Me and My Yamaha – Mike Ketley

Name: Mike Ketley

Day Job: Senior Director YMUK Ltd

1) What got you into playing the guitar?

I left school at 17 and turned pro playing Hammond Organ in a band backing a guy Called Beau Brummell – our 1st record got to 29 in the charts – had a great time for a few years with several different bands then ended up with a band called Gethsemane – our lead guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull when we finally split after 7years together. I went home to Bognor Regis and got a “proper job” selling insurance and a local band called the Concords asked me to join them playing Bass guitar so I bought a Bass, learnt a few scales started gigging and that’s how it began for me playing Bass.

2) Which Yamaha guitar do you use?

I have two Yamaha Basses: A BEX 4 and an RBX270J

3) Why did you choose that model?

I used to use a BB model but sold it and bought the BEX which I think has such a classic and unique style and line - people always say what a great looking guitar wherever I go – I bought the RBX because I damaged my neck in a crash with one of the bands and the BEX get’s heavy after a while so I switch to the RBX which is fantastic as it is so light and compact.

4) How do the guitars fit in with the rest of your rig?

Great - I put RotoSound Black nylon bass strings on to both guitars which are just right for my style of playing and I use a 100watt old and battered Trace Elliot amp which gives me everything I need for the kind of gigs I do 60’s/70’ Pop, Rock. Soul and Blues.

5) What is the biggest gig you and your Yamaha have done together?

About 5 years ago one of the bands I played with had re-union and we played with 7 other bands at The Riverside Ballroom in Bognor Regis to around 1200 people. It was to raise money for the Chichester Hospice where a friend of ours called Barry Benson had died of throat cancer.
Originally he was PJ Proby’s hairdresser on tour but was a singer in his own right and had a top 20 hit in the mid 60’s. We were delighted to donate £5,500 from the profits of the night to the Hospice in Barry’s name.

6) If you could play in any line-up, of any band, playing any gig in history - what would it be?

Definitely The Cream at their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall in November 68. I became a fan when we supported them at the Marquee Club and Billy Walker’s The Upper Cut club in London, then went to see the farewell concert which was amazing – Jack Bruce is a hero – saw them again in their 2005 re-union gig at the RAH – Jack Bruce was even better than before but I guess that’s what a new liver can do for you !