Michael William Maxfield (23 February 1944 – 2 December 2023) was an English composer, songwriter and guitarist, who came to fame as a member of
The Dakotas
The Dakotas, also known as simply Dakota, is a collective term for the U.S. states of North Dakota and South Dakota. It has been used historically to describe the Dakota Territory, and is still used for the collective heritage, culture, geo ...
. Born in
Manchester
Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...
, England, he composed their song "
The Cruel Sea", which was also recorded by
The Ventures
The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson (musician), Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar acro ...
(see
The Ventures discography).
Whilst residing in Heaton Moor, Manchester, Maxfield's daughter Lucy (age 9) was tragically struck by a car and killed in 1997. After donating her organs, Lucy's life went on to save several others. In 2006 Maxfield suffered a serious stroke leaving him wheelchair bound and ending his career as a musician. After developing complications from dementia Maxfield died in December 2023, at the age of 79. He leaves behind his wife Merle Maxfield.
Collaboration
Other acts with which Maxfield has collaborated include:
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George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin (3 January 1926 – 8 March 2016) was an English record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, and musician. He was commonly referred to as the "fifth Beatle" because of his extensive involvement in each of the Beatle ...
*
Coffin Daggers
*
Les Champions
*
The Challengers
Notes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/642626.stm
External links
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1944 births
2023 deaths
English male songwriters
English pop guitarists
English male guitarists
Musicians from Manchester
The Dakotas (band) members
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