a Newcastle club and produced their singles 'Baby, Let Me Take You Home' and 'House of the Rising Sun'. The latter became a worldwide smash and went to number one in both the UK and US. Throughout the sixties, Mickie cemented his reputation as a producer, working on hit records such as Herman's Hermits' 'I'm Into Something Good', Nashville Teens' 'Tobacco Road', Donovan's acclaimed 1966 album 'Sunshine Superman' and several Jeff Beck records. RAK RECORDS In 1969, he founded RAK Records, RAK Publishing and RAK Music Management (the latter in partnership with Peter Grant, who went on to manage Led Zeppelin). RAK Records released a string of hits in the 70s and 80s, including Suzi Quatro's 'Can the Can', Smokie's 'Living Next Door to Alice', Hot Chocolate's 'You Sexy Thing', and Kim Wilde's 'Kids in America'. In 1986 he sold RAK Records to EMI. In the 70s, Mickie appeared as a judge on TV talent show New Faces - a precursor to The X Factor - and produced the alternative music programme Revolver, which showcased Kate Bush, the Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and XTC. RAK Platinum Records Here is a list of songs you may remember covering the period 1970 to 1985 that were released on RAK records