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[mixcloud]https://www.mixcloud.com/phoenixfm/interview-with-mike-stock-08-sep-2014/[/mixcloud]

Mike Stock IS the Stock in the hugely successful 80s hit makers Stock Aitken Waterman.

Mike is the most successful songwriter and music producer of all time (as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records) and the winner of many prestigious and international awards including eight Ivor Novellos.

I joined MIKE at his studios in beautiful West Sussex where we talked about his writing and his career in the 1980s.

The successes of S.A.W. in the 80s are too numerous to mention. The first #1 was with Dead Or Alive in March 1985 – I asked Mike if it ever got “normal”? He explained that the #1’s weren’t necessarily so exciting, he enjoyed hearing his songs on the radio when he wasn’t expecting it.

Here are some of the acts Mike worked with back in the 80s. We all remember Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, then there was
Mel and Kim
Bananarama
Sinitta
Rick Astley
Donna Summer
Hazell Dean
Princess

But he also had hits with England World Cup Squad
Sir Cliff Richard
W.W.F.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Mike explained how he thought music developed through the decade, and how he came to create auto-tuning.

In 1989 Mike wrote and produced over seven albums’ worth of material yet he is very modest about his achievements and is still waiting to produce his best song!

He’ll never retire! Mike is enjoying working with Shayne Ward on new material after 4 years working on the kids show “The Go!Go!Go! Show”. After touring and a stint at Alton Towers, the show is now on Nick Jnr.

I really enjoyed meeting Mike, he was generous with his time and showed me around the studio which was fascinating.

To know more about the “The Hit Factory: The Stock, Aitken and Waterman Story” – read Mike’s book that he wrote in 2003.