In-Depth: Mike Reilly’s Southern Rock Heritage

<~~1980~~>

Mike, Jaimoe Johnson and Lamar Williams, The Sharp Shooter Band (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level). This would be the first band to take me ON THE ROAD!! No matter what happened to this group, be it timing or fate, this was a very, very BAD BAND. I can’t describe the feeling I had when I got the gig. To be in a band with the players I had spent hours and days trying to be like…. what a trip. Lamar, Jaimoe and Wayne Sharp came to my house to give me the news. What a party-whew!! What an honor. We recorded a live show at RCA Annex, which was filmed, but unfortunately, the tape was stolen. We did manage to get out on the road, but while in the south, Lamar took ill. The band came to a halt. The leader of this group, Wayne Sharp, would be responsible for something that changed my life. He introduced me to my wife of twenty years, Jani.

<~~ 1984

2000

2001

And on to the next person who taught me more about the blues guitar. Someone who has been a good friend for many years, Elvin Bishop. This would be my version of boot camp for the blues, have mercy. I met most of my mentors through Elvin,. B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Billy Gibbons, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Band. My first official night in the band we played the Lone Star in New York City. As I took the stage, shaking with fear, I noticed the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd in front of me. They stayed, watched, yelped and yelled. I did my best to put on a good show. We talked after the show. I soon learned that there was a kinship between all these bands. They were there to support us. It was the dark ages of Southern Rock, the Eighties!! I was ever grateful I never had to wear spandex pants and big hair or make up. If you played our genre of music you were family. While on a tour of the Keystone Clubs, three clubs in the bay area that were famous for late night jams, we had a triple bill, Gregg Allman Band, Elvin Bishop Band and a new kid from Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughn. This would be a magical time, for some reason Mr. Allman and I hit it off right away.

1982	1983	1985	1998
2000	1985		1987
1986	1983	1992

My days were numbered at Elvin’s camp and it was on Gregg’s suggestion that I might try my own band.

It was the mid 80′s when Jani and I moved to a small community in the Southern California mountains called, Silverado.

It would be here that we would get investors to do my first CD. Most of my band lived in town and we would rehearse on an old ranch called, Wild Cat Ranch. Gregg stayed with us a few times a year. Due to his friendship, I was given an opportunity to be a guest on several Gregg Allman Band dates. He would in turn come and do shows with me as my special guest.

It was a great time in my life, I just wish I could have remembered a little more!
Gregg hired us to back him up in 1990-1992. Not a lot of shows, but some of the best gigs I’ve ever done. I give nothing but thanks to Gregg. He’s a true gentleman and possesses a God-given talent.

I visited with him, for a minute this year (2001), in Asheville, North Carolina. The band sounded great and Gregg looked great. I think he’s found true happiness. I’m not exactly sure why our paths crossed, I’m just grateful they did.

1989 (with Wayne Bennett)

The Luck of the Irish continued. Once again, from a late night jam at the Keystone SF, I hooked up with The Band and Garth Hudson.

A friendship that’s continued for years, Garth and I hit it off the best. He would join my band for the summer, and in return, hired me to do shows with Rick Danko, Dr. John, Gary Busey, and Clifford Scott.

Some of the shows were magic, some weren’t!

I can’t begin to thank Garth for all the times he’s put out for me. On a sadder note, I will miss Rick greatly. His smile and haunting voice are still with me. They were a band like no other!

1992

Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko,
Mike, and Clifford Scott

Another offshoot branched from this band: The Reilly-Bennett Review. Garth on sax and keys, Gerald Johnson (Steve Miller, Dave Mason, Crosby Stills and Nash) on bass, Sean Finnigan, keyboards and Jan Ashley, with Jon Hurley, on drums and percussion.

I met Wayne while in Memphis at a demo session that Joe Walsh was doing for me. Wayne was the fellow who taught Duane Allman “Stormy Monday”, and it was him with Bobby Blue Bland.

He was also on the balcony with Dr. Martin Luther King when he was murdered. Some of the greats have considered him to be the MAN! Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) is a big fan of Wayne’s, not to mention Eric Clapton.

When he left us, he was only 52. I cant express how sorry I felt for his family and for the world.
Once again, Wayne, Many Thanks!!

1996 Toler Bros.

During the mid nineties, I reunited with the Toler Brothers. We toured the east coast, the northwest and dates in Korea. It was great seeing them and I wish them the best.

1983 (Mike and Doug Gray)
1999 (Members of Marshall Tucker and Molly Hatchett)

While sitting in San Juan Capistrano with my roadie having a sandwich, a new tour bus pulled up and Doug Gray got out, to my surprise. He said he was wondering what I had been doing and asked if I’d be interested in playing with them at the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam.

This group of pictures above are of me and Doug Gray (Marshall Tucker Band) backstage in 1983. A jam took place with Elvin and Toy Caldwell. It was very cool.

1945

1958

1962

1971

Well, last but not least, here’s my family. My Mother and Father both passed before I was 22, but their love for music still lives through me. My father was a great guitarist! The picture here is of him playing with Django Rhinehardt. My brother Bob was my inspiration to do what I do. It was a real loss to all when he left us. Brother Tim is still playing with his Irish Band. He is also a teacher and I’m very proud of him.

Wayne Bennett, BB King and Mike Reilly

Joe Walsh, Mike and Alan Blazek

I’m ever grateful to everyone mentioned on this page — Thank you.

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