Michael Lee

Drummer | 1969 - 2008

World-class drummer who played with Led Zep's Page & Plant, The Cult and the re-formed Thin Lizzy

Michael Lee, who died at the age of 39 on Monday 24 November, 2008, had played with some of the best in the rock music business.

He was invited by Robert Plant - of Led Zeppelin fame - to work on the 1993 Fate of Nations album and the world tour of the same name.

He was born Michael Gary Pearson on 19 November, 1969, and began his professional career with Scarborough rockers Little Angels.

When Plant regrouped with former Led Zeppelin co-star Jimmy Page as Page and Plant in the mid '90s, Plant brought Lee into that band. He played on Unledded and the No Quarter album.

Plant was so impressed with Lee that when he recorded the Walking Into Clarksdale album with Page, Lee is credited as a co-writer on every song. A single from this album, Most High , won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1999.

Most recently Michael Lee had toured with Jeff Martin and played drums on Jeff's new solo album, Exile and the Kingdom .

The impressive list of bands and artists that Lee played with includes: ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Guns 'N' Roses, Lenny Kravitz, the re-formed Thin Lizzy, and Echo and the Bunnymen.

He also performed with The Cult founders Billy Duffy and Ian Astbury on their Ceremony tour.

Related tributes:
- drummer
- musician
- rock
- Led Zeppelin
Links:
- Wikipedia

Your Memories

I can't believe the news, I started Michael playing drums at school, he was a year younger than me but we hit it off and became great friends, I watched him get better and better and have fond memories of nights in at his mams house on Branksome Estate, Darlington.
I kicked him out the band for reasons I can remember but it was probably the best thing i ever did, look what he achieved, he played with my heroes.
What a terrible loss, its a very sad day. I would be grateful if anyone could get in touch with regards to the funneral, I would like to be there
my heart goes out to all the family

Michael Frankland
Stockton-on-Tees
Castlegate@ntlworld.com Mike Frankland — 26.11.2008

Michael will be dearly missed by his family he was a character and made every one laugh with his storys he used tell us about all the different people he had met on his travels. He got tickets for my son and his friends to go and see him play with Thin lizzy and invited them back stage to meet everyone. He then went to see my son play his drums with his band and thought he was a young version of himself and would go far with his career he also helped to get his 1st major drum kit. he gave away drum sticks and posters which are the biggest sticks we had seen. micheal helped jonny any way he could as he said thats what family is for. We will all miss him love bobby and julia xxxxxxxxx JULIA WELBURN — 26.11.2008

Michael Lee may have been a "rogue" to some but to others he was a sweet spirit and a gentle soul. Those of us who knew and loved him for who he was, not what the world wanted him to be, are deeply saddened at his untimely and premature death. His talent was exceptional but his world was not an easy one. Although his decisions were not always the best, I know that he is with God and at peace -- finally. Goodbye, dear boy.

ML's "American Mum" Carol Rollo — 26.11.2008