Mike LeRoy
Mike LeRoy1937-2020 (born Michael Robinson-Learoyd; 18 March 1937) was a writer and singer.
Mike was the singer of the theme song to the 1965 film, A High Wind in Jamaica. He also sang 'with a little love' in 1970, which was subsequently used on the Attila the hun sketch of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Biography
Mike Leroy was born in Lupset, Wakefield. His father was in the RAF and his mother was a farmers daughter – His grandfather was the well known farmer and breeder of hunters – Mark Robinson of Driffield. His mother and father separated when he was seven and he went to live with his sister – brother and mother in the dales of Yorkshire (Arkengarthdale). The family moved to Croft in Yorkshire when he was eleven and it was there that Mike was awarded one of only two annual scholarships to Richmond School Yorkshire where he was a boarder until 18 years old. He entered into RAF aircrew in March 1955 for an eight-year term but resigned and left the RAF in March 1957 as he felt that flying was not his aspiration anymore.
His reference from his commanding officer said ' This man should do well in any field of activity which requires his initiative and powers of command' and when asked what his future plans were he replied 'I want to be a singer'.
Early career
Mike went to London after the RAF and became a well known troubadour playing his guitar and singing nightly in the clubs and restaurants of Chelsea and the West End of London. He was discovered this way and made his first record for Decca in 1961 under the name of ROY LEE.
He made his first contracted singing engagement in St Helier, Jersey in 1963 where he met his wife and he then went on to record with several labels in the sixties – EMI Columbia – CBS – MCA – and in 1965 he recorded the title song to the film 'A High Wind in Jamaica' for 20th Century Fox.
During the second half of the sixties Mike owned a bistro called 'The Strolling Guitar' in Hampstead and in 1969 he acquired and made famous the French Restaurant – night club CHEZ CLEO in Gloucester Road, London. Whilst owning this Club Mike continued to record and appeared in many TV shows such as Thank Your Lucky Stars – Lunchbox – Discs A Go Go – In 1974 he decided to move into the country and start a family and at this time took a break from singing – He settled near Ascot and took a lease on all the catering facilities at Shepperton Studios including the Pub and for the next five years, fed up to 1000 people every day.
At the same time he farmed pigs on his land at Ascot and bought property in Northampton and the North – these interests continued for a decade and then with his two children in mind Mike then, together with Kim and Nick Phillips, bought the famous Stubbington House School
In 1991 after finishing a lengthy spell in local government Mike was granted a COAT OF ARMS by the King of Arms following a petition to the Earl Marshall – with his crest and motto 'OMNIA FACIENDA’
After his two boys had finished their University education he decided to invest again in property and built up an extensive property empire most of which is now disposed of but some houses are still retained and run by the sons who also took over his Ascot Holding and turned it into the famous PALM HILLS Boutique Hotel and conference centre. When he and his sons disposed of his property holdings in 2015 - Mike retired - Deke carried on with his property development and Ross is now a successful Film Producer - Mike still writes screen plays and advises on property and Film Production.
During this latter period Mike also developed his writing skills and created the film story and script of THE SNOW PRINCESS which is in development in Los Angeles with Noble House Entertainments.
With three other film scripts completed and in development Mike decided to write and sing again after requests from his still loyal fan base and at this time is writing and recording his new album.
Mike sadly passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020
Discography
| Song Name | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Lies | 1961 | Decca |
| 500 Miles | 1964 | EMI Columbia |
| No One Knows | 1964 | EMI Columbia |
| I Forgot What It Was Like | 1964 | EMI Columbia |
| The Big City | 1964 | EMI Columbia |
| Girl, Girl | 1968 | CBS |
| Don't Seek a Love | 1968 | CBS |
| Diana | 1969 | CBS |
| Woman in my Life | 1970 | CBS |
| With a Little Love | 1970 | CBS |
| Holly Holy | 1971 | MCA |
| I Love You Because | 2010 | Gammaka |
| Common or Garden | 2011 | Mike Leroy Productions |
References
- IMDB "A High Wind in Jamaica (1965), Music Department, Sung by Mike Leroy" IMDB, 1965.
- Cab Kaye. "Back in London he began his second London career in Mike Leroy's "Chez Club Cleo" (Knightsbridge)", Wikipedia, 27 October 1970.
- NME "Mike Leroy, “500 Miles” / “Big City” (Columbia)", New Musical Express, 3 July 1964.
- NME "Derek Johnson reviews singles from: Armstrong; Ben E. King; Dennisons; Jimmy Young; Rocking Vickers; Jackie Wilson; Rockin' Berries; Mike Leroy; Bill Black" New Musical Express 2 October 1964.
- A High Wind in Jamaica. "Music Department", Wikipedia, 1965.