Biography

Mike Retallick, aka Southside Mike, was born in Toronto, Ontario and lived there until his early teens when he moved to Winnipeg to attend high school. Mike discovered music at a very early age, but it was during his time in Winnipeg that music became the driving force behind everything he did. There wasn’t much to do in Winnipeg during those years so he bought himself a bass and joined a rock band.

He was drawn by blues based rock bands such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix. Mike’s rock influences eventually turned him on to such Blues greats as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon. In 1983 another major influence came to Mike’s attention, which would be the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Mike felt that it was because of Stevie the blues would once more become popular.

In 1999 Mike traveled to Chicago, were he attended a jam session at Buddy Guy’s Legends, performing in front of Buddy Guy himself. “I got a chance to speak with Buddy and I found him full of incredible stories. To this day he continues to be a major influence on my music,” Southside Mike.

Since the beginning, Mike has played in numerous blues and rock projects with some incredible players. He has many wonderful memories and continues to share a lot of great moments with fellow musicians and the audiences he performs to.  Music for Mike is an ongoing adventure and he looks forward everyday to the continuing journey.