A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: border_reiver on September 23, 2023, 03:54:45 AM

Title: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: border_reiver on September 23, 2023, 03:54:45 AM
Oh no. This is surely a rough year.

Apart from his amazing blues&country records I will never forget seeing Mike in a viking helmet during the Helsinki 2001 show.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/mike-henderson-steeldrivers-dead-obit-1234830058/?fbclid=IwAR3-MReJacZ2KpYKLy536RCifkToYrmGSJNviUMyDcAPwU2SLfLWXiyb3j0 (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/mike-henderson-steeldrivers-dead-obit-1234830058/?fbclid=IwAR3-MReJacZ2KpYKLy536RCifkToYrmGSJNviUMyDcAPwU2SLfLWXiyb3j0)
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Kris-b on September 23, 2023, 12:21:55 PM
It must be horrible for Mark to loose so many of his musicians.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dustyvalentino on September 23, 2023, 01:03:08 PM
Oh man. He was the one guitar player I have seen with MK that I thought might overshadow him.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Knopflerfan on September 23, 2023, 01:31:23 PM
Oh man. He was the one guitar player I have seen with MK that I thought might overshadow him.

Sad news indeed, yeah he was rather good and he was certainly up with the master!
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Jules on September 23, 2023, 02:59:06 PM
How sad... they're falling one by one   :'(
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dmg on September 23, 2023, 03:32:11 PM
Forum is reading like an obituary column these days unfortunately.  How can three ex band member all pass away in such a short space of time, and not so old too... :disbelief
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Brunno Nunes on September 23, 2023, 03:35:01 PM
Sad news, this has been a peculiar year! :'(

Mike Handerson was a great addition to the STP tour 2001, he brought a new dimension to Mark Knopfler's shows through his versatility, multi-instrumentalist and for me he was a significant part of what makes the STP tour 2001 my favorite tour of Mark's solo career MK. His contributions were brilliant on this tour, especially in Walk of Life, but I can't forget his participation in songs like Baloney Again, Wag the Dog, Who's Your Baby Now, Pryoman, playing harmonica, violin with a lot of feeling in What it Is, playing mandolin in Speedway at Nazareth and a guitar at the end of this song that brought a unique atmosphere using the low strings. He would also stand out in the interesting version of MFN, during the unforgettable STP tour 2001.

I would have loved if he had stayed on for other tours, he was a great addition to Mark Knopfler's Country side, after all, he was an alt cowboy.
May God have you in a good place!
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: ds1984 on September 23, 2023, 03:44:50 PM
He did many goog things on stage but what I keep in mind about Mike is the telecaster that was over everything else.
He was sounding way too loudon guitar and I don't think he was wearing IEM then.

Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: superval99 on September 23, 2023, 03:54:08 PM
It is very sad to hear that Mike Henderson has died so young.   I saw him at the RAH on the OES tour, but his guitar was much too loud and sometimes it was difficult to hear MK, which spoiled the concert for me.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Robson on September 23, 2023, 04:11:59 PM
Sad news, this has been a peculiar year! :'(

Mike Handerson was a great addition to the STP tour 2001, he brought a new dimension to Mark Knopfler's shows through his versatility, multi-instrumentalist and for me he was a significant part of what makes the STP tour 2001 my favorite tour of Mark's solo career MK. His contributions were brilliant on this tour, especially in Walk of Life, but I can't forget his participation in songs like Baloney Again, Wag the Dog, Who's Your Baby Now, Pryoman, playing harmonica, violin with a lot of feeling in What it Is, playing mandolin in Speedway at Nazareth and a guitar at the end of this song that brought a unique atmosphere using the low strings. He would also stand out in the interesting version of MFN, during the unforgettable STP tour 2001.

I would have loved if he had stayed on for other tours, he was a great addition to Mark Knopfler's Country side, after all, he was an alt cowboy.
May God have you in a good place!

And in Junkie Doll on mandolin.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: quizzaciously on September 23, 2023, 08:06:10 PM
Dang, it's time to open a dedicated section on this forum and on Mark's website just to do "sad farewells", so many RIPs these days.

