The Pirates

The Pirates

The Pirates are a UK rock band with a history that begins in the 1960s as a backing group for Johnny Kidd. In that role, they are linked to Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, whose best-known song is “Shakin’ All Over”. The group reforms in 1976 and is associated with pub rock, rock and roll, blues, rock, and rock ’n’ roll.

Line-up

The band includes Mick Green, Johnny Patto, Frank Farley, and Johnny Spence. The best-known line-up in the material includes Frank Farley, Johnny Spence, and Mick Green.

Style and influence

Mick Green plays guitar in a distinctive “choppy-style”, described as a way of combining lead and rhythm parts at the same time. His playing influences Wilko Johnson of Dr. Feelgood and Pete Townshend of The Who.

Background

The name The Pirates is also used by several other groups, including an Australian rock band and a short-lived British oi band from Nottingham, but the UK rock band is the version associated with the 1960s backing work and later reformation.