Mel Galley

Melville John Galley (8 March 1948 – 1 July 2008) was an English guitarist, best known for his work with Whitesnake, Trapeze, Finders Keepers and Phenomena.

Mel Galley
Background information
Birth name	Melville John Galley
Born	(1948-03-08)8 March 1948 Cannock, Staffordshire, England
Died	1 July 2008(2008-07-01) (aged 60) Heath Hayes and Wimblebury, Staffordshire, England
Genres	Hard rock, funk rock, pop rock, blues rock, progressive rock, heavy metal
Occupations	Guitarist
Years active	1967–2008
Formerly of	Finders Keepers Trapeze Whitesnake Phenomena

Biography

Mel Galley (first from left) as part of Whitesnake in 1984

Galley was born in Cannock, Staffordshire on 8 March 1948. While a member of Whitesnake, he badly injured his arm in an accident at a fairground in Germany and had to leave the band, as he was unable to play the guitar because of nerve damage as a result of incompetent surgery.^[1] Later he became known for playing with "The Claw", a specially developed spring and wire device fitted to his hand which enabled him to play the guitar again. Together with his brother Tom Galley and Wilfried Rimensberger, he was a founding member of Phenomena^[2] where his songwriting and guitar playing skills had a major impact on its success.

On 7 February 2008 Galley revealed that he was suffering from oesophageal cancer, and had only a short time to live.^[3]

"I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, and played with many great musicians. And I have enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me".

Galley died on 1 July the same year at the age of 60.^[4]

Discography

With Finders Keepers

"Sadie, The Cleaning Lady" (single) (1968)

With Trapeze

• Trapeze (1970)
• Medusa (1970)
• You Are the Music...We're Just the Band (1972)
• The Final Swing (1974)
• Hot Wire (1974)
• Live At The Boat Club (1975)
• Trapeze (1975)
• Hold On a.k.a. Running (1978)
• Live in Texas: Dead Armadillos (1981)
• Welcome to the Real World (1998)
• High Flyers: The Best of Trapeze (1996)
• Way Back to the Bone (1986)
• On the Highwire (2002)

With Glenn Hughes

• Play Me Out (1977)

With Whitesnake

Mel Galley (to the left of singer David Coverdale) performing as part of Whitesnake in 1983

• Saints & Sinners (backing vocals only) (1982)
• Slide It In (1984)
• Live in 1984: Back to the Bone (2014)

With Phenomena

• Phenomena (Bronze 1985)
• Phenomena II "Dream Runner" (RCA 1987)
• Phenomena III "Inner Vision" (1993)
• Psychofantasy (Escape 2006)
• Blind Faith (Escape 2010)

With Cozy Powell

• Octopuss (1983)