Acoustic Max

Max Milligan has been a performing guitarist since 1973 when he formed his first rock band GONDOLIN. Bass Guitar: Robert Felton, Drums: Trevor Riddy.



Between 1976-78 he backed numerous U.K. and U.S. artists at the Nitespot Cabaret Club Bedford. Some of the highlights were working with Matt Monroe, Diane Solomon and Georgie Fame.During that time he worked a great singer called Tony Wells who really helped him with composition and songwriting. Tony also got Max his first London sessions by booking him in at Olympic studios for some brown trouser moments! Around 1979 gained a chance to audition for The New Dakotas backing the Merseyside 60's legend Billy J Kramer. Billy's set included his 11 number one hits including several Lennon & McCartney songs. The Beatles were a huge influence on most musicians of this era He toured with the band for two years and managed to survive. There were some great players in the band over this time. Kit Morgan (Guitar) Dave Hammond (Keyboards) Jeff Taylor (Bass Guitar) Martin Wild on Drums (who went on to tour with The Monkees/ Alan Price Band).



During the 80's he joined the premier Soul/Funk band from Bedford OCEAN playing all over the UK working with bands like The Real Thing, The Foundations, Carl Douglas and Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. Max still gigs regularly with the lead singer of Ocean, Denny McCaffrey in the "Oblivious Brothers" check out the lost 70's soul album " Come On In" now salvaged and re-mastered for details and info go to www.dennymccaffrey.co.uk and enjoy. He is probably the most fertile man on planet earth!



From the late 80's followed countless sessions in the U.K. Olympic Studios,Townhouse, Battery, Battle and New York (Midi City , Madonna's studio 1987) working with producer Barry Upton on many projects including Hazel Dean, Steps, Waikiki and Shane Richie. Max has been teaching at the Guitar Institute, Acton, London since 1999. It moved to Kilburn in late 2006.



He continues his love of Jazz/ Funk and Blues playing in Nasuna with Dave Harvey (Bass) and Tony Morton (Drums) and J.B.Q. a Jazz/Blues Hammond organ quartet playing with Ron Chimes ( Small Faces) & Tom Mc Grath ( Van Morrison ). Max was also the dep. Guitarist for Geoff Whitehorn on the West-End musical 125th Street.

He has written many songs with the very talented singer Charlotte Henry, their songs were featured in virtuoso pedal steel player Sarah Jory's live album. Sarah now plays with Van Morrison, go Sarah!! My new tracks Brother ( demo) and Lemon Tree features Dario Cortese on acoustic guitar. He's an awesome player in any style. Check him out in my top friends.



Max also plays guitar for Cherry Lee Mewis, a fantastic young R&B/Blues singer. Her album "Little Girl Blues" was released in December 2007.

It's available at CD.Baby.com and i tunes. Max features on the new Cherry Lee Mewis CD "Southbound Train" due out in October 2009.



In July 2009 Max was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer, after major surgery at Bedford Hospital UK on 4th August he is making good progress and was given the all clear at the end of August. He thanks all his well wishers and looks forward to recording and playing live again.



For transcriptions ( "Song for Eric") and free lessons check out www.maxsguitarschool.co.uk and there is my first R&B guitar lesson at www.alloutguitar.com



If you want a transcription for "Song for Vicky" go to www.bedfordunplugged.co.uk where you'll find a pdf. file you can print out. For some free guitar lessons on line check out http://www.alloutguitar.com.



Max is always busy composing incidental music for T.V. companies, songwriting, teaching guitar at The Guitar Institute, London, The Music Centre Bedford and Bedford Modern School.



He is currently writing with U.K. singer songwriter Jayne Taylor ( Gabrielle, Liberty X. Sugarbabes, Ronan Keating. ) he is the musical director for the pilot of a new musical "Finding Daddy" written by Louise Roche and Jayne Taylor. and performing acoustic Blues gigs with John Verity www.johnverity.com ( Argent, Charlie, The Zombies. ) Their first CD "Unplugged and Unhinged" is on sale at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnverity2



If you just want to buy one track for 0.99$ go to :-

http://www.greatindie.com/ipnmusic/store/list.php?item_number=634479245268



And to all you guitarist:- " when in danger or in doubt, always whip your arpeggio out"



Check out Max's new CD "Homage", the perfect present for the one you love. To purchase in the U.K. click the Paypal Buy Now button below.



To purchase the CD worldwide and for digital downloads got to CDbaby below. Special Price to beat the credit crunch TEN DOLLARS!!



Here's a little video of me playing with Cherry Lee Mewis at the Viva Viva in London. The song is "Sweet Substitute".



Visit & Subscribe to Max's youtube page here!



KT Rocks!



Sheela's Smile: Work in progress.Hope you like it.



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Shetlands Blues Festival 2008 the whole band solo to finish a great show.



Cherry Lee Mewis live at Dannys Bar. Max Milligan on Acoustic Guitar, Nicky Slater-Dobro, Jeff Dakin - Blues harp. Andy Childs on bass and Tony Morton on kit.

In October 2009 Max was out promoting the new Cherry Lee Mewis CD, Southbound Train, amongst support gigs with Walter trout was this BBC Radio broadcast on the Sue Marchent show. Jeff Dakin on Harp,Rob Stewart-Matthews on Bass.