Absolutely rocking musician, love Mike's work on one of the most creative MK tours:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqwxokhkk1U
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: KnopfleRick on September 23, 2023, 08:56:17 PM
Oh no, what a rough year for Mark to loose so many musical friends in such a short time. I feel very sorry for him.
Mike was a great musician. I loved his playing very much. May he Rest in Peace. 
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Banjo99uk on September 23, 2023, 10:27:19 PM
Easily my favourite Solo tour, and he was a great addition. MK was still youthfulish and energetic with his playing. I think his accident changed his subsequent tours for the worse.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: JF on September 23, 2023, 10:39:07 PM
among his interventions I like very much his solo on Baloney again, and the way he turned who's your baby now into more rock style

I would say he was the Jack Sonni of the MK solo career, musically speaking.

sadly they are both gone now
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Why Aye Man on September 23, 2023, 11:17:58 PM
Very sad news indeed as I loved his contributions on the STP tour.

Playing the opening intro after one, then two broken strings in quick succession on 'Who's Your Baby Now' in Newcastle was great to see and how it didn't affect him and he just carried on as normal.  The sign of a truly great guitar player.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Jules on September 24, 2023, 11:41:53 AM
I know that when someone dies the thing to do is talk nice about that person...

But I never liked what Mike Henderson brought to MK band in terms of guitar playing. For me he was always too noisy and too loud.

When it comes to fiddle, harp and mandolin, he was great.

He had a name in Nashville and blues and country scene, actually he worked very close with one of nowadays names in that scene, which is Chris Stapleton.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: border_reiver on September 24, 2023, 07:05:29 PM
I know that when someone dies the thing to do is talk nice about that person...

But I never liked what Mike Henderson brought to MK band in terms of guitar playing. For me he was always too noisy and too loud.

When it comes to fiddle, harp and mandolin, he was great.

He had a name in Nashville and blues and country scene, actually he worked very close with one of nowadays names in that scene, which is Chris Stapleton.

Funny. I'm the direct opposite. The loud and barky guitar gave proper character to MKs songs.  :)
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Robson on September 24, 2023, 07:48:40 PM
‘We’re bidding goodbye to an old friend: Mike Henderson, bluesman extraordinaire and one of the founding members of bluegrass group The SteelDrivers. Mike was an extraordinary talent: as at home with bluegrass and old time fiddle music as he was with the blues. He was a superb blues harp player too. I first saw him backing singer/songwriter Kevin Welch at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and subsequently with blues band the Kingsnakes. On both those gigs the tall man at his side playing either his old upright string bass or his Fender Precision, was one Glenn Worf, who would share the studio and the stage with me from around that time until today. Mike joined my band for our tour in 1981 and we saw a big chunk of the world together. I’m thinking of Mike’s family and friends at this time.’ – MK

1981?
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: ds1984 on September 24, 2023, 08:14:26 PM
Typo, every fan will correct.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: quizzaciously on September 24, 2023, 08:27:36 PM
Typo, every fan will correct.

...or parallel universe.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Peter1981 on September 24, 2023, 10:25:43 PM
Oh no, RIP.
I think he was a welcoming rough touch to the live band, which made it surely more rock'n'roll than the tours that followed. Preferences differ, but I found it rather electrifying.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: quizzaciously on September 24, 2023, 11:02:50 PM
Oh no, RIP.
I think he was a welcoming rough touch to the live band, which made it surely more rock'n'roll than the tours that followed. Preferences differ, but I found it rather electrifying.

Man, I wish Mark would experiment with musicians like Mike and Jack more. I hate when a superstar "finds" "his" musicians and tours with them for the rest of their lives with the same sound. Like Paul McCartney — all his tours are basically the same for the last, I don't know, 30 years?

It's ridiculous to think it's their solo career, and yet they form a band that won't change for decades. Of course, Mike sounds cool in Mark's band, in fact, any decent musician will! As long as they let him on stage! :lol
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dustyvalentino on September 24, 2023, 11:48:33 PM
I know that when someone dies the thing to do is talk nice about that person...

But I never liked what Mike Henderson brought to MK band in terms of guitar playing. For me he was always too noisy and too loud.

When it comes to fiddle, harp and mandolin, he was great.

He had a name in Nashville and blues and country scene, actually he worked very close with one of nowadays names in that scene, which is Chris Stapleton.

Funny. I'm the direct opposite. The loud and barky guitar gave proper character to MKs songs.  :)

Agreed. I thought it was cool and mixed things up. MK finally had another lead guitarist, not just a side man who got a token solo.

