Michael Roberts Obituary: Charismatic Bridewell Taxis Singer Dies Aged 57
Michael Roberts, widely known as Mick, the charismatic singer of the Leeds-based band the Bridewell Taxis, has passed away in his sleep at the age of 57. His death marks the loss of a sensitive soul whose poetic lyrics vividly captured the struggles and vulnerabilities of working-class life.
Rise in the Indie-Dance Boom
The Bridewell Taxis emerged during the late 1980s and early 1990s indie-dance boom, alongside iconic bands like the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. Although they never achieved the same level of fame as their "Madchester" counterparts, the band garnered a dedicated following, including a young Liam and Noel Gallagher. They were championed by Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, who served as their executive producer.
Mick's heartfelt vocals, combined with Chris Walton's distinctive trombone, propelled the band to headline larger venues such as the 1,800-capacity Leeds Coliseum, now known as the O2 Academy. Their singles frequently charted on independent music lists, showcasing their growing influence in the scene.
Personal Life and Challenges
Born in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, Mick grew up in Cross Gates, east Leeds, as one of four children to a printer father, also named Mick, and a home care manager mother, Susan. He attended Corpus Christi Roman Catholic High School and married Samantha Cogger in 1987 at age 19, with whom he had a son, Christian.
After taking various short-lived jobs, Mick joined the band Morality Play, which was soon renamed the Bridewell Taxis after a local nickname for police vans. However, his career faced significant setbacks. A potential major record deal was scuppered by trouble at a London show, and a tragic incident in a Cross Gates pub, where Mick was stabbed in the throat while trying to stop a fight, led to reconstructive surgery and near-total hearing loss. This eventually caused the band to disband after releasing the compilation Invisible to You '89-'91.
Later Years and Legacy
Despite his deafness impacting his confidence, Mick continued to pursue his passions. He fronted a remodelled line-up called the Bridewells, releasing an EP, Smile in 1992, and an album, Cage in 1993, on Manzanera's Expression Records. Their final performance was filmed at Leeds Warehouse for ITV in April 1993.
Mick studied art at Thomas Danby College in 1999 and later managed the band's comeback tour in 2005, "feeling" the music through his feet. In 2013, a box set titled Bridewell Revisited was released, containing their complete output. His sister Lee noted that he was left "broken-hearted" after the sudden death of their younger sister Beverly last year but never stopped creating pottery, painting, and writing lyrics, leaving behind "crateloads" of words.
Mick and Samantha divorced in 2000 but remained friends. He is survived by his son Christian, his parents, and his sisters Lee and Amanda.
