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Michael William Hugh Vernon, MBE

20 November 1944 – 2 March 2026

Known as the major catalyst in the development of British

blues, Mike Vernon was involved in the careers of a
plethora of British blues artists: Eric Clapton (with the
Bluesbreakers), David Bowie, John Mayall, Chicken

Shack, Savoy Brown, Duster Bennett, Ten Years After,

Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac and many more. He also
started the influential Blue Horizon label and worked

with American blues artists such as Otis Spann,
Champion Jack Dupree, Eddie Boyd and Sherman

Robinson.

While he enjoyed yet more success with the likes
of Focus and Level 42, it was in the 80's that

he stayed at the top-table with
production work with the likes of Mick

Pini, Blues N Trouble, Steve Gibbons,
Paul Lamb, Sherman Robertson, Innes

Sibun, Larry McCray, Jimmy Wither-

spoon, Dana Gillespie and The Hoax
and later in his post retirement work

with the likes of Oli Brown and Dani
Wilde.

His reputation for always staying in

touch with bands was key.

His retirement (in Spain) was filled

with his own (excellent) efforts as a
performer, fronting bands. In 2015

with Mike Vernon & Los Garcı́a (a

Spanish band from Sevilla) and later
with 'Mike Vernon & The Mighty

Combo’, a band of British musicians.

He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for

services to music and passed away on 2 March 2026 at the age of 81.

Ian K McKenzie