And he introduced MK to Silvertone guitars, and that led me to buy a Silvertone guitar, and it’s a very cool guitar!
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dmg on September 25, 2023, 02:36:06 PM
Was never a fan of his playing style, his tone or even his dress on stage with the western shirts and stetson.  All very attention seeking and fine if you're the main attraction, but he wasn't and should've toned it down in every sense.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: JF on September 25, 2023, 02:39:49 PM
Was never a fan of his playing style, his tone or even his dress on stage with the western shirts and stetson.  All very attention seeking and fine if you're the main attraction, but he wasn't and should've toned it down in every sense.

that's why I found it was a little bit the same as Jack Soni's attitude imho
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dmg on September 25, 2023, 02:48:09 PM
Was never a fan of his playing style, his tone or even his dress on stage with the western shirts and stetson.  All very attention seeking and fine if you're the main attraction, but he wasn't and should've toned it down in every sense.

that's why I found it was a little bit the same as Jack Soni's attitude imho

I can see the similarity but Jack didn't have many solos or "fancy dress" to be fair.  :)
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: superval99 on September 25, 2023, 02:57:41 PM
Was never a fan of his playing style, his tone or even his dress on stage with the western shirts and stetson.  All very attention seeking and fine if you're the main attraction, but he wasn't and should've toned it down in every sense.

I agree. It was the first time I came away from an MK concert feeling disappointed and let down and it was because Mike seemed to take over the concert.   
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Knut on September 25, 2023, 05:49:52 PM
It feels a bit of a waste to put all those great musicians on a stage, if their job is just to "make the Master look good". This sounds like the same complaints that someone has against Ian. Maybe MK should've gone full solo... ;)

I'm sure there are alot of up-and-coming players who would love to take the "submissive role" in MKs bands just for the learning experience. That might be a better choice if you want someone who just does some basic background stuff and says "yes, sir"? The fact that a guy like Mike H wanted to be heard and seen, is not strange at all - he had a skill level that justified it.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dustyvalentino on September 25, 2023, 07:15:34 PM
It feels a bit of a waste to put all those great musicians on a stage, if their job is just to "make the Master look good". This sounds like the same complaints that someone has against Ian. Maybe MK should've gone full solo... ;)

I'm sure there are alot of up-and-coming players who would love to take the "submissive role" in MKs bands just for the learning experience. That might be a better choice if you want someone who just does some basic background stuff and says "yes, sir"? The fact that a guy like Mike H wanted to be heard and seen, is not strange at all - he had a skill level that justified it.

MK hired him because he saw him and wanted him in the band as a showman. He didn't need another boring guitar player in the band, he already had one!
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: ds1984 on September 25, 2023, 07:23:59 PM
Mike was way more than a guitar player.


Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Brunno Nunes on September 25, 2023, 08:51:54 PM
It feels a bit of a waste to put all those great musicians on a stage, if their job is just to "make the Master look good". This sounds like the same complaints that someone has against Ian. Maybe MK should've gone full solo... ;)

I'm sure there are alot of up-and-coming players who would love to take the "submissive role" in MKs bands just for the learning experience. That might be a better choice if you want someone who just does some basic background stuff and says "yes, sir"? The fact that a guy like Mike H wanted to be heard and seen, is not strange at all - he had a skill level that justified it.

MK hired him because he saw him and wanted him in the band as a showman. He didn't need another boring guitar player in the band, he already had one!


You summed it up very well, Dusty. Mike did what was certainly agreed with Mark, certainly all of Mike's interventions had Mark Knopfler's consent, that is, they were part of the show and for me it always felt very welcome, much more than any another musician during this period, is one of the reasons it is my favorite tour of MK's solo career.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Robson on September 25, 2023, 08:56:08 PM
That's true. Sailing To Philadelpia tour was amazing. Guests included: James Taylor, William Topley, Sonny Landreth, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Paul Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dmg on September 25, 2023, 10:51:46 PM
That's true. Sailing To Philadelpia tour was amazing. Guests included: James Taylor, William Topley, Sonny Landreth, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Paul Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

