Can't believe that I'm reading this. It was only a few days ago he came into my mind, and I was wondering how he was, having not seen him since 1993, and I am deeply saddened to learn of Mick's passing.
I first got to know Mick in 1982 after visiting one of his nites in the West End of London. We got chatting, and I bought a few records from him. Ever since then, we'd keep in touch by phone, enjoy a beer at various clubs, and share numerous jokes, most of them blue (of course). My best memory of Mick's outspokenness was at a club in North London, where he was guest DJ. One mod went up to him and requested some Rolling Stones. The next thing I know, he's faded out the record he was playing with "Listen, I've come here to play good soul music tonight, not f**king s**t like The Stones, The Who or The Kinks, and if you don't like it then f**k off"!
Mick was also a keen UK collector, and had some very lovely bits in his collection. I remember going through his record shelves when he lived with his mum in Windsor in the early 80s, and he had some jaw-dropping items then. Around this time, his tastes moved into modern soul - a direction none of us thought he would ever take!
As said, I haven't seen or heard of Mick for 23 years, due to other commitments on both sides, but I always considered Mick a very good friend in the 12 years I knew him personally.
An all-round top man with a generous heart, a wicked sense of humour, and a great collector and DJ. Rest in peace, big man.