His interest in playing bass and singing came in the 6th grade after hearing the 1963 Kingsmen’s rock and pop hit “Louie, Louie” and 1964’s “Gloria” originally recorded by Van Morrison’s band Them. Playing in bands in high school, he never lost a battle-of-the-band’s contest. “We beat bands with players like The Eagle’s bassist.” Michael also stated, “I want to thank all of the parents who opened their garages and basements for us to practice in, all of our neighbors who kindly said they couldn’t hear the band playing and for everyone who drove us to the gigs.” Michael was only 13 at the time and no one had a car. His band was initially booked by Panther Productions of Chadron Nebraska, as well as Mid-continent entertainment of Lawrence, Kansas. He shared the stage with The Stone Ponies, Oliver, Lemon Pipers, Max Frost, Strawberry Alarm Clock and other one-hit-wonder bands from California that flooded the Midwest touring circuit every summer during the 1960s.
After high school, playing with The Shells of Time he covered a Chicago or Blood, Sweat and Tears-style music. With the 3-piece original rock band Mazhac, he opened for Styx. With The Rising Suns, he joined a show band with a horn section, costumes, and elaborate stage performances including backflips, touring the Midwest, Canada and California.
Joining White Wing, he toured with national performing artists throughout North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota and Canada. Their name became synonymous with great music and electric performances.  In 1975, White Wing landed a record deal with a Minneapolis label A.S.I. and released their self-titled debut album. “Hansa,” a single from that album, had massive radio airplay throughout the Midwest and Canada and hit the Billboard top-singles chart. White Wing albums began selling all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  White Wing left a mark in state rock history with the “founding of a progressive, distinct style that is still rare and treasured by a multitude of vinyl music collectors and progressive rock aficionados” according to the RRHOF website.
Asia recorded two independently released albums, Asia (1979) and Armed to the Teeth (1980), and released two singles, “The Road of Kings” and “Paladin.” Asia also backed up many major touring acts like Nazareth, Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet, Kiss, Bachman Turner Overdrive and toured extensively throughout the upper Midwest and parts of Canada until early 1982.
Meanwhile, in 1981, following the break-up of British progressive rock bands Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and King Crimson – all headliner names at that time – members of these groups came together to form their own band, also called Asia. In 1982, the British Asia, desiring to trademark their name, served the South Dakota Asia a “cease and desist order” from their manager Brian Lane. They forced radio stations to quit playing South Dakota Asia’s music, took their records off store shelves and filed lawsuits and other legal actions to prevent South Dakota Asia from using the name. The first lawyers South Dakota ASIA hired ran with their tails between their legs when they discovered they were confronting the British Asia’s high-powered lawyers. The South Dakota ASIA, who legally owned the name, wondered about a monetary settlement. Lane pitched a better deal saying he loved the South Dakota band’s sound and was willing to promote them, if they could work out a money exchange with Asia and change their name. Lane lied to them. He didn’t follow up in promoting them, the band received a minimal amount of money from the settlement, and a recording deal under a new name never happened. ASIA regrouped and performed as Solomon Kane.
In the late 80’s, Michael joined Midwest Coast, a top performing club band. With five lead singers, harmonies were unparalleled. The ability to change up the lead vocalist gave the group an edge on playing all genres of music. From current hits, to rock n roll, to soul and funk (often adding in trumpet and trombone), the band could fill any club owner’s needs.
Midwest Coast covered the Midwest playing at The Gaslight, The Alex Johnson, Dan’s Backporch, Toomey’s Mill, Holiday Inns throughout the state, Groveland, The Embers, Old Style Number 10, Dakota Territory Saloon and The Starlight, then onto Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Minnesota, the Pacific Coast and into Canada and across the ocean to Hawaii. Relocating the band to Southern California, the group’s popularity grew quickly and the band was hired in rotation for the nationally recognized Red Onion Nightclub circuit. The band opened for and worked with Edgar Winter, Lover Boy, Dionne Warwick, Elvin Bishop, Ronnie Montrose, Coco Montoya, KC & the Sunshine Band and Mickie Thomas of Jefferson Starship. Hired to perform with Elio Rota of Rota Max, Midwest Coast traveled to Seattle, Vancouver BC and Los Angeles working and recording for A&M. Corporate events for major companies included Ghirardelli Chocolates, Mondavi wines, Microsoft, Bongo, Coca Cola and the Disney Family picnics. Highlights included sponsorship by Coca Cola and playing on the Lollapalooza stage for the 1994 World Cup, the 1995 Super Bowl and a bandwagon party for a major presidential candidate! Regular gigs included Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm and a few side gigs with wet-t-shirt competitions, mud wrestling and dancers for ladies’ night! They did it all!
Briefly renamed Dakota Territory (as a nod to their South Dakota roots), the band entered and won The Jimmy Dean Country Music Showdown for the entire state of California. For the next 3 decades, with many reconfigurations, Midwest Coast made a living playing at weddings, bar mitzvahs, and private country clubs for famous athletes, TV and movie stars.
Michael English continues to write, sing, perform and inspire. Join him on this musical journey.