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Mick Cripps (guitar, bass, keyboards) 1985-1995, 1999-2001

Mick Cripps, 2001

Mick Cripps, Live 1999

Mick  Cripps lived in the UK for awhile before joining LA Guns.  Before LA Guns, he was in a band called Killer Elite.  He joined LA Guns in 1985 as their bass player, during the time that Paul Black was in the band.  When Paul left, LA Guns hired Phil, Mick switched to guitar (supposedly he had wanted to play guitar all along), and Kelly was recruited on bass.  Mick played the rhythm guitar and some keyboards on the band's first three (and most commercially successful) albums.  Mick is said to have written the music for a good bulk of LA Guns' most widely known songs like the ballad of jayne, rip and tear, it's over now, and kiss my love goodbye.  Mick also temporarily switched to bass on part of the Cocked & Loaded tour due to Kelly being in an accident.  In 1993, when LA Guns were on hiatus, Mick Cripps (on guitar)  formed Burning Retna with Nickey Alexander (who was later replaced by future Nine Inch Nails member Charlie Clouser).  Kelly Nickels would later be added on bass.  Burning Retna has since been featured on two compilations (through Cleopatra Records).  LA Guns re-formed in 1994, but Mick left LA Guns in the summer of 1995 (when Phil Lewis had left the band).  He then continued with Burning Retna for a short time.   In 1997, he reunited with Phil & Kelly to record the few cover songs that made up the first half of the Japanese-only release Hollywood Rehearsal.  Throughout the late 90's, he had worked for Cleopatra Records in the art department.    In early 1999, he reunited with his former LA Guns band mates to record Greatest Hits & Black Beauties, Mick hooked the band up with a deal with Cleopatra Records.  In late 1999 the band reunited for a tour that lasted through mid-2000.  Mick decided not to continue with the band as a touring member that summer but did end up working with the band on the Man in the Moon album in late 2000 and early 2001.  Mick did not tour in support of the album outside the Los Angeles area, he simply worked with the band on a more "behind the scenes" basis.  He has since gone on to work for a retirement magazine and concentrate on his family.  In late 2005, Mick brought up the idea to Tracii to reunite with Paul Black to do a show or two, but ended up backing out.  In June of 2006, Burning Retna's CD came out on Cleopatra Records Mick has a twin brother, Robert Cripps, who was in the band Demolition Galore in the late 80's/early 90's (I think he played bass).  Even though Mick is no longer in the band, he was involved with the band for a long time and had co-written a lot of material with them.  Mick's birthday is November 22.    Mick is featured on the following LA Guns releases: LA Guns, Cocked & Loaded, Hollywood Vampires, Live Vampires (EP), Cuts (EP), Vicious Circle, Hollywood-a-Go-Go (best of), Hollywood Rehearsal, Greatest Hits & Black Beauties/The Very Best Of, A Night On The Strip/Live Ammo, Cocked & Re-Loaded/Rip & Tear, Man in the Moon, Ultimate LA Guns/Golden Bullets, Winning Combinations (with Cinderella), Fully Loaded, 20th Century Masters, Love Peace & Geese (home video), & One More Reason (home video), Black List, Black City Breakdown, Hollywood Raw, & The Very Best of LA Guns. He is also featured on Burning Retna's "The Frozen Lies".

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