12/18/2024
The Mulberry Tree has featured Michael and Tom’s music many times. I will continue to do so and, at some point in the near future will present a special segment to honor Michael. May he rest peacefully and his music live on! ♥️🎶
Is it with great sadness we must share that Michael Brewer passed away earlier today (12/17) having battled multiple illnesses for the past 3 years.
While best known for their Billboard Top-10 Hit, “One T**e Over The Line,” it was the duo’s masterful guitar work and signature harmonies that won them praise from critics and fans alike.
Brewer & Shipley’s vast catalog included 9 albums and 3 Billboard charted singles (“One T**e Over The LIne,” “Shake Off The Demon”) in addition to fan favorite “Witchi-Tai-To” (originally recorded by native American artist Jim Pepper). Michael Brewer and Brewer & Shipley songs have been recorded by a diverse group of artists, including: The Byrds, H.P. Lovecraft, Don McLean, The Dillards, Jonathon Edwards, Glenn Yarbrough, John Denver, The Seldom Scene, Stephen Stills, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and rocker, David Lee Roth among others.
Interestingly, the song which permanently etched their names in rock history by becoming an anthem of the 70's counter culture, was largely written in a backstage dressing room for fun. It soon thereafter made its live debut at Carnegie Hall when the duo was called out for a second encore and had run out of material. Upon hearing it that night, Buddah Records president Neil Bogart insisted that it be added to the then nearly completed album, “Tarkio.” Ultimately, the song reached the Top-10 despite being banned on many radio stations for its “controversial” lyrics. Ironically, the song was performed on the Lawrence Welk Show (by Gail Ferrell and Dick Dale) with the show’s namesake referring to it as a “modern spiritual.” This occurred as Vice Pres. Spiro Agnew specifically referred to the duo as being subversive to American youth which ultimately led to the act being included on President Richard Nixon’s enemies’ list.
“One T**e Over The Line” was mentioned in the first chapter of Hunter S. Thompson's novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” It has been utilized in several movies, including “Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas” (starring Johnny Depp) and “St. Vincent” (starring Bill Murray). It was also utilized in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.
At the height of their success, Brewer & Shipley could regularly be seen on many of the biggest television shows of the day, including: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The David Frost Show, Top of the Pops, The Dick Cavett Show, The Midnight Special and Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert among others.
Michael contributed harmony vocals on longtime friend Dan Fogelberg’s 1981 multi-platinum release, “The Innocent Age.” Fogelberg later produced Brewer’s 1983 solo album “Beauty Lies” and chose to release it on his label, Full Moon Records This album featured guest artists Linda Ronstadt and J.D. Souther.
Brewer & Shipley shared the stage with many of the biggest names of the era, including: Elton John, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, Electric Light Orchestra, Jethro Tull, Humble Pie, and Ted Nugent among countless others. They continued to perform throughout the country until 2020 when the onset of Covid 19 brought the touring industry to a halt.
Michael Brewer is an Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee (2018). Brewer & Shipley have been inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame (2005), the Missouri Music Hall of Fame and are recipients of the Folk Alliance International, “Spirit of Folk” award (2014) and BMI’s Million Spin Award.
Of Michael’s passing, Tom Shipley, Brewer’s longtime musical partner said, “Michael Brewer, my friend of 65 years and music partner for over 60, had to go. I saw him on Saturday and he told me he wanted to go home. I will raise a glass to Michael and drink to all those years, all those miles, all those songs, and all the heavenly audiences we played for. Go with God my friend. I'll see you on the other side.”
