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Micki Free is a mixed blood Cherokee-Comanche Indian, and has thus “added” a new chapter in his life, having chosen to “walk the red path” of his heritage, as a proud and blessed Native American.
Gene Simmons, of the legendary rock group “Kiss”, discovered Micki while on tour in the Midwest. After moving to Los Angeles in the late eighties, Micki set in motion a career that would spawn three Grammy nominations with the group “Shalamar”, along with being managed by, and touring with Diana Ross, jamming with Prince, and playing guitar on Janet Jackson’s record.
THE INFAMOUS "HOLLYWOOD STORIES" SEGMENT BY CHARLIE MURPHY FROM CHAPELLE'S SHOWMicki Free is not a girl!
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Micki won the Grammy in 1985 for “Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture”; the movie was Eddie Murphy’s “Beverly Hills Cop”. During his stint with Shalamar, Micki received Three Platinum Albums for The Song “Footloose”, from the movie of the same name. Micki has also received a Gold album for his song “Don’t get Stopped in Beverly Hills”, on the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack.
HERE ARE SOME SHALAMAR VIDEOS FEATURING
MICKI FREE
"Dancin' in the Sheets" from Footloose for which Shalamar won a Grammy in 1985. (The saga continues.indeed)
After his stint with Shalamar, Micki went on to form his band “Crown Of Thorns” managed by his long time friend and mentor Gene Simmons, along with his partner from Kiss, Paul Stanley. Micki co-wrote all of the songs for this record and also co-produced the album with Paul Stanley.
After three tours of Europe, Japan, Sweden England, and America, Micki decide to go solo. The outcome was a CD written, produced and arranged by Micki. It is entitled “Black Moon Black Sun”.
Micki’s CD “~Micki Free/Gypsy Cowboy~ (a name given to him by fans in Europe and England) ~Electric Warrior~”, its blues-rock style is haunting and reminiscent of the late, great Jimi Hendrix. This awesome CD was nominated for 7 “Nammys”, and a finalist in three categories; “Debut Artist of The Year”, “Best Pop/ Rock Recording of The Year”, and “Best Male Artist of The Year”.
Micki Free was a special guest performer at The 5th Annual Native American Awards held in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 7, 2002, and went on to win the “Best Male Artist Award 2002”!
In addition, at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards, Micki was the winner of the "Best Pop/Rock Recording of the Year 2005 Award," for his work on The Nine.
Congratulations, Micki!
THE SUN~CHASER, Micki’s newest CD, a contemporary flute CD, on which Micki plays the Native American flute, Spanish guitar, and piano, is entitled “The Sun~Chaser” and received the 2003 Nammy nomination for Best Producer.
Micki was seen on the cover of “Indian Gaming Magazine” May issue 2002, along with a full page interview with Micki in their “Who’s Who” segment, and "Native Peoples" magazine featured Micki in their "On The Wind" news page in their September/October 2002 Issue, and the January 2003 issue of "Cowboys and Indians" Magazine contains an article on Micki Free.
Micki Free is also known for his historical ride down Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, as a “Native American Northern Plains Warrior” in “The Tournament of Roses Rose Parade. Micki and his paint horse “Ty-ee”, have been riding in the “The Tournament of Roses Parade" going on three years now; they ride as members of “The Spirit Of The West Riders”, led by historian Phil Spangenberger, (“The History of The Gun, on “The History Channel.)
The group rides for “The John Wayne Cancer Institute”.
A life member of “SASS” (the Single Action Shooting Society), a member of “CMSA”, (“Cowboy Mounted-Shooting Association”, and a “Champion Mounted Shooter”. Micki and his paint horse Ty-ee (meaning “Chief-Brings-Down The-Sun”), have starred in the last three years of SASS’s “Wild West” show riding as “Crazy Horse”. Micki has also starred with western actor Peter Sherakyo (Texas Jack Vermillion), in “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” at “The Autry Museum Of Western Heritage”. (You folks might know Peter from the smash hit western “Tombstone, also starring Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell.)
Micki and Ty-ee are members of “The California Desperados”, a mounted shooting club in southern California, and are four time champions in their division. You can also see Micki and Ty-ee on the History Channel. Micki is riding as the infamous Comanche Chief “Ten Bears”; the name of the segment is “The History of The Texas Rangers”.
Micki and Ty-ee have also been painted by world-renowned painter and artist Robert Tanenbaum, (The John Wayne Family and The Franklin Mint commissioned Tanenbaum to paint 24 portraits of John Wayne’s life). Micki and Ty-ee are a sought after team in southern California, and the world, for Wild West Shows, Parades, and most any other Equestrian event which shows style, and connection between horse and rider.
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