Shakin' Stevens has joined tributes to one of his former lead guitarists, a stalwart of the Welsh music scene, who has died in hospital.
Shakin' Stevens has joined tributes to one of his former lead guitarists, a stalwart of the Welsh music scene, who has died in hospital.
Cardiff-born Mickey Gee played solos on hits with Stevens and others including Dave Edmunds.
Cardiff-born Mickey Gee played solos on hits with Stevens and others including Dave Edmunds.
Stevens said: "Mickey Gee will be remembered for his guitar playing by the public and true fellow musicians."
Stevens said: "Mickey Gee will be remembered for his guitar playing by the public and true fellow musicians."
In the 1960s, he played with Tom Jones when the singer was known as Tommy Scott.
In the 1960s, he played with Tom Jones when the singer was known as Tommy Scott.
Kingsley Ward, of Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth, said: "Mickey Gee never got the recognition he deserved."
Kingsley Ward, of Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth, said: "Mickey Gee never got the recognition he deserved."
Gee, who was in his 60s, passed away at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff this week after a short illness.
Gee, who was in his 60s, passed away at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff this week after a short illness.
Producer and recording studio boss John David, a friend for some 40 years, said: "I worked with him on tons of stuff. I produced Shaky's Christmas album in '91 and he was on that.
Producer and recording studio boss John David, a friend for some 40 years, said: "I worked with him on tons of stuff. I produced Shaky's Christmas album in '91 and he was on that.
He wasn't one for self-publicity, he let his guitar do the talking and he was the most amazing guitar player Allan Jones, Amen Corner
He wasn't one for self-publicity, he let his guitar do the talking and he was the most amazing guitar player Allan Jones, Amen Corner
"He was in the very first Dave Edmunds band, Rockpile and was the lead guitar on [Edmund's 1970 No. 1] I Hear You Knockin'.
"He was in the very first Dave Edmunds band, Rockpile and was the lead guitar on [Edmund's 1970 No. 1] I Hear You Knockin'.
"Then we toured America for about 10 years in the 80s and Mickey was in that."
"Then we toured America for about 10 years in the 80s and Mickey was in that."
"He was mainly known throughout the UK music industry as "that guitarist" - whenever there was some blinding lick on something, it was only Mickey Gee.
"He was mainly known throughout the UK music industry as "that guitarist" - whenever there was some blinding lick on something, it was only Mickey Gee.
Mr David said Gee drew his inspiration from the influential American guitarists Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
Mr David said Gee drew his inspiration from the influential American guitarists Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
He said: "They popularised a very complicated finger-picking guitar style which Mickey and Dave Edmunds became past masters at. He could also emulate James Burton, Elvis's guitar player.
He said: "They popularised a very complicated finger-picking guitar style which Mickey and Dave Edmunds became past masters at. He could also emulate James Burton, Elvis's guitar player.
Mickey Gee toured and recorded with Shakin' Stevens and Dave Edmunds
"He was my favourite guitarist. He was really exciting. He was very inventive in the studio.
"He was my favourite guitarist. He was really exciting. He was very inventive in the studio.
"I once asked him to play a rock 'n' roll song on a banjo and he was fantastic. It sounded amazing."
"I once asked him to play a rock 'n' roll song on a banjo and he was fantastic. It sounded amazing."
Rockfield recording studio boss Kinglsey Ward said: "He was purely a great guitar player, very individual. When I met famous people, they often asked me about Mickey Gee.
Rockfield recording studio boss Kinglsey Ward said: "He was purely a great guitar player, very individual. When I met famous people, they often asked me about Mickey Gee.
"He never received the acknowledgment of his true ability. He was the unsung hero of Welsh guitar playing."
"He never received the acknowledgment of his true ability. He was the unsung hero of Welsh guitar playing."
Stevens added: "He played on all my early records and toured with me. The guitar solos, for me, were very important, they weren't just filling. His solos were and are very memorable."
Stevens added: "He played on all my early records and toured with me. The guitar solos, for me, were very important, they weren't just filling. His solos were and are very memorable."
As well as playing with names, including Joe Cocker and Bill Wyman, Gee was also a regular playing live at pubs in Cardiff.
As well as playing with names, including Joe Cocker and Bill Wyman, Gee was also a regular playing live at pubs in Cardiff.
Fellow guitarist Andy Fairweather Low said: "Outside of my family, he's as much a part of it. I left school and I started playing in my very early days and I went round to Mickey's house.
Fellow guitarist Andy Fairweather Lowe said: "Outside of my family, he's as much a part of it. I left school and I started playing in my very early days and I went round to Mickey's house.
"Mickey was there before all of us. He was just a great player, it's just sad.
"Mickey was there before all of us. He was just a great player, it's just sad.
"If you know about players, you will know about Mickey Gee. Any player I know and respect knows about Mickey - that's a fact."
"If you know about players, you will know about Mickey Gee. Any player I know and respect knows about Mickey - that's a fact."
Sax player Allan Jones, who was in Amen Corner with Fairweather Low, said: "Mickey was probably my favourite guitar player ever.
Sax player Allan Jones, who was in Amen Corner with Fairweather Lowe, said: "Mickey was probably my favourite guitar player ever.
"He had his own individual style. He wasn't one for self-publicity, he let his guitar do the talking and he was the most amazing guitar player."
"He had his own individual style. He wasn't one for self-publicity, he let his guitar do the talking and he was the most amazing guitar player."
Have you any memories - or photos - of Mickey Gee performing?
Have you any memories - or photos - of Mickey Gee performing?
Mickey was a tremendous guitarist - the Welsh Albert Lee! Let's see a BBC Wales documentary about him. He certainly deserves it. My very best wishes to his family.
Mickey was a tremendous guitarist - the Welsh Albert Lee! Let's see a BBC Wales documentary about him. He certainly deserves it. My very best wishes to his family.
Nick Jones, Crickhowell, Wales
Nick Jones, Crickhowell, Wales
I heared him a few years ago in the Royal Oak, with my friend the late John Payne, He was pure magic what a player !!! blew my mind, he will be jamming with all the greats' in heaven. louis fernandez, cardiff wales
I heared him a few years ago in the Royal Oak, with my friend the late John Payne, He was pure magic what a player !!! blew my mind, he will be jamming with all the greats' in heaven. louis fernandez, cardiff wales
Like hundreds of others I played in the 60s. I admired Micky then, and never stopped. His family will have some comfort from knowing that he is so well remembered and respected.Bob Williams, Pontardawe - Wales
Like hundreds of others I played in the 60s. I admired Micky then, and never stopped. His family will have some comfort from knowing that he is so well remembered and respected.Bob Williams, Pontardawe - Wales
