1. Mick Karn said in an interview that as tensions with their record company had abated following Japan's commercial success, band members began focusing on personal differences rather than on the common enemy.
12 Facts About Mick Karn
1. 2.
Mick Karn played bass guitar and saxophone on Gary Numan's 1981 No 6 hit "She's Got Claws" and other tracks on its parent No 3 hit album, Dance.
3.
In November 1982, Mick Karn released his first solo album, Titles, just as Japan had announced their split.
4.
In 1982, Mick Karn wrote some material with Michael Finbarr Murphy, guitarist and writer for Heatwave, Alan Murphy of Level 42, and Diana Ross, among others.
5.
That same year, Mick Karn appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test along with Angie Bowie, former wife of David Bowie.
6.
Mick Karn contributed to recordings by other artists, playing bass guitar on Bill Nelson's Chimera mini-LP as well as "Heads We're Dancing" from Kate Bush's The Sensual World and with Joan Armatrading.
7.
Mick Karn played at least one concert with Pete Townshend that featured an all-star line-up, including Phil Collins and Midge Ure.
8.
The project was cut short as Mick Karn had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
9.
Mick Karn played an aluminium-neck Travis Bean bass on all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids.
10.
Mick Karn recorded Japan's last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and had continued to use these, along with a headless Klein K Bass.
11.
In June 2010, Mick Karn announced on his website that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, although the specific type of cancer was not mentioned.
12.
The website announcement stated that Mick Karn had been struggling financially for some time and appealed for donations to help pay for his medical care and provide financial assistance for his family.