Mike Finnigan (born 1945) is an American keyboard player and vocalist, his specialty being the Hammond Organ.
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Finnigan has toured and sessioned for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Etta James, Sam Moore, Crosby Stills and Nash, Dave Mason, Buddy Guy, Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Maria Muldaur, Peter Frampton, Cher, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Tower of Power, Rod Stewart, David Coverdale, Tracy Chapman and Destruments. His recording with the group Finnigan & Wood entitled "Crazed Hipsters" is considered a midwest R&B/Rock cult classic. He recorded two solo records in the 70's, one notably with legendary rhythm and blues producer Jerry Wexler. He later collaborated with two other Columbia Artists, Les Dudek and Jim Krueger, with whom he formed DFK (Dudek, Finnegan, and Krueger) in 1978. Finnigan is also considered by many such as Jerry Wexler, Mavis Staples, Etta James, Stephen Stills. John Porter, Stephen "Doc" Kupka and Tom Wilson as one of most soulful vocalists ever. More recently, his work featured on the CD by The Finnigan Brothers (NashFilms Records), a collaboration with his younger brother Sean and founding member of Bread, Robb Royer.
He is twice a winner of the W.C. Handy Blues Music Award for his work with Taj Mahal as a member of the Phantom Blues Band.[1] [2]
Finnigan was born in Troy, Ohio in 1945. He attended University of Kansas on a basketball scholarship. He has been married to Candy Finnigan (INTERVENTION) for forty years. They have two children, Bridget and Kelly. The Finnigans live in Southern California.
Finnigan is also politically active as a liberal blogger, regularly contributing to the weblog Crooks and Liars.[3]