Mike DiMeo

Mike DiMeo
Background information
Born (1968-11-29) November 29, 1968
Origin Long Island, New York, United States
Genres Alternative rock, Hard rock, Grunge, Alternative metal, Post-grunge, Heavy metal, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician, vocalist
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, drums, bass, mandolin, banjo
Years active 1994–present

Mike DiMeo (born November 29, 1968 in New York City) is a hard rock/heavy metal vocalist, best known for his work in the band Riot, which he left in late 2006. He recorded six studio albums and one live album with the group before departing to join Masterplan for the recording of MK II in 2006.

Deep Purple

Mike was still only known in the New York club scene, when he was asked by Ritchie Blackmore to join Deep Purple. In 1992, he recorded some demos with Roger Glover for The Battle Rages On record. The rest of the band decided, against Blackmore's wish, to reunite with Ian Gillan instead and the recorded demos have never been published.[1]

Riot

In the early 1990s DiMeo was playing heavily in the tri-state area with original band Josie Sang which also featured on guitar John Melendez currently on The Tonight Show. He was gaining a strong reputation as a singer and frontman which led to him being asked to join Riot as the new lead singer in 1994. DiMeo did several Japanese and European tours with them as well including an appearance at the legendary Wacken festival in Germany in 1998. His final recording with the band was the 2006 release, Army of One.

The Lizards

DiMeo joined The Lizards in 2005 and recorded three studio albums with the band. They also released a live DVD featuring recordings of their live performances from around the world including a performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2005.

Masterplan

DiMeo joined German power metal band Masterplan in 2006, and he recorded Lost And Gone EP and MK II with the band, and toured Europe opening for British metal band Saxon. They also toured Japan and played some European festivals before DiMeo announced his departure from the band via his Myspace page on January 11, 2009.[2]

Tenpoint

On August 8, 2008 DiMeo announced that he is working with a New York City hard rock band called Tenpoint. The band is preparing to release an EP and has already begun performing live and gaining a strong reputation in the New York area.

Midas Fate

DiMeo recorded the single "What Dreams May Come" with the band Midas Fate in late 2010. It was released in early 2011 and precedes the full-length album, which is already being recorded, and is expected to be released in 2013. In May 2013 it was announced that the former Angra drummer, Aquiles Priester, had joined Midas Fate. The album Magnificent Rebel is set to be released in November 2013.

Johnny Winter

Mike DiMeo was the session keyboard player for Johnny Winter's 2011 album Roots.[3] He contributed piano, electric piano, and hammond organ on many of the tracks. Roots featured special guests Vince Gill, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Sonny Landreth, and others. DiMeo performed live with the Johnny Winter band for the CD release party at B.B. King's in New York City.

Dimeo was the keyboard player on Johnny Winter's last studio album. Step Back. It features performances by a number of guest musicians, including Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Joe Perry from Aerosmith, and Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats. It was released by Megaforce Records on September 2, 2014. As on Winter's previous studio album, Roots, the songs are mainly blues standards.

Step Back was released posthumously. Winter had finished recording the album, and then played a concert tour in Europe, before he died on July 16, 2014. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts for Blues Albums and Independent Albums, and at #17 on the Billboard 200. Step Back won the Grammy Award for Best Blues Album at the 2015 Annual Grammy Award.

Vinnie Moore

DiMeo was the keyboard player and vocalist for UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore during his 2010 European solo band tour. Other performances with Moore have since included New York City's legendary jazz club The Iridium, and the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

Phenomena

DiMeo was the vocalist on The Sky Is Falling, a track on Tom Galley's 2010 Phenomena album, Blind Faith.[4]

Other Artists

Australian power metal band Ilium has announced that DiMeo will be the featured vocalist on their upcoming release.[5] Their newest album, Ageless Decay, was released on June 26, 2009.[6] In 2010 DiMeo appeared on debut album Tears Of White Roses of Czech melodic power metal band Sebastien. Album was released on November 19 via Escape Music.

Work with other artists

DiMeo sometimes tours with other artists playing keyboards and singing background vocals. He has made several appearances with Tommy James and The Shondells, whose hits include "Mony Mony", "Crimson and Clover" and "Draggin' the Line". He has done two North American tours with Bonnie Tyler whose hits include "It's a Heartache" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart". He is also a member of The Groove Kings, featuring guitar player Andy Aledort who is a member of the Dickey Betts Band Great Southern.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Metallian: Riot
  2. ↑ Mike Dimeo Leaves Masterplan
  3. ↑ Mike DiMeo Roots Interview
  4. ↑ Tom Galley - Phenomena
  5. ↑ Mike Dimeo Joins Tenpoint
  6. ↑ Tenpoint's new album, Ageless Decay
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