Buying a guitar in a pawn shop, he learned how to play from a street musician and by 24 had formed his own combo. He recorded on sessions for several artists on Savoy, King and Atlantic Records (Including Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and "Money Honey" from the Drifters) before deciding to form a duo of his own with Sylvia Vanderpool. Mickey taught her to play guitar and paired up with her in 1955 on a series of recordings- eight of which charted pop, including "Love Is Strange" (#11-1957), "What Would I Do" (#46-1961) and "There Oughta Be A Law" (#47-1957).
By 1962 their recordings stopped charting and Mickey moved to Paris, where he continued recording in the jazz vein that was his first love. Sylvia had a successful solo career in the mid-70s including "Pillow Talk" (#3-1973). Mickey received the Pioneer award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 53rd greatest guitarist of all time.
