Kevin Keys (1983-1998)

A Solo Career: A new challenge in May 1983, Kevin adopts a new stage name, "Kevin Keys", and under the management of John Bridges of Dukeries Entertainments, Kevin begins his solo career. Initially, because of the financial problems left by his previous group Reactor, Kevin had a limited amount of equipment at his disposal but made the most of it for 18 months whilst he designed the computer hardware and software to accomplish his dream. That dream was to take the functions of a whole group by himself with the assistance of the emerging technology. The timing couldn't have been better. Sequential Circuits Inc. and the Roland Corporation of Japan had just agreed on a new musical computer interface standard ( M.I.D.I. ) in 1983 and this was the breakthrough he needed. Kevin designed an interface for a popular new home computer the Amstrad CPC-464, and wrote the software which became his sequencer. Attached to this MIDI interface as soon as they became available were his "Drummer", a Sequential Circuits Drumtrax and a Sequential Circuits 610E Keyboard which would be his "Bass Player." With the Bass and Drums taken care of in this manner, Kevin could select all the patterns in Real-time by the use of foot-switches and other gadgets. This gave him the flexibility to perform the songs differently each night and develop them as in a group. Kevin quickly progressed and built up a very large following around the Midlands and North East of England.

1983 ... The Start 1984 ... The New 'Look'

Kevin Keys 'Live' on Stage at the "Inn on the Park", West Park, St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. 1986

T.V. Work: Kevin was also busy appearing in various TV programmes for the BBC, ITV and Cable TV, with parts in "Auf Wiedersehen Pet", "Hard Cases", "About Face", "Boon", "ITV's Telethon '88" and many others. Jersey: Kevin worked in Jersey, for a season at one of the island's most prestigious Nightspots .. "The Inn on the Park", situated on the seafront of the island's capital St. Helier. It was such a success that he returned for another season to help promote the opening of a new winebar "The Boulevard", within the "Inn of the Park" complex.

"Under Cover"

After returning from Jersey in 1988 Kevin supported many big-names including, "The Sweet", "Mud", "Jimmy James", "Ivy League", "Jigsaw." & "The Grumbleweeds". Live T.V. Kevin also played keyboards for Derbyshire cult-heros "Brian the Miner & the Flying Pit-Props" on a 'live' transmission from Yorkshire T.V. Studios in Leeds, for the Nationwide ITV Telethon '88 playing their new single "Spanish Eyes." Album: In 1989 Kevin recorded an album entitled "Under Cover" which featured 10 cover versions of songs from his stage show at that time. The Album has since sold more than 5,000 copies.

M.M.S. Recording Studio Control Room, 'Under Cover' was recorded here in 1989

Magic Mind Systems: During 1989 and 1990 Kevin devoted considerable time and effort into designing and manufacturing an updated version of the computer operated stage lighting controller that he used in his group "Reactor", almost 8 years ago. "Alan Carby", keyboard player with a group called "The Actors" encouraged Kevin to develop a MIDI operated unit that could be controlled either by a remote keyboard or via a sequencer since it was what his band needed and there was nothing available commercially. Alan, became one of the most important people in making this product a commercial success, since he acted as both tester and user during the early development of the unit. Then in the autumn of 1990 the "MMS Midilight" was born. And soon afterwards, there followed a real-time editor using the power of an ATARI ST Computer.

The Christmas of 1992 saw Kevin take his place as Musical Director of Paul Elliott's production of Babes in the Wood at Southport Theatre. The show featured an all-star T.V. cast, "Frazer Hines" and "Christopher Chittell" (Emmerdale Farm), "Jon Iles" (The Bill), "Eileen Pollock" (Bread) and "Debbie Andrews" (Brookside). The Kevin Keys 'Live' Video was recorded in 1994 and featured a wide range of music from his stage act. Kevin has continued touring extensively, despite the success of his other projects. Throughout the eighties and nineties, technology has marched on, the pace increasing exponentially, but Kevin's passion still remains in the emerging technologies. He will continue to develop Magic Mind Systems, and he has recently developped an increasing fascination with the French Language and their way of life. Who knows what the future may hold? (See Kevin Keys Now !)

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Last Updated 16th November 1998