RIP Mike Henderson

[Brunno Nunes]

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.

[Robson]

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.

[dmg]

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! 

[Knut]

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.

[Brunno Nunes]

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...

[superval99]

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. 

[Vesper]

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:


It also shows Mike was ageing too.
RIP Mike

[dustyvalentino]

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)

[superval99]

 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.

[JF]

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 

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?

[dustyvalentino]

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 

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?

[Jules]

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 

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!