Adam Mitchell
Adam Mitchell is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, producer and musician, whose songs have been recorded over 150 times in different languages and genres by legendary artists including Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Merle Haggard, Bonnie Tyler, Olivia Newton-John and Waylon Jennings.
His most notable musical venture was collaborating with KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons on four of the band’s albums in the 1980s. These included ‘Hot in the Shade’ and ‘Crazy Nights’, the title track of which became an international hit and huge commercial success for KISS in the UK. Released in 1987, “Crazy Crazy Nights” proved to be the rock band’s highest-charting UK single, peaking at #4. Along with Gene Simmons and Eric Carr, Mitchell also co-wrote “Dial ‘L’ for Love”, a song that went unreleased from the ‘Crazy Nights’ sessions but was eventually featured on Carr’s posthumous album ‘Unfinished Business’.
Mitchell first started writing folk songs while at university in the early-60s before joining The Paupers as lead singer, and the group’s songwriter, until 1968. After a short break from writing, he moved to LA in 1976 to pursue his career as an artist, quickly signing a record deal with Warner Bros and releasing the solo LP, ‘Redhead in Trouble’. The album contained several country-pop tracks which went on to be popularized by others, such as “French Waltz” by Nicolette Larson, “Dancin’ Round and Round” by Olivia Newton-John and “Out Among the Stars” by Waylon Jennings.
Mitchell’s partnership with KISS paved the way for other great rock and heavy metal collaborations throughout the late 80s, 90s and early 2000s including E-ZO, Doro, Black ‘N Blue, Hurricane, Little America and Skull. He also contributed to the track “A Matter of The Heart”, sung by Bonnie Tyler, for the 1986 US action-fantasy film The Wraith, starring Charlie Sheen.
In addition to his work as a composer, Adam is currently writing a new screenplay, recording his latest album and is Chairman of the Songwriters Guild of America; an organisation instrumental in fighting for the rights of songwriters globally as well as organising charitable events to raise money for music institutions like Belmont University.
To read our exclusive interview with Adam, click here.