Topley looks out of place among these names with the greatest of respect to the guy!  :smack
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Knut on September 26, 2023, 02:40:20 AM
I listened to a few tracks from 2001, and I hear way more MK than Mike H anyway - so again, I think it's exaggerated how much he "took over the show". I don't know what to say if someone actually thinks he's the one getting the attention during the shows.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Brunno Nunes on September 26, 2023, 05:02:29 AM
Mike was hired to do what he did, he was a tremendous complement to Mark Knopfler's band and musical proposal on the STP tour 2001, he only ended up in the band because Mark was enchanted when he saw him play live in Nashville in the 90s. His interventions They may not please everyone, taste is subjective, but I have no doubt that he did it with style and that many of his interventions were prepared in rehearsals with Mark's approval. It was a unique and brilliant moment in Mark Knopfler's band, which had 3 brilliant guitarists, Mark, Mike and Richard. What times... :clap
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: superval99 on September 26, 2023, 09:08:13 AM
I listened to a few tracks from 2001, and I hear way more MK than Mike H anyway - so again, I think it's exaggerated how much he "took over the show". I don't know what to say if someone actually thinks he's the one getting the attention during the shows.

It was the extra loud guitar that really spoiled it for me.    As for "taking over the show", it just felt that way at the time, but I agree his contributions on mandolin, harmonica and violin were excellent. 



Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Vesper on September 26, 2023, 03:50:30 PM
I think Mike was a very refreshing and welcome addition to the StP tour!
I don't think he spoiled anything, Mark hired him obviously for his style, personality and because he's a multi-instrumentalist.
He added a lot to the songs, extra layers that are only on this tour (listen for example to the live versions of STP).

The RPD tour obviously didn't happen, but I think the idea was the same with Fats Kaplin.
Very interesting choices from MK.

His solo work is also worth mentioning. I especially love his collaborations with Chris Stapleton.
In 2021 they won CMA song of the year with Starting Over, which I think is a lovely song.
See them together here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqzJs5q6-dA&ab_channel=ABC

It also shows Mike was ageing too.
RIP Mike
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dustyvalentino on September 26, 2023, 08:21:59 PM
I listened to a few tracks from 2001, and I hear way more MK than Mike H anyway - so again, I think it's exaggerated how much he "took over the show". I don't know what to say if someone actually thinks he's the one getting the attention during the shows.

Yeah, I have to agree with Val based on my experience of being there in person at the RAH. Mike was WAY louder than MK on Calling Elvis. His clangy, twangy sound was also very cool and interesting hence me thinking that this may be the first sideman to overshadow MK. Didn’t pan out that way but he der left his mark. (No pun intended)
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: superval99 on September 27, 2023, 10:25:29 AM
 Mike Henderson would have been great at Transatlantic Sessions.  I have seen many wonderful performances from some very exciting and accomplished musicians there over the years.  It would have been the perfect venue for Mike and I'm sure he would have been well received by the audiences, but sadly, too late now.
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: JF on September 27, 2023, 04:34:09 PM

I can see the similarity but Jack didn't have many solos or "fancy dress" to be fair.  :)

are you sure ?
Jack with a bandana, Jack with extra large glasses, Jack with a redingote, Jack topless, jack barefoot... that's what I would call fancy dress  :lol ;D

Jack playing guitar behind his head, Jack playing guitar on the floor, jack runnin all around the stage, etc... that's what I would call trying to take the limelight no?
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: dustyvalentino on September 27, 2023, 05:29:26 PM

I can see the similarity but Jack didn't have many solos or "fancy dress" to be fair.  :)

are you sure ?
Jack with a bandana, Jack with extra large glasses, Jack with a redingote, Jack topless, jack barefoot... that's what I would call fancy dress  :lol ;D

Jack playing guitar behind his head, Jack playing guitar on the floor, jack runnin all around the stage, etc... that's what I would call trying to take the limelight no?

Doing the Townshend windmills as well!

What about Glenn smashing up the bass on Pyroman, was that just attention seeking as well? :)
Title: Re: RIP Mike Henderson
Post by: Jules on September 27, 2023, 06:38:30 PM

I can see the similarity but Jack didn't have many solos or "fancy dress" to be fair.  :)

are you sure ?
Jack with a bandana, Jack with extra large glasses, Jack with a redingote, Jack topless, jack barefoot... that's what I would call fancy dress  :lol ;D

Jack playing guitar behind his head, Jack playing guitar on the floor, jack runnin all around the stage, etc... that's what I would call trying to take the limelight no?

He was having a ball, the ball of his life, not seeking for attention!